Dillon excels in classroom and on volleyball court

Saturday, November 7, 2015
Cottey Comets freshman outside hitter, Melanie Dillon. (Submitted photo)

Melanie Dillon is having a blast playing volleyball for the Cottey Comets, while keeping a laser focus on academics.

Dillon, a 5-10 freshman setter and outside hitter from Kent, Washington, has flashed her talent on the court throughout the season. During the three-game Seeding Tournament at Cottey Sept. 25-26, Dillon racked up 46 assists, eight kills, seven digs, five aces, and a block. In addition, Dillon's 42 percent hitting helped pave the way for Cottey's victory over St. Louis Community College.

A week later against Labette Community College, Dillon compiled 18 assists, 14 digs, eight kills, three blocks, and two aces, while tying for a team-high 46 percent hitting.

Moving up to the college ranks and playing for Comets head coach Marla Kannady-Foreman has been a learning experience for Dillon.

"When I came here I realized views of Washington volleyball versus Missouri volleyball are very different," she said. Dillon added that Kannady-Foreman isn't quite as charismatic as some of her previous coaches.

"Other coaches I've had are out there almost jumping on the court with you," Dillon said. "I like how Marla is a little more reserved but is still a very competitive person. I really like playing for her."

One of Dillon's biggest influences is USA Volleyball National Team member, Courtney Thompson. Thompson has been a member of the national team since 2007, winning a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Thompson, who is also from Kent, was a star on the court at the University of Washington, winning a national championship in 2005.

"She played for one of the club team's that I played for," Dillon said, referring to the Kent Juniors Volleyball Club. "I found her very relatable because I'm not considered very tall for my sport. And she is actually shorter than me. I was thinking 'if she can do that, I can do great stuff too.' "

Dillon said she was 10 when she first met Thompson.

"She gave me some setting lessons when I was 13 or 14," Dillon said. "She's such a humble person. I love getting to talk to her. And she is a hardworking person. I love seeing the underdogs get to that point in their life."

Dillon experienced some adversity during her junior year in high school, missing extended time with a back injury.

"We didn't know what caused the injury," she said. "It caused immense pain, shooting pains going up my back. I could barely move and had to wear a back brace. I was icing constantly and on prescription muscle relaxants. The injury was so defeating, and I thought I would never get over it."

Dillon said after nearly six months of recovery time, she finally made it back on the court.

"At the end of the season I finally got a taste of getting to play once again," she said.

Dillon said she returned for an AAU national tournament in Florida.

"I had to regain all of my strength because I was out for so long," she said. "And finally I was able to prove myself and get back on the court. It was an amazing feeling."

While Dillon has enjoyed an excellent season on the court, her primary focus is on academics. Dillon said she wants to eventually enroll in a pre-med program with anesthesiology as her area of focus. Dillon's un-weighted grade-point average at Kentridge High School (Wash.) was 3.94, while her weighted GPA was 4.35.

Dillon said she may continue to take classes at Cottey beyond two years.

"Cottey has a new bachelors, health-science degree," she said. "And it's designed to prepare you for medical school. I've really found that I like the environment here, so I'm thinking I might be staying for all four years. The volleyball scholarship will really help, because medical school will cost a fortune."

Dillon said after spending most of her life in the Pacific Northwest, it took a few weeks to adjust to the rolling hills of southwest Missouri.

"It's definitely very different here," she said. "Back home it's 45 and rainy six months out of the year. One thing I miss from home is seeing Mount Rainier everyday. It's basically right in my backyard. It's beautiful."

Dillon said her parents Jeff and Kristine have always served as positive role models for her and younger sister Samantha .

"They've always let us figure out what we like for ourselves," she said. "They've never pushed us to do any one thing. Or pushed us away from anything. They kind of let the world be our oyster."

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