Liz leaves Aggie legacy
Few volleyball players at Utah State have matched the skill of Liz McArthur, if any.
Originally from St. George, the senior outside hitter said she chose Utah State because of how inviting it was and the feeling she had while visiting. Four years later, McArthur will leave behind a legacy of achievements not many Aggies have obtained.
McArthur has won multiple awards for Most Valuable Player from the 2010 Western Athletic Conference Tournament, the 2010 Utah Classic, the 2010 Arizona State Sheraton Classic, and the Fiesta Bowl Tournament.
She has also won awards for WAC Player of the Week, Academic all-WAC, and one Collegiate Volleyball Update National Player of the Week award. She’s also an All-American.
Needless to say, McArthur has left her mark on Utah State.
Heading into the 2011 WAC tournament, McArthur ranks second all time at USU in attempts and third all time in kills, needing 40 more kills to move into second place.
She also ranks eighth in career service aces at Utah State with 97 and needs two more in order to move into sixth place all time.
While it was initially McArthur’s arm that led Utah State head coach Grayson DuBose to recruit her, he said it is her dedication and consistency that has impressed him for the past four years.
“She could hit the ball hard,” DuBose said. “She understood that being an outside hitter was about going and taking a big swing. It was a no-brainer.”
DuBose said he felt it was McArthur’s work ethic that set her apart from other players. He offered her days off when she broke her foot during her junior year, but McArthur declined and continued to practice.
“She is a tough kid,” DuBose said. “She plays hard, she works hard, she plays through pain and has been a great role model for our younger players.”
McArthur has achieved many great things athletically, but it is her academic and personal legacy that many would say sets her apart. The things she’s learned off the court are what McArthur cherishes most.
“It has been such a huge part of my life,” McArthur said. “I’ve learned so much off of the volleyball court, which is the most important thing. Those are the things I am going to take with me for the rest of my life.”
Shay Sorenson, junior outside hitter and co-captain alongside McArthur, said she feels the All-American set an excellent model for others to follow, both on and off the court.
“She is such an example to everyone in how to manage school and volleyball,” Sorensen said. “She is a really good example of how to manage your time. She is a really great student, and she has one of the highest GPA’s on our team.”
It is the academic example that McArthur hopes future Aggies will follow and said she wants others to see how they can be successful students as well as athletes.
“(Hard work) is something everyone can control,” McArthur said. “You can always work hard and work for things, and I hope that’s the legacy I’ve left behind, being a good student. That’s what this is about.”
Having been named to the academic all WAC team for the past three seasons, and earning College Sports Information Directors of America academic All-District awards in both 2010 and 2011, it’s safe to say that McArthur has provided that example.
Last season the Aggies became only the third team to win the WAC tournament, upsetting No. 3 Hawaii in straight sets in the final. McArthur was named tournament MVP and will never forget that match, and feels that it was the team’s greatest achievement during her four years.
“Being an All-American is a big deal,” McArthur said. “It says a lot about our team. Winning the WAC championship was huge for our team. That was really fun.”
It has been four great years for McArthur, and the team will undoubtedly miss having her leadership and influence on the court.
So what’s next after graduation?
McArthur plans to head for Thailand on a two-month humanitarian trip.
“It’s through a program called HQ volunteer,” McArthur said. “My friend actually found out about it because she went to Africa two years ago and wanted to do another one. I’ve never been able to because of volleyball, and so I’ve always wanted to do something like that.”
During her two-month stay in Thailand, McArthur will help teach English to children and help with other community projects.
“We’ll be living in huts in a village,” McArthur said. “It will be crazy, but I’m so excited to go over there. It will be an adventure, My family travels a lot and I’ve never been to able to go there, and I’ve always wanted to go to Thailand.”
McArthur isn’t sure what lies in store after Thailand, but is optimistic for the future.
“I’ve had such a great experience,” McArthur said about her time in Logan. “I’ve made such amazing friendships that are going to last forever, and that is so huge for me. I’m so excited.”
– curtis.lundstrom@aggiemail.usu.edu