Real leaders lead by example, put their teammates first and put up the numbers — but the numbers they’re most concerned about are the numbers in the win column. Allyce Wilson is without doubt a leader of the women’s volleyball team.
According to the program, Wilson is 5 feet 3 inches tall. This height is a major disadvantage, especially in a sport such as volleyball. But what Wilson lacks in loftiness, she makes up for with heart.
“She brings everything to a team a coach could possibly want,” said Sam Atoa, head coach of the women’s volleyball team. “Coaches dream to have a player like her.”
Wilson was recently awarded the Great West Conference Defensive Player of the Week.
“It is an honor to get that,” Wilson said in response to the award. “I’m just glad that I could help my team get some wins on our record.”
Not only does she lead in the locker room, she is also leading on the hardwood with her defensive skills. In only seven matches, Wilson has racked up 156 digs — 103 more than the player in second place.
“That stuff doesn’t matter,” Wilson stated. “What matters is we are getting better as a team.”
When asked about her role as a leader, she gives all of the credit to her past and present coaches as well as her father.
While she was growing up, her father was a baseball player here at Utah Valley and at BYU. Wilson mentioned that she learned to be a leader through the example set by her dad.
Wilson’s family support has been a big part of her success. For example, her 83-year-old grandmother has been to every single sporting event she has participated in since she was a kid. Wilson said jokingly, “You should do a story about her.”
Wilson truly does care a lot about her family, and she would likely not be the leader she is today without them.
Wilson, like any athlete, hopes to reach the very top in her sport. The next step after college would be the Olympic team. However, if that does not pan out, she is currently a Health Education major and hopes to be an athletic trainer or to get into coaching.
Wilson ended by saying “The MAWL is ridiculous,” referring to the fans here at UVU. “We can use all the support we can get.”
The MAWL will be in full force Oct. 7 to support the Wilson led lady Wolverines in a match versus Chicago State.
