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Red-shirt year gave Mangapora a chance to grow
By Curtis Pulliam
Sabrina Mangapora didn’t want to sit out her freshman year at Ball State University.
“I am a very competitive person,” Mangapora said. “But I realized the value of being on the court. Sitting out a year makes it even more special.”
After red-shirting her first year on campus, not only did it mean more for her to be on the volleyball court this season, she meant more to the team, according to coach Steve Shondell.
“[Red-shirting] is something we try to do when we can,” said Shondell, who is in his fifth season at Ball State. “It’s not as common as it is college football and college basketball, but I feel like it works to our advantage.”
And with Mangapora it was not different.
The Canfield High School graduate began the season on the Cardinals’ bench but by the end she had started 14 matches.
The redshirt freshman finished with 289 kills as a outside hitter.
Only Hayley Benson (341) had more.
“She turned into a consistent outside hitter for us,” Shondell said.
With her performance this season, Mangapora earned the nickname “Boom” because of the way the ball sounds when she hits it.
“Sometimes times I call her the ‘Canfield Killer,’ ” said Shondell with a laugh. “I like the ring to the name. Plus I always joke wherever we go that the police are looking for her.”
On Nov. 1, Mangapora lived up to the nicknames, smacking a career-high 18 kills against the Western Michigan Broncos.
The Cardinals beat the Broncos in five games that meeting and earlier in the regular season.
However, the Broncos ended the Cardinals’ season in the Mid-American Conference tournament.
Mangapora says she loves playing against the Broncos.
“I think it is because of my competitive nature but they always bring the best out of me,” Mangapora said. “We have a little history with them so I feel I just need to step up and help my team.”
Academics are also important to Mangapora, who was a volleyball and basketball standout for Canfield.
“I chose volleyball because it worked out better with my school schedule,” Mangapora said. “It was easier to schedule the classes I needed in the spring semester.”
She is a double major in premed and health science with a minor in public health.
“My parents instilled a ‘school comes first’ attitude in me,” Mangapora said. “It takes a lot of discipline. My teammates are always joking with me that I’m always doing homework on the bus.”
Even with the heavy workload Mangapora says she has a social life.
“It’s just a balancing act,” Mangapora said. “I make time to hang out with my teammates and boyfriend and all that.”
Although she had a consistent year as an outside hitter, Mangapora knows there is always room for improvement.
“I need to be more dependable in other parts of my game,” Mangapora said.
Shondell agreed.
“She needs to work on her passing and middle back defense,” Shondell said. “But she’s made herself good through her work ethic.”
Mangapora takes pride in that and is looking forward to next season.
“I can’t take a day off,” Mangapora said. “In college volleyball, a lot more is at stake and you have to mentally be your best all the time.”