It didn’t take long for volleyball to become the primary sport in Amanda McCracken’s life, even though it wasn’t her first choice.

She never touched a volleyball until the summer before her freshman year at Liberty High School. By that time, she was already a veteran in soccer, basketball, lacrosse and other sports.

Yet while she experimented in sports, McCracken never changed her winning formula in the classroom, where she has become one of the top students in Liberty’s senior class.

For her continuing excellence in athletics and academics, along with her dedication to community service, McCracken is The Eagle’s choice for the Carroll County Fall Sports Student-Athlete Award.
 
In her third season on the Liberty varsity volleyball team, McCracken led the Lions to a 16-2 record and the school’s third Class 2A state championship in the past six years.

Liberty had won previous state titles in 2003 and 2004, but fell short of another crown during the past three seasons. The tall team captain finished among the Carroll County leaders in two key categories — first in kills (4.0 per game) and third in blocks (1.0 per game).

Her 14 kills in the state championship match paced Liberty to a three-game sweep of defending champ Rising Sun of Cecil County.

“We just knew that we couldn’t have another season like last year again,” McCracken said. “Dave Trumbo was a great coach, and the year after he left we focused on how things weren’t the same.
 
“This year, we just wanted to win states, and it was very surreal to be on the team that brought (the title) back,” she said. “When Kelly (Vieira) hit that final ball down, I couldn’t believe it.”
 
Another volleyball state championship seemed unlikely when McCracken and her teammates stepped onto the court for preseason practice in August. After the 2006 season, Trumbo left Liberty to coach at Villa Julie College (now Stevenson University) in Baltimore County.

The Lions won just nine of 17 matches in 2007, but a new coach helped to change the outlook. Lauren Eberhardt, who coached McCracken as a freshman and also served as an assistant to Trumbo for several years, was hired to lead the Lion program.
 
“I hadn’t had this group as a varsity coach,” said Eberhardt, who also works as director of choirs and general music at Oklahoma Road Middle School in Eldersburg. “After last year, they really wanted to redeem themselves. Many people thought our run was over, but we knew we had the talent and chemistry.”

Leader on court, in class
Among a talented and spirited group of players, Eberhardt found a natural leader in McCracken.
 
“Amanda listens and takes directions very well,” Eberhardt said. “She’s very respectful and never stirs things up. Amanda has always been that way, but when she steps on the court we know that she is out there to win. You can only go so far on skills alone. You also need to have knowledge of the game and how it should be played. Amanda had the skills and the knowledge.”

McCracken also knows hard work on the court isn’t enough.
 
Her 4.3 weighted grade-point average (out of a possible 4.5) and the willingness to challenge herself academically sets McCracken apart from many high school student-athletes. She has taken advanced placement classes since her sophomore year at Liberty.

Despite her many time-consuming responsibilities, McCracken seems to maintain the proper balance.
 
“The majority of our players take advanced placement classes,” said Eberhardt. “There are certain points where you can tell that they’re stressed out. But it doesn’t seem to ever faze Amanda. She’s one of those people who don’t get overwhelmed easily.”
 
For McCracken, it starts with an appreciation for academics.

“I’ve always really loved school,” said McCracken, the daughter of Kathy and Toby McCracken of Eldersburg.
 
“Sports have always been second,” she said. “My academics are really important, and I’ve tried to narrow it down and not try to do too many outside activities.”

McCracken is probably ready for a rest. In her four years at Liberty, she has been an active participant in the National Honor Society, the Student Government Association, the Varsity Club, the National Art Honor Society, the Key Club and the Debate Club.

Portrait of a student artist
Her value to the Liberty High School community also extends beyond her long reach at the volleyball net.
Although she completed most of her community service requirements in middle school, McCracken has continued to work to improve the lives of others.
 
During her four years at Liberty, she has been a regular volunteer for the American Red Cross. McCracken has conducted blood drives at Liberty for the organization.
 
As a Key Club member, she helped to organize trips to senior homes and made Christmas cards for troops. She is also involved in a tree buffer project at Camp Hashawa and is working with the National Art Honor Society chapter to paint a mural at a Baltimore City public school.

McCracken wants to extend her dedication to others in her likely future career. She plans to major in art therapy, and is looking at several colleges in the Northeast. Syracuse, Drexel, and  schools in the Boston area are also on her list.

“I’m always worrying about something,” McCracken explained. “That’s just my personality. But when I do art, I feel very relaxed.
 
“I see art as being very calming and therapeutic. I’ll be able to work in rehabilitation centers and help people who are recovering from injuries regain their motor skills,” she said. “As an art therapist, you can also help clinical psychologists analyze patients.”

Before she heads to college, McCracken has one more sports season. She played varsity tennis for the first time in 2008 and is looking forward to her final season next spring.
 
She already misses volleyball, and isn’t quite ready to give up the game completely.
 
“I never saw myself playing sports in college,” said McCracken, whose brother Shane plays soccer and basketball for Liberty. “I knew it was going to be tough to balance art and academics.
 
“If I can’t play on the varsity level in college, I will definitely play club ball,” she added. “I could also see myself coaching down the road.”

While she will miss playing volleyball at a high level, McCracken appreciates the total experience she’s had at Liberty.

“There’s a great deal of positive energy at this school,” McCracken said. “I’ve never had a teacher that I disliked.
 
“I have been surrounded since middle school by a group of kids where everyone has been an athlete and a scholar, and trying to be up to their level has definitely pushed me to where I am now,” she said.

About This Award
Since fall 2007, The Eagle has presented this award to a deserving Carroll County student-athlete at the conclusion of the fall, winter, and spring sports seasons. The publication also presents an overall Student-Athlete of the Year award at the end of the school year.
All student-athletes who compete at the varsity level for a Carroll County public school are eligible for the award, which is based on athletic achievement, academic achievement and a record of good citizenship in the school and community.

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