Friends, family members, teammates, coaches, teachers and administrators gathered in the Atrium at Westerville North High School on Friday afternoon, March 9, to watch and celebrate as Madeline Szawranskyj signed a Letter of Intent to continue her education and play volleyball at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio.
Szawranskyj started playing volleyball in 7th grade at Heritage Middle School and quickly fell in love with the sport. In ninth grade, she tried out for Westerville North volleyball and became the first freshman in 11 years selected to play on the varsity team. Coach Aaron Hastings had great confidence in her and gave her the opportunity to blossom quickly as a player. She was team captain for three years; was named 2nd team OCC both her junior and senior year; and received honorable mention her sophomore year. She was also named the MVP of the Friendship Cup in Cincinnati prior to the start of last season. Szawranskyj currently plays on TCA Ohio’s U18 National Team for club and has two tournaments coming up in Indianapolis and Atlanta later this month before starting to prepare for preseason training and playing for Heidelberg under Coach Jason Miller in the fall.
Szawranskyj is a member of the National Honor Society and has received numerous academic awards throughout high school. She has also received the Presidential Academic Scholarship at Heidelberg University. She is looking forward to studying Early Childhood Education in the hope of one day become a kindergarten teacher and possibly coaching volleyball on the side. Since her sophomore year, Szawranskyj has been active in Young Life, which is led by AP history teacher Gabe Hall, and his wife, Heidi.
Szawranskyj has been a part of several leadership organizations that help benefit her community, such as Leadership Westerville and the Warrior Athletic Leadership Team. She is also a student section leader who cheers at all types of sporting events.