By Cody Soto
Sports Writer
“If I have a lot of tests, you’ll find me at Common Grounds or Starbucks,” junior outside hitter Andie Malloy said.
Malloy’s love for coffee shops has her spending a lot of time there, and said she loves people-watching while there.
Malloy is observant, seeing the daily traffic in and out of the coffee shops she is in.
Similar to sitting at a round table sipping on her favorite coffee, Malloy also observes from the sidelines of a volleyball court, watching the Baylor volleyball team play the game that she loves.
Every pass, every play, she sees.
Not only does she see it, but she also prepares herself for her turn to enter the match.
After redshirting last season, Malloy will enter Baylor’s lineup for the first time this fall. Malloy was forced to sit out last fall and spring due to Big 12 regulations after she decided to transfer from Iowa State and enroll at Baylor without any scholarship for the entire year.
Malloy was still able to practice with the team last season, but having to sit out during the games was difficult for her.
“I’m a gamer; of course I missed being able to go out there and play the game,” Malloy said. “But it was still a lot of fun and I really got to focus on improving my game and working to make my teammates better.”
Malloy’s decision to transfer to Baylor last fall was unexpected. Malloy was a four-time varsity letterman at Lovejoy High School in Allen and won four consecutive state championships. Her sophomore year, she was named Class 3A State MVP.
She was ranked one of ESPN’s Top 25 volley players in the class of 2012 and committed to play at Iowa State. In her freshman season alone, Malloy recorded 142 kills, 119 digs, 14 service aces and 17 total blocks.
The Cyclones advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA tournament in 2012 and finished with a 13-3 record in the Big 12 and 22-8 overall record. Malloy receiving playing time in 25 total matches and started 12 while playing for Iowa State.
There were a number of reasons Malloy transferred to Baylor, but being closer to home and her Christian values made this an amazing story, according to head coach Jim Barnes.
“It’s an incredible sacrifice for her to come here and be a part of this culture,” he said. “She put her money where her mouth is, because she gave up quite a lot to be here at Baylor.”
Malloy has enjoyed being around the Christian community at Baylor, as well as classes like chapel.
“My Christian values are very near and dear to me, so the fact that coming to Baylor I would be surrounded by teammates that have the same moral values that I did and valued growing in a relationship with God was really important to me,” Malloy said.
Malloy was selected in early spring as one of 12 players to serve on the U.S. Collegiate National Team during a tour in China from June 17-27. This program also serves as a second tryout for the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team.
“I definitely learned that every day is an opportunity to get better,” Malloy said. “I was surrounded by some of the best players all over different colleges, and we were still working and learning from each other. I find that incredible.”
Junior outside hitter Thea Munch-Soegaard, who also sat out significant time in 2013 overcoming injuries, described Malloy as a great influence on the sidelines last year and predicts she will have a good season for the Bears.
“She brings a whole new feeling to this team and she’s very competitive and enthusiastic all the time,” Munch-Soegaard said. “She has so much experience with her going to China this summer and I’m excited to see how she does this year.”
Malloy has high hopes for the season, and focusing on setting a good tempo early is key to the team’s philosophy during two-a-days.
“We’ve definitely talked about starting fast,” she said. “In games last year, we tended to start off with a slow start and have to build a comeback towards the end of the game, but if we started strong then who knows what would have happened.”
Malloy will be a key player in Baylor’s quest to return to the NCAA Tournament this fall.
“She’s going to make a difference; I mean she already has,” Barnes said. “She’s been practicing with us since last year and she’s become much more comfortable here. She’s going to make a big impact.”
