Micha Hancock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Micha Hancock |
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Hancock in 2016
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Micha Danielle Hancock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | November 10, 1992 McAlester, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 76 kg (168 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Spike | 305 cm (120 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Block | 297 cm (117 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College(s) | Penn State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volleyball information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Setter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | LOVB Houston | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| National team | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Micha Danielle Hancock (born November 10, 1992) is an American indoor volleyball star. She is a key player for the United States women's national volleyball team. Hancock plays the important position of setter, who sets up the ball for other players to score.
As a college player, she led the Penn State team to win two national championships in a row in 2013 and 2014. One of her biggest achievements was winning a gold medal with Team USA at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Contents
Micha's Volleyball Journey
High School Star
Hancock played volleyball at Edmond Memorial High School in Oklahoma. She was a fantastic player and helped her team win the state championship three times in 2007, 2009, and 2010.
She received many awards for her skill. She was named the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year two times. This award is given to the best high school athletes in the country.
College Champion
Hancock went to Penn State University to play college volleyball. She made a big impact right away. In her first year, she was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. She also set a school record for the most aces in a single season with 91. An ace is a serve that the other team can't return and scores a point.
As a sophomore, she was named a first-team All-American. This means she was recognized as one of the best college players in the entire country. She also broke an NCAA Tournament record by scoring 22 aces during the tournament.
In her last two years, she led Penn State to win the NCAA national championship twice. In 2014, she was named the AVCA National Player of the Year. By the time she finished college, Hancock held the all-time record at Penn State for service aces with 380.
Playing for Team USA
Hancock's powerful serve made her a star on the international stage. At the 2016 Pan-American Cup, she was named Best Server. She set a record by scoring 11 aces in one match and then broke her own record with 12 aces in another match. The next year, she was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2017 Pan-American Cup.
Olympic Glory
In 2021, Hancock was chosen for the 12-player U.S. Olympic team for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. During the tournament, the team's starting setter, Jordyn Poulter, got injured. Hancock stepped in and played a huge role.
She started in the quarterfinal match against the Dominican Republic and led her team to victory. Team USA went on to win the gold medal, a historic first for the U.S. women's volleyball team.
Professional Career
After college, Hancock began playing for professional volleyball clubs around the world. Playing for different teams has allowed her to experience volleyball in countries like Italy, Poland, and Puerto Rico.
Penn State University (2011–2014)
Imoco Volley Conegliano (2015)
Indias de Mayagüez (2015)
Dąbrowa Górnicza (2015–2016)- Impel Wrocław (2016–2017)
- US Pro Victoria Monza (2017–2019)
- Igor Gorgonzola Novara (2019–2021)
- Megabox Volley Vallefoglia (2022–2023)
- VBC Casalmaggiore (2023–2024)
- LOVB Houston (2024-present)
Awards and Recognition
Hancock has won many individual awards for her amazing skills as a setter and server.
- 2015 Nominee for Honda Sports Award (volleyball)
- 2016 Pan-American Cup "Best Server"
- 2017 Pan-American Cup "Best Server"
- 2017 Pan-American Cup "Best Setter"
- 2017 Pan-American Cup "Most Valuable Player"
- 2019 Pan-American Cup "Most Valuable Player"
See also
List of Pennsylvania State University Olympians
