Mandi Morioka verbally committed to Penn State women’s volleyball on October 20, joining Alexa Markley as the second member of the program’s 2022 recruiting class.
Morioka, a 5-foot-7 libero/defensive specialist from Torrance, California, plays her club volleyball for Mizuno Long Beach and is in the midst of her senior year at South High School, where she’s a setter for the Spartans.
Morioka recently took the time to answer a few questions about what led her to commit to the Nittany Lions, how she was introduced to volleyball, and her relationship with Markley, among other topics. Morioka was previously committed to Minnesota, but she flipped her verbal to Penn State following an official visit to University Park.
As things currently stand, Morioka will be the only player on Penn State’s 2022 roster from California, though the Nittany Lions have had plenty of success recruiting the state in the past. Morioka will compete for playing time at defensive specialist alongside a handful of current underclassmen who are contributing this season like Maddy Bilinovic, Quinn Menger, and Cassie Kuerschen.
Like Menger, Morioka gained experience as a setter in high school, which can only help her as she adjusts to playing defense full-time at Penn State. Morioka’s better understanding of what the other team’s offense is trying to accomplish and general setting technique is certainly valuable. Just ask Penn State libero Jenna Hampton, who consistently racks up assists for the Nittany Lions when teams serve at setter Gabby Blossom or otherwise get Penn State out of system.
What were the main factors in your decision to commit to Penn State?
“For me, I took a lot into consideration when choosing a school. First, I knew that I wanted to go to be surrounded by a great atmosphere and get away from home and see something different. I also knew that I wanted to be able to become a better person and athlete. After visiting different schools, I knew I could have all of this at Penn State.”
How many times have you visited campus so far? What was your impression of the facilities and overall environment?
“I have only been to campus once, which was on my official visit, but once our flight landed, I already loved it. It was very different from my hometown and the facilities were awesome. I felt very welcomed and everyone I met was super nice and kind.”
How were you introduced to volleyball? When did you first know you wanted to play in college?
“I was introduced to volleyball through my dad. Growing up, I played a variety of sports and I started playing volleyball when I was in 3rd grade, through a grass league called USYVL. The next year, I began club and liked it a lot more than the other sports I was doing. I began to realize that I wanted to play in college in 6th or 7th grade, and by 8th grade, I quit all the other sports I was playing to pursue volleyball.”
What’s your relationship like with Penn State’s coaching staff? When did you start hearing from them in the recruiting process?
“The staff have been super awesome and honest with me this entire process. I heard from them in mid-September and they were super helpful and open, especially this late in the process.”
Have you had a chance to speak with Alexa Markley yet? If so, what are some things you like about her as a player/person?
“Yes! Alexa reached out when I posted about my commitment and she is super kind and was very welcoming. I have played her a couple times in the past and she’s a really strong and smart player. I can’t wait to get to Happy Valley and play with her. In fact, we’re already planning our dorm room.”
Who has been your biggest mentor to this point in your volleyball career?
“My biggest mentor in my volleyball career is Joy Fuerbringer. From the first time I joined Mizuno Long Beach to now, she has been a big impact in helping me advance as a player and assisting me through the recruiting process. She is my coach for my final club year and I’m super excited to be working with her again.”
How would you describe the high school and club volleyball culture in California?
“The volleyball culture, in general, here in California, is very competitive. I would say that club is more competitive because the best of the best are on many different teams, but high school is very competitive as well. There are a lot of regional high school tournaments where the best teams compete, similar to tournaments in club, where only the top teams in SoCal compete in the regional tournaments called PVLs.”