Volleyball Standout is Fierce on the Court, Fun All Around

It’s not easy to be a standout on a but Amanda Gannon has made her mark as one to watch in the world of girls volleyball.

Gannon plays outside hitter, with the Kings Park girls volleyball team, the current Long Island and Suffolk County A champs and has had an outstanding year. In 2012,  Gannon was honored with six awards, including League Player of the Year, All County Player and was one of only six players who are chosen for All State Selection 1st Team. Did we mention that she carries a 92 GPA and is only in her sophomore year?

Gannon is in her second year on the varsity team and it is her second year as a starter. Her coach Lizz Manly, who has coached Gannon since the seventh grade, calls Gannon a fierce competitor who loves the challenge of getting better and competing with the best.

"She always competes at 100 percent and works very hard in the off season to get her game to the next level," said Manly.

As competitive as Gannon is, she is very much a young girl who likes to have fun, can give others a good laugh and enjoys fishing with her dad. The youngest of three siblings, her mom, who is a volleyball coach at Bethpage High School said Amanda has been by her side at the gym forever.

"She literally 'played' in my belly," said Renee. "She has been a gym rat since age four, sitting on the bench next to me."

Gannon not only plays volleyball, but she also teaches it as a volunteer mentor at Sportime in Kings Park. In the summer, she works in their camp program as well as on weekends helping with birthday parties.

"She exemplifies a positive and fun attitude, always encouraging her teammates and pushing them to be better," said Gannon's 16 U club coach at Sportime, Samantha Mitchell.

Manly said she is looking forward to next season with the girls and said after finishing 3rd in the state two years in a row Gannon and her teammates are hungry for that state title.

"She has certainly made a name for herself in two years at Kings Park," said Manly. "I am very much looking forward to what the next two years will bring."