My name is Mackenzie Pitera and I will be graduating in 2023 from Lake Forest High School in Lake Forest, Illinois. My athletic ability is recognized by my High School and Club coaches as a versatile volleyball player with a 29.5” vertical, quick reflexes and court agility. As the only all-around player on the team, I play as an Outside Hitter and Defensive Specialist. On the court, I’m known as “Big Mac” for my ability to attack and score from the outside, right-side and back-row. In college, I am open to playing any position the team needs as my passion for the sport surpasses any designation. Whether playing as a pin hitter, DS, libero, or setter, I will to the highest of my abilities. 

Having played over 550 matches as an all-around player, I have led my teams with the most aces, kills, digs and serve receives, at both LFHS and Sky High Volleyball Club. As a 5’10 player, my coaches trust in my vertical jump and blocking capabilities to derail the opposing team. Beyond my competitiveness, my ability to read the ball and anticipate where it is going have distinguished me as a player. 

The IHSA Varsity season was incredible this year! I played my heart out with 225 kills, 36 Aces, 145 digs, and 224 serve receives in 25 matches played.  This season I was named to the All-Conference Team and All-Academic Team and all tournament twice. As a team we won our First Regional Championship in eight years, beat our rival school Libertyville High (for the first time in ten years), and finished second in our conference. Averaging 10 kills per match, coach Tia Rebecca knew I would leave it all on the court every match.

Over the six years at Sky High Volleyball the club has always played up in age groups. Last season, at the age of 15, I played on the 17s top NorthShore team for coach Chas Kennedy, leading the team with 456 kills, 66 aces, 186 defensive digs, and 405 serve receives in 52 matches played. This year, I am playing OH/DS on the 17 Black team for Coach Diana Neill. In addition to practice, I spend 10-12 hours a week weightlifting to improve my strength and agility, and recently box jumped 4ft2in.

My strong work ethic extends to my academic performance as well. With a 4.9/5.0 GPA, I’ve been on the honor roll every semester since Junior High. Further, I participate in Student Council Government, GIVE, Environmental Club, Peer Tutoring, and Community Service Projects and many organizations (Feed My Starving Children, Catholic Charities, Bernie’s Book Bank, Outward Bound) to give back to my school and community. 

I am beyond excited to begin my college journey, where I look forward to growing as a volleyball player, student, and person. My leadership, athletic versatility, academic rigor, and community participation makes me a well-rounded competitive student-athlete with a tremendous ability to contribute to a future team and school. For more information, please email me at mackenziepitera2023@gmail.com or my coach Diana Neill at ispyke13@aol.com. 

NCAA ID: 2108305683