Lead-scorer and 18-year-old Moorpark College Women’s Volleyball player Miranda Poole is an exceptional player and was instrumental to the Raider’s victory this year.
“She [Poole] has been a big part to our success this season,” said teammate and outside hitter for the Raiders Alexis Wolf. “Playing alongside of her makes our team more of a threat to other teams because of her striking.”
Poole holds some of the highest records on the volleyball team this season. As a college freshman and Kinesiology major at Moorpark College, Poole finished the regular season with a total of 273 kills. Eighteen of Poole’s kills were made on Nov. 8, during a 3-0 victory against Ventura College in which the Raiders claimed the Western State Conference North Division title that they share with Santa Barbara City College.
In terms of kills per set, Poole has an overall record of 4.48, which is the highest score on the team. She also participated in 680 total attacks this season.
“Throughout this whole season, she’s [Poole] made plays that really gave us a boost and momentum to come out with strong,” said Wolf. “She makes a lot of winning plays for us.”
However, volleyball was not always the focus of Poole’s athletic journey; she was a soccer player for eight years beforehand.
At age 14, she entered her freshman year at Camarillo High School where she tried out for the school soccer team. When Poole didn’t make the cut, she decided to try out for the volleyball team instead.
“[She thought] I might as well try out, it doesn’t hurt,” said Poole. “I want to play a sport because I’m athletic and I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t play a sport so I tried out, made the team, and I just loved it.”
Since that accomplished moment, she played volleyball all four years of her high school career and joined a fifteen’s club team called the Ventura County Volleyball Club. There, she learned to appreciate the finer aspects of volleyball.
“I love all my coaches,” said Poole. “The past two coaches I had, Steve Yoshimoto and Erin, who was my club coach, I look up to them because they taught me everything I know.”
What Poole loves most about the sport is that it goes far beyond the game itself. Playing on volleyball teams allowed her to create new bonds with her teammates.
“[I love] the competitiveness and having a team to just be there for you, even on the court or outside of the court, and outside of everything,” said Poole. “They’re lifelong friends and it’s just great having those people.”
Volleyball has allowed Poole to see the near future of her talents. She hopes to eventually transfer to a California university and compete in the highest level one day.
First-year head coach Adam Black of the Moorpark College Raiders has high hopes for Poole, as he is surprised with how poised she is. Black is also impressed with her consistency game after game.
“She has proven to be a very good leader,” said Black. “Whenever we need a necessary play, she always seems to come through and get us through that hump we are in.”
Even with all the achievements she has made this season, Poole is still very eager to learn and get better year after year.
“With volleyball, there’s always something to improve on,” said Poole. “You’re never going to be done learning, even if you’re a professional , you’re always going to have something to learn.”
