Down by two, game point. The Cougar volleyball team looks for a savior. With a game on the line, it’s win-or-lose.
Mattie Shelford lives for these moments.
“I love being in high-pressure situations,” Shelford said. “I consider myself a pretty competitive person. I thrive off those environments, but I think [sitting on the bench] is equally as fun, possibly more stressful.”
For the past two years, the senior from Snohomish, Washington, has led the team in total kills, and last year led the Cougars in points, racking up a total of 350.5 points. Last year, she was named to the Second Team All-PacWest and was voted to the All-PacWest Academic Team in her sophomore and junior years.
“Volleyball is team-oriented, so it’s hard for me to take full credit for doing any of that,” Shelford said. “I can’t get any of my kills if my setters don’t put up…good sets or if my teammates don’t dig the ball. It’s one of those things where I work hard to honor the hard work they’ve done.”
Shelford switched positions from the left to the right side of the offense during her freshmen year. While the transition took some time to adjust to, Head Coach Chris Keife saw Shelford’s untapped potential.
“That [position change] threw me off, because it’s completely different,” Shelford said. “It’s almost like playing a mirror image of the same position….But once it actually clicked, it has been really fun. I am really glad that he moved me, because it gave me a fresh start.”
Her development into an elite attacker has increased the trust that her team places in her. She has become the go-to person for help on the court, because her teammates know that she can handle the pressure and do the job well.
“She is a consistent volleyball player, so she is always looking to sustain her level of play throughout the whole season or in a match,” Keife said. “If…a player [is] struggling they can always look to Mattie to help score a point.”
Shelford’s role as captain has helped transform the demeanor of the team.
“She never quits,”said freshman setter Bailey Hennington. “We need someone like that on our team and she’s always the go-to person.”
Shelford’s leadership has also contributed to the teams cohesion off the court.
“Off the court we have such a good relationship,” Shelford said. “Whatever anybody needs, people are always there. That’s the culture that I think distinguishes us specifically from any other team I’ve seen. We really want the best for each other in every way possible.”
As a senior, Shelford understands her role in mentoring and guiding freshmen and newcomers.
“It’s sad to think that I’m not going to be here next year, but it’s also cool to look at the [others] because they are the team next year,” Shelford said. “There is definitely a [sense of] pride when you look and you can see the future of the team. You can only get that when you’re a senior.”
After graduating, Shelford, a liberal studies major with a history minor, hopes to move back to Washington and teach middle school history.
She recorded a team high of 227 kills in 18 games this season. The team traveled to Hawaii last week where they won all three of their matches.