2018: Played in five matches and eight sets ... recorded a kill against Michigan (Nov. 4) ... started against Purdue (Nov. 9) and earned two kills ... had her first career ace at Rutgers (Nov. 23)
2017: Played in three matches and six sets before redshirting the rest of the season with an injury ... averaged 1.58 points/set and 1.50 kills/set ... collected four kills in her first collegiate match against Louisville (Aug. 25) ... recorded four kills and a block against North Carolina (Aug. 26) ... had one kill vs. Syracuse (Sept. 1)
High School: Ranked No. 37 on PrepVolleyball Senior Aces ...
Volleyball Fab 50 ... 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 state 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 ... team garnered two top-five AAU National Championship finishes
Personal: Parents are Kerry and Missy Whalen ... has a sister Carissa (26) and a brother Jake (21) ... sister played volleyball at North Dakota State and at USF from 2010-14 and professional beach volleyball in Florida in 2014-15 ... brother was a member of the Badger football team from 2015-17 ... nicknames are Whales, Mo and Marts ... born Sept. 1 ... major is international business and finance
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."
Match Highs
Kills: 4 (2x; MR vs. North Carolina, 8-26-17)
Attacks: 22 vs. Louisville, 8-25-17
Attack pct: .100 (4-3-10) vs. North Carolina, 8-26-17
Assists: 1 vs. North Carolina, 8-26-17
Serve aces: 0
Digs: 1 vs. North Carolina, 8-26-17
Blocks: 1 vs. North Carolina, 8-26-17
Points: 4.5 vs. North Carolina, 8-26-17
Off the court with Mariah
Favorites
Spot on campus: Arboretum
Cartoon Character: Batman
Movie: Spy
Celebrity: Melissa McCarthy or Will Ferrell
Food: Peanut Butter or Steak
TV Show: Parks and Recreation
Book: Find a Way
Car: Ford Bronco
Athlete: Kelly Slater or Diana Nyad
Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chip!!!!
Volleyball Player: Logan Tom or Kerri Walsh
Sports team: Dallas Cowboys
First started volleyball (age/grade): 10 years old/5
th grade
Most memorable volleyball match: Beating Nebraska in the FH last season
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.
Before each match, I: Listen to music
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 number 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 at!
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.”
This summer, I: Went to California twice, worked out with the team in Madison, and played in several beach volleyball tournaments
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: Heli-skiing guide/pilot
Person(s) 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: I love surfing!
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 and play the ukulele
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 (things you dream about doing): Play professional volleyball, Climb Everest/K2, Traveling the world, sky dive, become scuba certified (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: “Great success!” (@mallorydixon)
The best advice I have ever gotten is: Be an advocate for yourself.
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."
