« Volleyball 2010

Amanda Graham

School
Robert Morris University
Position
Middle Blocker
Major
Nuclear Medicine Technology
K
163
Pct
.313
SA
21
BS
12
BA
69
D
80
Amanda Graham

Classroom

Amanda Graham carries a 3.98 cumulative GPA into her senior year. She was named to the ESPN The Magazine District II Academic All-America First Team last year. The nuclear medicine technology major has made the Dean’s list every semester and was named the 2009 Northeast Conference Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Graham has been named to the NEC Academic Honor Roll all three years and was named to the NEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll in its inaugural season last year. Graham spent time this summer studying for the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), which she is scheduled to take as she prepares to apply to pharmacy school.

Character

Graham has displayed remarkable character at Robert Morris through her toughness, resiliency and leadership. She tore her meniscus during her freshman season, but she did not miss a single match. After undergoing offseason surgery, Graham took the court for her sophomore season with a knee that was heavily swollen. She started every match despite still working through post-surgery physical therapy and rehabilitation during the entire season. Graham was named a captain her junior year, but she broke her finger in the fifth match of the season. After missing nine matches, Graham had three pins inserted into her hand and returned to the court with her finger still broken. She was forced to play with a hand that was heavily wrapped, making it much more challenging to compete at her accustomed level, but she was still able to maintain her impressive statistical performances. During the recent offseason, the Colonials went through a coaching change, leading to increased responsibility for Graham as a team representative in her role as captain. She said by going through that process she has learned how to incorporate more teammates as part of her leadership role by stressing strong communication between individuals, which Graham believes has the Colonials more prepared entering the 2010 season. Graham will once again serve as a team captain this season.

Community

Graham has volunteered her time at Holy Family Institute, a social service agency in Pittsburgh. Holy Family is a residential care program that serves children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, neglect or other circumstances. Graham has visited the institute and organized activities and games for the children.

Competition

Graham has been a dominant force for the Colonials since stepping on the court her freshman season when she led the Northeast Conference in hitting percentage (.344) in 2007. She finished sixth in the NEC in kills per game with 3.41, while also leading Robert Morris in all blocking categories in her rookie year. Graham was named All-NEC First Team and was subsequently named to the NEC All-Tournament Team after recording 35 kills and 10 blocks in the conference postseason. Graham picked up where she left off during her sophomore season as she finished second in the league in hitting (.312) and tied for second in aces per game (.42). Graham once again led RMU in all blocking categories, including breaking the single-season school record for block assists (84). She led her team to the 2008 NEC Regular Season Championship as the Colonials went undefeated in league play, and Graham was again recognized by receiving All-NEC Second Team honors. She continued to post strong numbers despite missing nine matches due to injury in her junior season. Graham finished second in the NEC in hitting (.332) and fourth in blocks per game (1.14), while tying her own school record for block assists. She helped Robert Morris qualify for its 11th consecutive NEC Tournament, the longest current streak in the conference, and was named All-NEC First Team again.