Badgering: Molly Haggerty
September 05, 2018 | Volleyball, Varsity Magazine
Volleyball outside hitter shares how she fought through challenges of injury rehab and more on her talented family
MADISON, Wis. — Last season, Kelly Sheffield was quoted as saying "If you tell her there's a chance that she's not playing this year, she'll punch you in the nose." So what did you do when you were told you couldn't play last season?
"I never thought I was going to redshirt. The whole season was hard for me sitting out and not playing. I didn't have the best attitude about it, but I've learned that it was the best thing for me. I'm really glad I did redshirt. Now I have three more years to play and I'm feeling healthy. To be here for three more years at this university is amazing and I'm really excited."
Did you learn anything about yourself while you were forced to be out for a year?
"I've learned that I'm really hard on myself and I haven't always appreciated the little things. As I've gone through this journey, I've realized that it's okay to be proud of yourself and its okay to be proud of the progress you make. I think that's something I'm really aware of now, how far I've come, even from my freshman year to now."
Your family has three girls who played or are playing at three different schools in the Big Ten. Does that make it easier or harder on your parents?
"I think it's harder, especially now that my sister, Maddie, is healthy and playing (for Michigan State). So now they have to split up because we're both playing. So now we'll see who is the favorite daughter I guess! (laughter). My whole family just loves the Big Ten no matter what."
You wear No. 23 because of Michael Jordan, but his final season was around the time you were born. How did you become such a fan?
"My older brother played basketball growing up and in college and loved Michael Jordan. I watched a video on the Dream Team and I just loved his swag and his determination. But also, (U.S. National Team member) Kelsey Robinson was No. 23 at Sports Performance and she was a big role model for me. I was No. 23 on the first national championship team I played on, so I've always kept it since."
The four kids in your family are extremely well-decorated. Where does your family keep all of its trophies?
"My mom transformed our weight room into a trophy room. The funny thing is, it's all my sisters and my trophies and jerseys and my brother only has a small wall. My brother has won championships and stuff, but I guess volleyball has taken over. Having three girls and one guy, I guess my mom kind of treated us a little bit special on that part."
How old were you the first time you left the country to play volleyball?
"The first time I traveled overseas was when I was a freshman in high school and we went to Thailand with the U.S. Youth National team. It was really cool and eye opening to what it's like there and how the volleyball is there. And then I went to Japan my sophomore year and again, that was really eye opening to see how they train and how intense the volleyball is there. I've been fortunate to have so many opportunities to travel overseas and it's been really exciting."
What's the best part of traveling?
"We rarely have time together just as a family, so to take a family vacation and get away from sports is relaxing. Winter break is always when my family is together, so we usually always go somewhere for a week and completely get away, just the six of us. That's always really nice."
What's the worst part of traveling?
"Definitely the bus rides or the airplane rides. First, I get car sick and second, after I stand up I feel like I'm 90 years old because of my back. Those are the top two. After a four-hour bus ride, I feel like I can barely move."
At one point you said your phone lock screen was a reminder of the loss to Stanford in the 2016 NCAA Tournament. Why did you do that and what is your phone lock screen now?
"I have never felt as bad after a match in my life as I did after that Stanford match. Having something in our hands and then losing it so quickly was heartbreaking. Having that screen saver reminded me constantly of that feeling when I was going to training or doing rehab and really made me remember why I was doing it. Now, I changed it to something our strength and conditioning coach, Kevin Schultz, gave me. It says, 'The body achieves what the mind believes.' I've been doing a lot of mindfulness and mental training because I think that's a huge component to being an elite athlete."
