Nov. 22, 2002
By Jeff Kemper
Media Relations Student Assistant
Be on the lookout for people like Loretta McGovern. With the passion and competitive spirit that McGovern has, she is defiantly one to watch.
McGovern is a sophomore outside hitter from Kansas City and is in her second season with the Tigers. She is a journalism major with an emphasis on broadcasting.
"I chose MU for its outstanding journalism school," McGovern said. "Volleyball was just a bonus."
Between volleyball and the challenging classes the MU Journalism School has to offer, one would think that it would be hard for McGovern to manage her time. She says otherwise.
"I have to do it on my own without someone watching over me," she said. " I know, however, that the coaches support me 100 percent in whatever academic endeavors I choose."
She joined the Tigers last season after a stellar high school career at Notre Dame de Sion High School in Kansas City. She was a second team all-metro selection as a senior in 2001. In 1999, McGovern was nominated for the Kirkwood Volleyball Association all-state team.
McGovern was a National Merit Scholar Commended Student, a member of the National Honors Society and received first honors at de Sion for maintaining a 3.8 grade point average or higher.
When she entered the Tiger program last year, she was not quite sure what to expect. She credits Lisa Morris as her guardian, so to speak.
"Lisa took me under her wing and protected me, while guiding me in my maturing as a player.
"Lisa has struggled through a career riddled with injuries," she said. "But the way she still supports the team, makes me want to support them just as much, even though I may not be out there."
McGovern, who prepares for each match by listening to loud music, credits the hard work of the team's three senior leaders, as one of the main reasons for MU's success.
"I am inspired by the work ethic of Kat (Wingert)," she said. "She works so hard and it must really hurt to have her season interrupted both this year and last (due to injury). When I came here last year, I was originally scared of Kat because she pushed me, then I realized that she pushed all of us the same."
One of the more popular players on the team, many of her teammates have identified McGovern as the funniest player on the team.
McGovern's favorite aspect of volleyball is blocking and against the No. 5 ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers on Oct. 9, she recorded two block assists.
She has concentrated this season on quickening her armswing and developing as a player overall.
In her first season at MU, the Tigers were 20-11 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. As the end of her second regular season nears, McGovern is looking forward to another trip to the post season.
"I hope that we will be able to advance further into the NCAA Tournament. The seniors have really been our leaders and they really deserve this last hurrah."
With the success that Missouri has had so far this season, McGovern and the Tigers have a good shot at providing that last hurrah for the seniors.
And with McGovern only a sophomore, the future for her and the Tigers looks bright.