Sterling senior Merrick Amankwa recently was awarded with the Sauk Valley’s “Volleyball Player of the Year” title. This achievement is a result of Amankwa’s hard work, dedication, and skill. Throughout the season, Amankwa showcased her talent, leading her team with impressive performances contributing to their success.
One of Amankwa’s standout moments of the season was breaking previous record holder, Bree Borum’s assist record with a total of 2,437 assists.
Amankwa said, “The recognition as volleyball player of the year means a lot! I am extremely grateful to be the recipient of the award and definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it without my teammates or coaches.”
Amankwa’s ability to set her teammates up for success not only helped lead the Golden Warriors to winning multiple matches, but also showed her level of understanding of the game.
Reflecting on Merrick’s season, she shared “the most challenging moment I faced this season was getting the team out of a mid-season slump that we faced. I found myself falling into a slump too but knew that we would only struggle more as a team if I fell into one too.”
Her resilience not only highlights her ability to overcome personal challenges, but also shows her commitment to uplifting her teammates, which shows the leadership role she took on for the team.
After all the accomplishments Amankwa has made in high school, she is going to continue her academic and athletic career at the University of Platteville. Without a doubt, Amankwa is ready for her new school and the challenges ahead. Going into a new space she says that her main goal is “to play with confidence and be the best teammate I can be!”
“I am prepared for the college level to speed up in many different ways, as there are going to be many other very talented athletes on Platteville’s team as well as opposing teams. So it’s a goal for me to adjust quickly and help the team in any way I can!” With Amakwa’s determination, she is definitely going to make a positive impact on the University of Platteville’s team.
