High School: Ranked No. 37 on PrepVolleyball Senior Aces ... 2016 Under Armour third-team All-American ... named the PrepVolleyball and MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year in 2013... two-time MaxPreps All-American ... 2014 JVA All-American ... led Newman Catholic High School to four straight state championships ... earned four all-tournament honors ... two-time first-team all-state selection for coach Betty Lange ... four-time all-conference selection ... led her team to three conference championships .. finished her career with 2,812 kills, 1,225 digs, 355 service aces and 337 blocks while hitting .387 ... also played with Wisconsin Volleyball Academy for coaches B.J. Bryant and Rocky Koenig ... team garnered two top-five AAU National Championship finishes
Personal: Parents are Kerry and Missy Whalen ... has a sister Carissa (24) and a brother Jake (20) ... sister played volleyball at North Dakota State and at USF from 2010-14 and professional beach volleyball in Florida in 2014-15 ... brother is a redshirt sophomore on the Badger football team ... nicknames are Whales, Mo and Marts ... born Sept. 1 ... major is undeclared
Why Wisconsin?
"It’s like home to me. It’s close to my hometown and my brother, my cousin, and a lot of my friends go to school here. So much pride is taken in this university by the people of Wisconsin and I wanted to be a part of the UW family."
Off the court with Mariah
Favorites - Spot on campus: Terrace; Cartoon Character: Batman; Movie: Spy; Celebrities: Melissa McCarthy or Will Ferrell; Food: Peanut Butter or Steak; TV Show: Parks and Recreation; Book: Divergent; Car: FJ Cruiser; Athletes: Brett Favre or Bode Miller; Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chip; Volleyball Players: Logan Tom or Kerri Walsh; Sports team: Dallas Cowboys
First started volleyball: 10 years old
Most memorable volleyball match: When we beat the returning national champions in the semi-finals at Nationals for Beach Volleyball. Then we won the whole thing!
My favorite thing about Wisconsin volleyball is: Everyone has the same goals and it makes everything very competitive, but at the same time it’s a family.
One word that describes the team: Energetic
One word that describes me: Passionate
My teammates say I am: Fun
Favorite thing to do off the court with my teammates is: Hang out
Most memorable volleyball achievement: Winning beach nationals
Is there something significant about your uniform number? I’ve been the No. 10 since I started playing.
The best thing about the Field House is: There’s such a great history behind it, it’s just a really unique place to play!
If I could change one volleyball rule, it would be: That you would be allowed to break the plane of the net! You wouldn’t have to wait for an overpass!
If I was Coach Sheffield for the day, I would: Take the team to Hawaii again!
What is your favorite Coach Sheffield saying? “Be an active participant in your own rescue.”
My “Bucky” List is: Win a national championship!
Dream as a collegiate player: Win a NCAA National Championship; Be an All-American
Post-college plans/goals: Play professionally indoor/outdoor and travel
The best thing about Madison is: There is always something to do like going to sporting events, hanging out on the terrace, concerts, and hanging out with teammates and friends!
Fantasy job/career: Avalanche control, heli-skiing guide, or a surgeon
Persons most admired/role models: My older siblings
I can’t live without: I’ve said this a lot … but peanut butter. I eat it every single day.
My secret addiction is: Ice Cream/Peanut Butter (not a secret anymore ha ha)
Weird thing about me that almost no one knows: I put ketchup on all of my breakfast foods.
Nobody knows how much I love to: Adventure. I love to go to new places!
Greatest Invention of the last 100 years: Girl Scout Cookies
If I could live any place in the world it would be: New Zealand or the Swiss Alps
A non-athletic talent I have is: I can juggle
Non-athletic talent I would like to have is: Singing or Dancing (I’m pretty bad at both)
If you could trade places for a day with a person, who would it be and why? Kevin Hart, It would be really fun to make people laugh all the time!
If I had a million dollars, I would: Travel until I had no more money!
How would you like to change the world? I would like to see everyone love what they do and enjoy life!
My bucket list includes: Play professional volleyball, Climb K2, Traveling the world, Learn how to surf, etc.
What are you most thankful for? My family and friends
What are you passionate about? Volleyball, skiing, playing my Ukulele
My favorite saying or a phrase I use all the time is: “That’s janky.”
The best advice I have ever gotten is: To not let anyone get in your head
If you could perform in a circus, what would you do? Probably tight rope walking or Lion taming
Biggest pet peeve: Walking behind a slow walker
What would be your theme song? Hands down would be Party in the USA by Miley Cyrus
If you had a magic lamp and a genie who granted you three wishes, what would the three wishes be?
My own Brazilian Steakhouse that I could eat at whenever I wanted to; To be young forever; Unlimited wishes
What does it mean to be a Badger?
"Being a Badger means working your butt off. Nothing comes easy. It’s about having that blue collar work ethic and being willing to work harder than everyone else. But it also means family and community. There will always be people there to support you and push you to be a better person."
