Volleyball -- School ties: Tingle's senior season a lifetime in the making
By Tommy Keeler Jr.
(Daily Staff Writer)
WINCHESTER — MacKenzie Tingle used to dream what it would be like playing volleyball for James Wood.
She couldn't wait to put on the blue and gold uniform and represent the school she's loved her whole life. The school her father, Jerry, was athletic director at for four years.
Her time finally came four years ago, and now she's entering her last season as a Colonel.
"I used to come up here to practice when my sisters were on the team and hit the ball off the walls while they practiced," Tingle said. "I've wanted to be on this team forever. I used to think to myself 'Am I ever going to get up here?' It seemed like it was so far way. Now it seems like time passes so quickly."
Jerry Tingle was a guidance counselor and golf coach at James Wood for 25 years before taking the athletic director's job in 1999. He held the position until retiring in 2003.
The youngest of four daughters, MacKenzie Tingle grew up watching her sisters play at James Wood and understanding what it meant to be a Colonel.
James Wood coach Carla Milton said she knew — even when Tingle was stealing balls out of the rack at a young age during practices — that she would be a special player someday.
"I always kid with MacKenzie that she was born with a volleyball in her hands," Milton said. "She was always bumping the ball against the wall. She's always loved the game."
Tingle played volleyball as much as she could, whether it was playing with her sisters or at the middle school level or simply hitting by herself at home.
"My sisters would always do drills with me and sometimes I would practice setting in bed," Tingle said. "I tried to practice setting the ball 1,000 times a day. I practiced setting the ball over our garage door or against the wall at home. I was just always trying to get better."
As a freshman she started for the Colonels as a setter. The Colonels struggled to an 8-13 record during Tingle's freshman season, but rebounded the following year with an 18-4 record.
Tingle had always been a setter, but last year Milton decided to give her the added responsibility of being a hitter as well. James Wood uses two setters in its rotation, and this year both Tingle and Sara Michael will set and hit.
"It's exciting to be able to do both," Tingle said. "I think as a setter you always want to hit. You see the other girls do it, and especially when they miss, you just want to say 'come on girls, this is how you do it.'"
Tingle plays volleyball year-round and gave up basketball and track several years ago to focus on her main love. Tingle plays for several travel teams throughout the year, and even played in a tournament in Hawaii over the summer.
She said the schedule can get a little tiring, but the experience makes it all worthwhile.
"It's helped me out a lot," Tingle said. "The skill level is so much higher there. You get to meet and play with a lot of different players."
Tingle's love of the game will most likely continue in college. Tingle said she is considering several schools, including Division II Francis Marion University and Division III Gettysburg College and Guilford University.
For now, Tingle has other goals in her sights like guiding James Wood to another district championship. Last season, the Colonels went undefeated in the Northwestern District regular season and advanced to the Region II semifinals.
The Colonels' dreams of advancing to the Group AA state tournament fell just out of their reach in a five-game loss to Heritage. James Wood has five players back from last year's team, and high hopes for the season.
"I think we have a lot of potential," Tingle said. "We have great chemistry. There are no jealousies. Last year, I think there were times when we wouldn't even say 'hi' to each other in the hallway. This year's team is all very friendly with each other."
The Colonels (1-0) are off to a solid start after defeating Stonewall Jackson in their opener last week in three games. Tingle led the team with eight kills and 13 assists.
No matter what happens this season, Tingle just wants to enjoy her final year in the school she grew up wanting to be a part of.
"I love James Wood and I love being a part of the athletic association," Tingle said. "You couldn't pay me to go to any other school."
