The recipe for winning starts with a 5-foot-8-inch junior from Fort Thomas, Ky.

Add together… The recipe for winning starts with a 5-foot-8-inch junior from Fort Thomas, Ky.

Add together a fiery competitor’s attitude and the brains to major in business marketing, along with a love for punk bands and football. Mix it together with an obsession for Rice Krispies treats, and what is the result?

Pitt middle hitter Lindsey Macke.

After only starting two matches a year ago behind All-conference star Carrie Norris, Macke has evolved as a staple on this year’s volleyball team, which is making a run toward the Big East and NCAA tournaments, two places the Panthers haven’t been since 1994.

“Lindsey is about leadership, confidence and a winner’s mentality. She just gets good players to play better,” head coach Chris Beerman said. “She brings out the best in her teammates. Sometimes she is an antagonist, but everyone knows she is all about winning.”

She attended high school at Notre Dame Academy in Kentucky, where she helped her team to four consecutive district and regional championships. Macke’s team twice finished as the state runner-up, during her sophomore and senior seasons.

Now, in her first year as a starter at Pitt, the Panthers are off to their best start in years, with a record of 16-3, including winning their last ten matches in a row. Even though her team-leading 13.58 assists per game are pivotal, Macke understands that you win and lose as a team.

“It’s really a team effort, if you look at our stats. Everyone is contributing; there is no star player. We have a lot of outlets, and we have a great bench, too.”

Off the court, Macke has a confident, fun-loving personality that has earned her friendships and respect from both coaches and teammates.

“Off the court, she is a great person. She is very funny and she is always willing to help you if you ever get in trouble,” said teammate Megan McGrane, the Panthers starting libero. “Lindsey has always been there for me, and I know she always will be.”

Macke doesn’t have to worry about throwing touchdowns or interceptions, but Beerman says she is their team’s quarterback and she handles the pressure like a professional.

“Macke is a real confident person. She almost has a strut. She is like our quarterback,” Beerman said. “You don’t want your quarterback to lack leadership or charisma. When I think about her off the court, I think confidence.”

Although Macke is only a junior and has one more season after this one with the Panthers, she has already started to consider her future in the business world. Lindsey would like to attend graduate school but most likely it will be back home in Kentucky. Her main interests lie in marketing and travel.

When Lindsey is away from volleyball, she spends a lot of time trying to keep her grades up, which is something she also stressed in high school. At Notre Dame Academy, she was named a “Who’s Who among High School Students,” was part of the National Honor society and was on the honor roll.

Macke’s parents attend as many games as possible, driving in on the weekends to catch the matches at the Fitzgerald Field House. Even though she does miss home, her decision to come to Pitt wasn’t very difficult. One of the many things that drew her to Pitt from Kentucky was that the campus is part of a big city, and with a big city comes plenty of opportunities to keep busy.

“Kentucky is a great state; I love it, but I do love this campus. I love being near the city and always having something to do.”

On the court, Macke and the Panthers are in search of their first Big East tournament championship in almost a decade and a trip back to the NCAA tournament as well. The Panthers are just getting into the thick of their Big East schedule with matches against Virginia Tech on Oct. 31 and Miami on Nov. 2 on the road. They will end the regular season against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on Nov. 16 at the Fitzgerald Field House.

Macke hopes that the success of the team combined with the quality of opponents coming to Pitt to play the Panthers will increase the attendance at games, something that she personally feeds off of.

“[Attendance] has been a lot better here at Pitt than before. The crowd has a big part to do with how intense you are during the game.”

Ultimately, it makes no difference to Macke how many seats are filled come game day. The only thing she is concerned with, once she puts her uniform on, is supporting her teammates, building their confidence and ending the match the only way she knows how – as a winner.