Passion in sports is a key component of competition. The passion and the competitive nature of volleyball would soon make an impact on Mallory Porcher. Mallory began playing volleyball at the age of 12 as she would watch her older sister play in high school and was intrigued with the sport. “My older sister played for her high school’s volleyball team and I enjoyed watching it and since I had the height and I figured it was something I could do,” Mallory describes. Mallory would end up playing in middle school and was one of the only two sixth graders to make and start on the varsity team. Porcher continue to excel as she was part of the Top Select 17-Elite Blake team. During her tenure with the team, they placed first at the Disney Qualifier Tour of Texas and finished second at the Big South Qualifier and the Junior National Championship. In high school, Mallory dominated the courts at Dr. Phillips High School and started on the varsity team all four years. In freshmen year, she started on the varsity team and was named the best offensive player of the year that season. Porcher would receive many more accolades during her time at Dr. Phillips as she received the “She’s Got Game” award in junior year as the team’s MVP in senior year. Porcher made sure senior season is her best year as she posted a hitting average of.585 and averaged 2.7 kills including the 53 sets that she played, and recorded a total of 34 blocks. 

Porcher began her collegiate volleyball career at North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T) in 2019. In her freshman year, Mallory played in 65 sets out of the 26 matches which included starting 10 games and recording 72 kills, 49 blocks, 16 digs, 105 points, and was named MEAC Rookie of the Week. At the beginning of the 2020 season, the impact of COVID-19 led many sports teams to cancel or suspend their season. The volleyball season for the NCAA would end up starting later than its regular schedule as the NCAA Volleyball 2020 Tournament would start in the Spring season instead of taking place in the Fall/Winter season. Although the 2020 volleyball season was cut short, Mallory made the best of it as she secured 42 kills, 59 points, 21 digs, 17 blocks, and played in 43 sets of the 13 matches where she would start 10 of the matches. Mallory contributed in the 2021 season as she participated in 99 sets out of the 30 matches and started in 2 matches where she tallied 198.5 points, 131 kills, 28 digs, and 13 blocks. Currently, Mallory is preparing for her senior season as the NC A&T volleyball program will become one of the newest members of the Colonial Athletic Association Conference (CAA) along with Stony Brooks, Monmouth University, and Hampton University. 

Student-athletes are no strangers to juggling academics and athletics as it is an everyday routine. Mallory is no stranger to balancing sports and classes as she experienced it in her youth. “At a young age, I think I figured out how to manage both early on since I started playing so young,” Mallory states. Porcher also explained how time management and staying on top of her classes became a factor in both sports and school. “I would travel and have to miss school for AAU,  so I will say sports have taught me how to manage my time. I know that I can’t play without having good grades so that has always kept me on top of my work.  Porcher explains the challenges of balancing both sports and classes. “Balancing both can be very challenging and overwhelming at times, but you have to figure out your groove with it,” Porcher describes.  “Some people like to have early classes, while some like to sleep in; but I prefer to knock all of my work out in the mornings so I have the night to rest.” Currently, Mallory is majoring in journalism and mass communications. As a journalism and mass communications major, Mallory sees the connection between the sport and the major as she wants to be a film editor and cover volleyball media days at different HBCUs programs as well as have edited a few films for the NC A&T volleyball team. 

Volleyball continues to see an increase in participants due to the televised exposure of the NCAA Volleyball Championship Tournament. The latest NCAA Volleyball National Championship garnered 1.2 million views as it was the most-viewed women’s college volleyball match ever on ESPN Networks. Mallory states that she sees volleyball will continue to increase in the future. “Since I have started, I’ve seen more and more girls starting to play AAU volleyball and that is really how the sport has expanded,” Porcher states. Mallory describes how people are used to seeing the “fun” side of volleyball instead of being familiar with the competitive aspect of the sport. However, Mallory believes the key to increasing volleyball is the recognition and attention that it deserves. 

Volleyball has become one of the most popular sports for girls, yet the opportunities for women to play professionally are limited to USA Volleyball and Athletes Unlimited. While Mallory details that she does not see herself playing on a professional level, she wants to continue to be involved with volleyball through coaching as she has a passion for helping others. “I enjoy helping and teaching others. If I could spread some of the knowledge I have for the game, I would do so,” Porcher exclaims. 

When it comes to playing at a college level, it’s not an easy ride and nothing is ever handed to you. Mallory advises 3 key components for those that want to take their talents to the next level: do it for yourself, do your best, and give it you're all. “What I mean by that is don’t play because your parents want you to, but play because it is something that you are passionate about.” Mallory describes the sacrifices that it takes playing on a college level and cherishing each moment you get a chance to play. “There are a lot of sacrifices you have to make and you just have to be willing to make those. For those who are serious about it, just do your best and give it your all any chance you have to play,” Porcher states. “Take advantage of it when it is time to practice or play because it flies by fast.” 

When it comes to both life and sports, Mallory credits her father as her role model both on and off the court as her father was a former athlete. “Being a former athlete himself, I get life lessons and tips on how to better my craft,” Porcher states. “As a child, he always made sure to teach my siblings and me about how important it was to take care of your body and just how to incorporate a healthy lifestyle,” Mallory emphasizes that she still uses the tools and the tips that her father has given over the years to this day. 

A new chapter in life reveals new beginnings. For Mallory, she sees those new beginnings happening for her as she prepares to enter into a new chapter in life after volleyball. Mallory’s story inspires the next generation as she has succeeded so much throughout her collegiate career. Porcher became the first person in her family to play volleyball as well as the first female in the family to earn an athletic scholarship. “Being the first female to do something, no matter what always stands out in my eyes,” Mallory states. One thing is for sure, Porcher is ready for what is to come.

To learn more about Mallory and her story, be sure to follow her on Instagram: malloryporcher