As the Utah Valley University volleyball team begins to hit their stride this season, Madison Dennison is in the middle of it all. The junior middle blocker from Pleasant Grove, Utah was named to the Preseason All-Western Athletic Conference Team, and has proved herself worthy of the honor with her play on the court.
“She is well deserving of that. Unfortunately, sometimes you are a marked man when you get those accolades, but she is a work horse and continues to fight,” said UVU head coach Sam Atoa.
That fight in Dennison was evident in the victory against North Texas, as she recorded a career-high 15 kills.
“It was really exciting when I got the honor, and I have to dedicate it to my team, I couldn’t have done it without them,” said Dennison. That teamwork mentality has paid off for the Wolverines, as they reeled off three-straight victories in the Wolverine Invitational.
This is not the first time Dennison has received a major honor. In 2014, she was named to the WAC All-Freshman Team after starting 31 of the 32 matches and finishing second on the team in blocks with 99. Dennison played in all 28 matches in 2015 and led the team with a .345 hitting percentage. This season, her goals and expectations are clear. “We want to win the WAC and make it to the NCAA Tournament,” said Dennison.
In order to make a run at the WAC title, the Wolverines will need Dennison to continue playing at such a high level.
Volleyball season is not the only stressful time of year for the middle blocker. Last year she married Dustin Dennison of the UVU wrestling team.
“It’s awesome being married to another student-athlete, he understands what I’m going through,” said Dennison. “Although our schedules are so hectic that we never really get to see each other. It is nice we can go to each other’s games.”
Selected as a captain to begin the season, Dennison is a proven leader. When the team stumbled out of the gates to an 0-4 record, she continued to contribute in many ways and build the team up. That leadership and competitiveness has rubbed off during the Wolverines current three-game win streak.
“I am really pleased that she is on my team and she will continue to help carry our team,” said Atoa.
