Junior Maci Perkins is a libero for the volleyball team and recently verbally committed to play Division I volleyball at California State-Bakersfield.

Pre-Game:

Favorite pre-game song: “Go Flex” by Post Malone

Teammate you would want to be stranded on an island with: Grace Milliken

Athlete you look up to: Morgan Hentz

Years playing volleyball: Six

Favorite sport besides volleyball: Basketball

Favorite college team: Kentucky 

Post-Game:

The Red Ledger: What are your future goals, volleyball or otherwise?

Maci Perkins: For volleyball, going to play at a [D I] college, that’s been a goal of mine forever. I want to get better as a player over the four years. I’m not done getting better and growing. I really hope to experience wins and losses and get better from it. [I want to go] out to California and hopefully get a different coach’s perspective on how I can get better at the sport I play. I guess academically as well, get the best education I can. I’m planning on getting my master’s after college, so that’s a goal I have for myself.

TRL: Who inspires you?

MP: I think who inspires me is other players and my team. They inspire me to always get better and play my best. Other [D I] liberos that are in college now, I always look up to them and they inspire me. Watching them play- I always wanted to play at that level. Both my parents [inspire me as well. They tell me to] keep playing when I have a rough day.

TRL: How has being a part of a team for so long changed you as a person?

MP: It’s [taught] me to step back and not be so selfish. It’s a team sport, so it’s not always about you. You’ve got to play for the team. It’s not always me at the end of the day. Even if I’m having a bad day, I’ve gotta push through and push for my team [because] it’s not always about me. 

TRL: What is your favorite memory as an athlete for the school so far? 

MP: Winning state this year was definitely huge. It was crazy stepping on that court. The past few years, I’ve watched myself [go from] middle school to freshmen [and I’ve] watched other Lovejoy players play on that court. Getting to step on the court and experience that all myself [was] amazing; it was surreal. 

TRL: What are you most looking forward to about playing volleyball at California State-Bakersfield?

MP: It’s been a goal of mine forever. To be able to play [D I] volleyball is just huge and crazy. I still haven’t wrapped my head around it. [California State Bakersfield] is in this smaller town in southern California, but it’s also not too far away from all the big places like Los Angeles and San Francisco and all those places. I get to have this little small town homey feel, but also get to go out and experience California the four years I’m there. [To be able] to experience something new, I’m super pumped.

TRL: Describe the process you took in which you selected California State-Bakersfield.

MP: The recruiting process overall was rough this year with the deadline getting pushed back to the ‘22 class. I was talking to a few colleges, but what drew me to California State was the connection I have with the coaches. Throughout the whole recruiting process, I told myself I want to get out of Texas, but I also want it to be a home away from home. I wanted to be able to have a connection with the coaches, and I did. As soon as I was able to go out to California State and see the campus, it felt like home. I could totally see myself being there for four years. It was just an easy decision after that. After I visited campus, everything just kind of fell into place. 

TRL: What do you enjoy about volleyball?

MP: The winning. [I enjoy] spending hours in the gym with the team and working your butt off for weeks and weeks and playing those tough matches and getting the win. There’s nothing better than knowing you put in the hard work and getting the win out of it for yourself and your team. The feeling of hard work paid off [is what] I enjoy the most. 

TRL: How has your family helped you to get to where you are now?

MP: They have been my biggest supporters. I don’t think I’d be here today if it wasn’t for them. Neither of my parents played volleyball, but they both played sports. So they know mentally how challenging it can be. My dad’s biggest regret is [that] he wishes he played college ball. Even though he’s never touched a volleyball in his life, he was doing all of this research and doing film for me. They have always been supporting me  constantly, even if I was being mean or annoying to them and still care for me. They’re my base support system, and I don’t think I’d still be doing this today if it wasn’t for their constant support, them getting me through things I’ve been through.