Father's Story Inspires Tech Volleyball Player

Monique Mead is tired, but she is definitely not complaining.

In February, the junior co-captain of Georgia Tech’s Women’s Volleyball Team spent a week in Colorado Springs competing against more than 200 of the top collegiate volleyball players in the country.

Her performance there earned her the right to play for the U.S. Volleyball Women’s National A2 Program in Dallas during the last week of May. Now that June has arrived, she’s back with her Yellow Jacket teammates, participating in 6 a.m. workouts and taking summer school classes, preparing for the upcoming season and working towards her marketing degree in Tech’s Business Management program. 

“Playing with the National Team was a lot of fun, and a great experience,” said Mead. “But I’m also glad to be back in Atlanta with my teammates. It’s tough balancing sports, class work, and a social life at a school like Tech, but it’s possible. You just have to stay focused. The members of our team- we’re all best friends. We basically spend all of our time together. We’re very close, and that should definitely help our team chemistry next season.”

Tech’s Women’s Volleyball Team is coming off an 18-14 season (11-9 in the ACC), and Mead is the top returning starter. She was ACC Freshman of the Year in 2009, an All-ACC player and an AVCA honorable mention All-American. Along with senior Bailey Hunter, Mead gives Tech optimism for the coming season.

“I expect our team to be improved next year,” said Mead. “We’ve worked hard this Spring. It has been tough on everyone, mentally and physically, but it should make us better next season. I think we have a chance to win the conference championship, and that is our goal.”

As for her personal goals, Mead said she hopes to play pro volleyball overseas after graduation. “The sport is a lot more popular in Europe than it is here in the States,” said Mead. “You can make a living doing it, and it's a great way to travel and see the world.” 

Mead also said she would love to compete with the U.S. Olympic team, “if the opportunity arose.” She wouldn’t be the first member of her family to represent her country in international competition. Her father Al Mead won a gold medal in the 1988 Paralympic Games in Seoul, then followed that up with a silver medal at Barcelona in 1992.

“He lost his leg in a childhood accident,” said Mead.  “But that didn’t stop him.”

In addition to winning the gold and silver medals, he was a 14-time national champion in long jump and high jump, and also held the world record in the 100 meters from 1982-1988. In 2006 he became the first paralympic athlete to be inducted in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Monique Mead, a multi-sport athlete as a child, suffered a serious injury of her own at the age of 14. The doctors advised her to limit her activities and select a single sport to focus on. She chose volleyball, and the rest is history.

“My dad always encourages me, always says the right thing,” said Mead. “And of course his own story is inspiring. It helps me to know I can overcome anything.”

Mead and the Georgia Tech Women’s Volleyball Team open the 2011 season at home against Kansas State on August 26, as part of the Georgia Tech Courtyard Classic. The tournament also includes teams from Louisville and Tennessee Tech. The Lady Jackets will begin their quest for an ACC title at Clemson on September 16.