We're not looking at replacements, we're looking at opportunities for kids to get on the court and do what they've always dreamed about doing. – BYU coach Heather Olmstead
PROVO — A lot of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have BYU on top on their list of college choices, or at least close to it. But for McKenna Miller, the church-owned university wasn't high on her list, or anywhere close to it when growing up in Southern California as a top volleyball prospect.
Miller is a 6-foot-1 freshman who eventually did come around to the Cougars, and is currently leading the team in kills (189), filling in admirably for departing star Alexa Gray at the outside hitter position. She's also enjoying campus life and everything BYU has to offer, for now, until maybe the snow starts falling.
"I don't even want to think about that. I'm enjoying everything so much right now," Miller said of the impending snow that's sure to hit in a few months.
Snow isn't a viable substitute for the beaches Miller grew up with hailing from Murrieta, California, at least not in her mind. She's spent a winter in Utah before, and that was enough, and was one of the primary reasons she wanted nothing to do with playing for BYU when first being recruited.
"I was adamant about not going to BYU. Anywhere but BYU," Miller said. "I then attended my first volleyball camp here and nope, still wanted nothing to do with coming here."
Miller's sights were set on playing for a program in Southern California, and she set out visiting programs in her surrounding area shortly after that first trip to BYU's camp. Having seen what those programs offered, she started to open up to the idea of playing for the Cougars during her second participation in BYU's camp the following summer.
"I was able to compare what those other schools had to offer and they didn't match up with what BYU had," Miller said. "First, there's the (Smith) Fieldhouse, and the atmosphere is insane and I love it. But then there's the atmosphere on the team and the environment of the school. There's no place like BYU and it's why I chose to come here and I definitely made the right decision."
As for the Smith Fieldhouse environment, Miller has done well to encourage a loud and enthusiastic atmosphere through 12 matches played. She's helped the Cougars to an 11-1 record and a No. 13 national record.
Miller has meshed well with experienced veterans, such as senior middle blockers Amy Boswell and Whitney Young Howard, along with fellow young players, such as fellow true freshman Mary Lake, a libero. She's helped fill the void left by Gray's graduation, putting up big numbers at perhaps the most visible position on the team.
"We're not looking at replacements, we're looking at opportunities for kids to get on the court and do what they've always dreamed about doing," said BYU coach Heather Olmstead on Miller's play, along with other young contributors. "I think everybody has done a great job just coming together, and the strength of our team is just being a complete team."
Miller agrees with her coach's assessment while expressing gratitude for her upperclassmen teammates.
"They're so great helping us and they're so fun to play with," she said. "I get to be next to Amy (Boswell) in our rotation, which I love because she's such a great player and so much fun and has so much energy."
On tap for the Cougars is West Coast Conference play beginning this Thursday and Saturday with home matches against Santa Clara and San Francisco, respectively. Following those matches they'll head out on the road to take on Pepperdine and San Diego, a trip Miller is certainly looking forward to.
"I can't wait to get back to the beach. I miss it so much," she said. "I mean, I love it here, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I just wish a beach came with BYU, but for everything else, it's been a blast, and I'm very happy I'm here."
Email: bgurney@desnews.com
Twitter: @BrandonCGurney