The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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FEBRUARY 2022 THE WOLVERINE 17 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Senior Abbey Malinowski and her volleyball teammates wrapped up an 18-12 campaign that ended with an NCAA Tournament loss to Ball State Dec. 3. It was the end of what had been a pretty unusual 2021 for them. The 2020 campaign was pushed to the spring of 2021, meaning that Ma- linowski and the Wolverines played two seasons in under a year. COV- ID-19's impact was felt, and it helped build character for the fall campaign. That was a lot of volleyball in a con- densed amount of time. However, it did not impact Malinowski or her peers. The Clarkston, Mich., native was one of a school-record 171 student- athletes to make the Academic All-Big Ten team this fall. Winners must be in their second academic year at their institution and maintain a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. All 14 U-M volleyball players who were eligible made the list. The others were three freshmen and one transfer student who were all ineligible based on their designation. The honorees were: Malinowski, seniors Paige Jones, Grace Persson and Lizzie Sadilek; ju- niors Amber Beals, Maddie Dowd, Jenni Liu, May Pertofsky and Jess Rob- inson; and sophomores Hannah Grant, Brooke Humphrey, Scottee Johnson, Jess Mruzik and Kendall Murray. "It just speaks to how well-rounded our team is in all areas of life," Ma- linowski said. "And we had so many girls [also] become Academic All- Americans. It's something we're all proud of. And I think it's great to see the program developing in all areas in the classroom and on the court." Like anything else, Malinowski said it comes down to time management and finding the dynamic that works. "It's all about finding balance," she said. "It was hard to find that balance as a freshman coming out of high school. We have such a great support staff who helps us accomplish every- thing. So it's tough." Being successful in the arena of com- petition will always be an emphasis, but the Michigan education comes first. That is hammered home by the staff and the culture of the volleyball program. "Our coaching staff, as well as our teammates, say that you're here to graduate," Malinowski said. "And I think volleyball is so important, and we wouldn't come to a Big Ten school if it wasn't. "But with that being said, we did come here for school, and I think all the coaches and staff preach how im- portant it is to be successful in the classroom." Malinowski's work ethic was fueled by those who came before her in the volleyball program. She took the les- sons she learned in both academics and competition and applied them to her time in Ann Arbor. "I remember being a freshman and looking up to the seniors and noticing and watching their work ethic," she said. "And how much time and effort they put into both areas. Watching them set a really good example for how I wanted to grow into my role and how I want to balance out academics and athletics. So they were great." Of course, it always comes down to the bonds at home. Malinowski is grateful for her family and the guid- ing light they have been throughout her life. "They are my backbone, and they'll support me and all that I do," she said. "They want the best for me, and they do push me in pretty much every as- pect. So they've been awesome." Malinowski is a communications and media major, and is set to graduate but has not put a finger on the field she wants to be in yet. She hopes her career path involves working with people. "Right now, I'm kind of in the process of looking for jobs," Malinowski said. "I'm a people person. I think it's impor- tant that I do something after college where I'm not just sitting in front of a desk all by myself. "I'm thinking I would like to do some- thing within sales. And that's kind of a path that I'm heading toward right now. Communications is a really broad degree. And I'm excited to see what kind of options it will bring for me." — Anthony Broome Malinowski played two Michigan volleyball seasons in less than a year while pursuing a degree in communications and media. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY Student-Athlete Of The Month Volleyball Senior Abbey Malinowski