By Robert Remler
Danielle MacKnight wins medal at Empire State Games
More than $100,000 worth of collegiate volleyball scholarships remained unopened on Danielle MacKnight's kitchen table in Valley Stream. "There are just so many schools to choose from," said Ms. MacKnight, who will enter her senior year at Central High School in September.
Then again, there are also offers to play basketball at college, too. For the past two years, Danielle received All County awards in both sports. Listening to her, it sounds as though her achievements are secondary to the enjoyment of competing.
Ms. MacKnight's latest accolade is a gold medal she just won along with nine other women on the Long Island volleyball team that competed in the Empire State Games held upstate in Binghampton. The Long Island team was pegged to finish second, but pulled off an upset in the finals against a western New York team. "We did better than planned because we really put the time and energy into it," she said.
Eighty women tried to win one of ten available spots on the Long Island volleyball team and Danielle was one of only four women chosen from Nassau County. Introduced to the sport in elementary school, she said volleyball has now become an eleven month sport for her.
Yet her commitment to both volleyball and basketball has not interfered with her academic achievements. Last year, Danielle also achieved High Honor Roll status. Study time is crammed in during car rides to various gymnasiums and while at school.
Last year, she packed her volleyball uniform and school books and went to the Junior Olympics in New Orleans. More recently, Ms. MacKnight's equipment bag accompanied her to London where she participated in the World Youth Games. The trip to England was the first time the Valley Stream resident had been outside of the country. "I got to meet all different kinds of people. I have penpals that live in other states and other countries," she said.
But, don't mention the word star to Danielle because it's not in her vocabulary. "I look at volleyball more as a team sport. I am not out there for myself. The winners need all the people on the court, not just myself to win a game. Everyone helps together," said Danielle.
Susan and James MacKnight make it their business to stay involved with their daughter's athletic career. Mr. MacKnight, who is four inches taller than his daughter's six foot one inch height, gives up his leisure time to drive Danielle to practice sites. Mrs. MacKnight, who works for a local lawyer, sacrifices her time to accompany the two other MacKnight children to their activities.
"We didn't push her to do this," her mother said. "It is something that she enjoys and that's why we are behind her every step of the way." The most gratifying result of her daughter's achievements has been the wonderful experiences and people she has met, Mrs. MacKnight said.
Mr. MacKnight, a burly man who played sports in his youth, though not volleyball, echoed his wife's sentiments with reference to Scott, 12, and Michelle, 19. "They all have different gifts. We don't push anybody to do anything, because you won't excel in sports if you're not having fun with it," he said.
Like teammates on a volleyball court, Susan MacKnight backed up her husband's statement. "I feel each one is special in their own way and will succeed differently than Danielle."
Meanwhile, the hopes and dreams of collegiate coaches remain in unopened envelopes on the MacKnight kitchen table. Eventually, the scholarship offers will get opened and then filed with thirty others in a box underneath Danielle's bed.
