Byron Center's Mallory Johnson Earns U23 USA Volleyball Roster Spot for Pan American Cup!

This is the kind of story that makes our high school volleyball scene something to shout about: Byron Center senior Mallory Johnson, a 5-foot-6 outside hitter, has been named to the U23 USA Volleyball Pan American Cup roster. She earned it the hard way, spending a week back in mid-July at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs just to try out — and she made the cut. This is a kid who has put in the work forever, first picking up club volleyball at 8 years old and running with the Olympic Developmental Program since seventh grade. A Division 1 all-state selection last fall, she drew interest from around 30 programs before committing to the University of Nebraska. Managua, Nicaragua hosts the Pan American Cup competition September 1-6, and our Bulldog will be there for us. Don't worry about the Bulldogs missing a beat, either — Johnson returns to the high school team September 7, and one of nine returners rejoins a squad that opened a perfect 8-0 with four wins apiece at the Cornerstone Showcase and the Traverse City West Invitational.