It’s tough to get recognition when you play on a team with one of the best players in the nation, but for Utah Valley junior Sandy Marvin it’s never been an issue.
The 5-foot-6 guard has been the engine under the hood for the Wolverines in their best season playing at the Division I level.
At Payson High School Marvin led her team to a 4A state championship on the hardwood, but the court wasn’t the only place she excelled.
On the diamond she struck out 108 batters and was named first team All-State as a pitcher. She also had a batting average of .378 for the Lions.
And if you think that’s it, she was just getting started. She also starred on the volleyball team and was named to the Academic All-State Team in all three sports.
Why her decision to stick with basketball over other sports?
"I just really like the intensity and speed of the game," she said.
Like her favorite athletic role model, Steve Nash, Marvin isn’t concerned with her numbers in the stat sheet, but her ability to involve her teammates.
Distributing the ball to All-American Robyn Fairbanks in the post, or finding fellow guard Julie McMurray on the baseline for an open jumper has helped the lady Wolverines to their 13-6 record. However, defenders beware: She also has the ability to rip the net from three-point country.
Still she’s focusing on what she needs to do to improve her team.
"I need to be able to offset Fairbanks, and be more consistent for the team," she said.
Behind every good athlete is a solid support system and for Marvin it’s no different. She has her family to look to win, lose or draw. Luckily for Marvin and the Wolverines it’s been more of the first. Heading into the final stretch of the season Utah Valley will finish with one of the best records in team history.
And the future only appears to be getting brighter.
With nearly all of their offensive output returning next season, Marvin and the Wolverines expect to make a name for themselves on a national level.
