University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia Volleyball Feature: Mara Martin Becoming A Bulldog
October 23, 2007 | Volleyball
Martin, a setter from Monroe, Michigan, spent her first two years of college playing volleyball for the University of Michigan. After an unsatisfactory second season at Michigan, Martin began a search for a new home. Several possibilities later, she found herself at the University of Georgia.
“Coach (Joel) McCartney called me up and said Georgia was going to be really good this year and I could help out the program,” says Martin. “He’s a great coach.”
Martin’s UGA teammates and the community have made her feel instantly welcome in Georgia. Martin moved to Georgia this summer and was immediately accepted as a Georgia Bulldog.
“I love the team, the chemistry is great, and everyone is really involved and clicks together,” says Martin. “The whole community supports Georgia. Anywhere you go, whether it’s downtown or to get your haircut, everyone likes the Georgia Bulldogs. It’s awesome and really good support.”
John Martin, Martin’s father, has been fortunate enough to make it down to Georgia for some of her games and although he struggles with the distance, he is happy for his daughter’s success at Georgia.
“It’s been pretty difficult because of the distance, and we want to come see her play all the time,” says John Martin. “But the main thing is it’s not about me, it’s about her happiness, and she loves it down here. Georgia hospitality is out of this world, and it has really made her feel comfortable.”
An all around athlete, Martin also played basketball and ran track in high school. She always wanted to play volleyball at a collegiate level and juggles life as a student athlete because of her passion for the sport.
“I’ve always been really competitive and volleyball’s a competitive sport,” says Martin. “It helps me get that out, and I love it.”
Eager to share her enthusiasm of volleyball with others, Martin offers the following advice for aspiring college volleyball players.
“There are so many levels of play and options for college,” she says. “If you really want to play volleyball, keep playing. There’s club and high school. There are many options for young girls to play.”
Martin has played in 79 games for the Bulldogs, and she leads the team with 893 assists, averaging 11.30 assists per game. She has also posted 169 digs, 29 blocks, 55 kills and eight service aces for Georgia.
This weekend, Martin will help lead the Bulldogs on the road in a pair of Southeastern Conference eastern division matches. On Friday, the Bulldogs will be in Knoxville, Tenn., to take on the Tennessee Lady Vols (8-12, 3-9 SEC) at 7 p.m. ET, and on Sunday, the Bulldogs will be in Lexington, Ky., for a 1:30 p.m. meeting with the Kentucky Wildcats (17-6, 8-4 SEC). Georgia played each school earlier this season at home, defeating Tennessee 3-2 but falling to Kentucky 3-1.
