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Howland's Nia Grant helps Penn State win NCAA volleyball crown
HOWLAND
Being a Division I student- athlete requires more than just athletic talent and a good tutor.
For every future professional football or basketball player in the making, there are dozens of student-athlete’s like Penn State University’s Nia Grant.
A graduate of Howland High School, Grant is experiencing firsthand how difficult the juggling act of school and sports can be.
However it all became worth it last Saturday as the Nittany Lions won the NCAA women’s volleyball national championship — the program’s fifth title in the last seven years.
“It was unreal how everything just came together,” said Grant, who recorded six points in the championship match. “This season just felt right and once we made it to the final four we knew we had to win it.”
After defeating Washington in straight sets in the semifinal, Penn Sate took down Wisconsin 25-19, 26-24, 20-25, 25-23 to win its sixth national title.
“I told myself I was not going to cry and then we ran onto the court and there was a huge mosh pit and when we all got up I was crying,” Grant said. “Honestly, I just didn’t believe we actually did it.”
Grant felt her junior season was the best she’s had as a Nittany Lion. She lead the Big Ten Conference and ranked in the top 25 nationally with a .406 hitting percentage.
She also tallied six kills and tied for the team-high with four blocks in their semifinal victory.
“This whole thing has been tiring,” said Grant, who’s taking some time off over the holiday’s with her family in Howland. “My friends and family don’t treat me any differently and I don’t want them to. I’m still the same person and I just love being with them.”
Her father, African Grant, spent one season in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and is a graduate of the University of Illinois.
His experience as a Division I student-athlete has provided Nia with a road map of sorts, she said.
“Any time I need any type of advice I’ll go to him,” Grant said. “He’s been through it all and has reached the highest level so he knows.”
But it’s been a family affair since the first time she needed a ride to practice as a kid.
“First and foremost I have to thank my parents,” Grant said. “I just got done talking about my dad, but my mom has been there for me through it all. I talk with her about pretty much everything and she’s just taught me how to be successful.
“My friends from high school have also been there for me,” the former Howland Tiger said. “I mean there’s just so many people to thank I could go on forever.”
A communications major at Penn State, Grant understands the word student is placed in front of athlete for a reason. But she’s also been able to balance the two and still have time to enjoy life in college.
“It’s honestly all about time management,” Grant said. “I mean you’re a student first so when there’s time in study hall, or we usually have lots of time on the bus to study, you have to take advantage of it.”
After losing in the regional semifinal her freshman year, then falling one match shy of the title game last season, Grant said the taste of victory couldn’t have been sweeter this year.
“I don’t think it even sunk in until a couple days after,” she said. “I’m at a loss for words ... like we’re a part of history now.”