One Very Special Young Lady
By Trove Reporter Zack Cziryak
March 25 2015
Shelbey Manthorpe
When looking back on a stellar senior season and career, Seton Hall's Shelbey Manthorpe was happy that the Pirates were able to turn some heads in the volleyball world. Particularly in the BIG EAST Conference.
"I think when I first came here we were in the middle of the pack in the BIG EAST. We were underdogs that got a few upsets now and then, which I loved. Initially, that was perfect for me. I've always been in that situation. But I also wanted to be at the top and make our competition nervous when they played us. By the end of this year everyone took us seriously in the league"
The Pirates proved an incredibly tough out for their BIG EAST foes this season as evidenced by a second-place finish in the conference regular season standings at 15-3 and falling to Chreighton in the conference tournament final. The program also turned heads nationally as the NCAA tournament selection committee took notice and awarded the Hall its first-ever tournament bid.
The NCAA tournament appearance, which resulted in a first round loss to eventual national runner-up Brigham Young University, was perhaps the most rewarding for Manthorpe, who was particularly proud of the team receiving an at-large bid.
"It was a great experience. We didn't get the automatic bid from the BIG EAST Tournament but they (the selection committee) believed in us and thought we were a good enough team to be in the national tournament, which was huge for us. I've been competing my whole life and I got to play at the highest level and finish my career on the highest stage."
The season also ended with individual honors for Manthorpe that were bestowed by the league as well as the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Making the honors even more impressive was her off season foot surgery, which kept Manthorpe from fully participating in practice until a couple of weeks into preseason workouts.
Getting back to her normal performance level took time for Manthrope, who credits Head Coach Allie Yaeger for working her hard to help shake off the rust in the early going.
"In the spring I hurt my foot and in the beginning of preseason I wasn't able to practice. I began building back to normal but needed more reps to become comfortable. I just had to not get frustrated. I've been playing for so long that once you get a few reps you get your touch back."
While Manthorpe has clearly been a Seton Hall mainstay and highly decorated for her on-court exploits by the BIG EAST, the conference recently bestowed its Female Scholar Athlete of the Year award on the senior, which marks a first in Seton Hall history.
"I think this is one of the coolest awards that I have ever received since I've been in college. You work really hard on the court and a lot of people see you as just an athlete…" she said. "My mom always told me you need to excel in the classroom and I've always worked really hard on my studies. I think it's great that you can show that you can work hard on the court but also in the classroom as well."
The award, which includes a $4,000 scholarship to be applied toward the selected athlete's pursuit of a graduate program, will aid Manthorpe in her plans to achieve her master's in education. Her present goal represents a shift in plans for Manthrope, who will be graduating this May with a degree in sport management and marketing.
Mathorpe admitted to always having a passion for teaching, thus the plan to pursue a master's in education, but in addition to that goal she hopes to add some collegiate coaching to her resume too.
"I'm hoping to go to grad school for a degree in education and to coach while doing that. So I'll be able to further my studies, but also stay in the sport that I love. I don't think there's anything better for me."
In pursuing a career in elementary education, Shelbey Manthorpe and her twin sister Stacey will be taking separate paths for the first time as Stacey has accepted a district manager position in Piscataway with grocery-store chain Aldi upon graduation.
Having grown up, attended school and played together for the last twenty-plus years it will be a test for the two as they embark upon separate journeys. However, Shelbey knows she'll always be able to turn to her sister at any time.
"She's been a support system for me throughout. Not just in the classroom but on the court. It's awesome to have your teammate that's on the court with you all the time but also can be your teammate in the classroom as well. We're always going to be close. I've been with her throughout my life, we're still going to be there for each other when needed."
A talent in both the classroom and on the volleyball court, Shelbey Manthorpe is turning the page on her life and if her past exploits are any indication the young lady has a very bright future ahead.
Seton Hall will both remember Shelbey and miss her but will always be thankful that the Merion Station, Pennsylvania star decided to bring her considerable talents to South Orange New Jersey.
This post was edited on 3/25 3:20 PM by Halldan1
By Trove Reporter Zack Cziryak
March 25 2015
Shelbey Manthorpe
When looking back on a stellar senior season and career, Seton Hall's Shelbey Manthorpe was happy that the Pirates were able to turn some heads in the volleyball world. Particularly in the BIG EAST Conference.
"I think when I first came here we were in the middle of the pack in the BIG EAST. We were underdogs that got a few upsets now and then, which I loved. Initially, that was perfect for me. I've always been in that situation. But I also wanted to be at the top and make our competition nervous when they played us. By the end of this year everyone took us seriously in the league"
The Pirates proved an incredibly tough out for their BIG EAST foes this season as evidenced by a second-place finish in the conference regular season standings at 15-3 and falling to Chreighton in the conference tournament final. The program also turned heads nationally as the NCAA tournament selection committee took notice and awarded the Hall its first-ever tournament bid.
The NCAA tournament appearance, which resulted in a first round loss to eventual national runner-up Brigham Young University, was perhaps the most rewarding for Manthorpe, who was particularly proud of the team receiving an at-large bid.
"It was a great experience. We didn't get the automatic bid from the BIG EAST Tournament but they (the selection committee) believed in us and thought we were a good enough team to be in the national tournament, which was huge for us. I've been competing my whole life and I got to play at the highest level and finish my career on the highest stage."
The season also ended with individual honors for Manthorpe that were bestowed by the league as well as the American Volleyball Coaches Association. Making the honors even more impressive was her off season foot surgery, which kept Manthorpe from fully participating in practice until a couple of weeks into preseason workouts.
Getting back to her normal performance level took time for Manthrope, who credits Head Coach Allie Yaeger for working her hard to help shake off the rust in the early going.
"In the spring I hurt my foot and in the beginning of preseason I wasn't able to practice. I began building back to normal but needed more reps to become comfortable. I just had to not get frustrated. I've been playing for so long that once you get a few reps you get your touch back."
While Manthorpe has clearly been a Seton Hall mainstay and highly decorated for her on-court exploits by the BIG EAST, the conference recently bestowed its Female Scholar Athlete of the Year award on the senior, which marks a first in Seton Hall history.
"I think this is one of the coolest awards that I have ever received since I've been in college. You work really hard on the court and a lot of people see you as just an athlete…" she said. "My mom always told me you need to excel in the classroom and I've always worked really hard on my studies. I think it's great that you can show that you can work hard on the court but also in the classroom as well."
The award, which includes a $4,000 scholarship to be applied toward the selected athlete's pursuit of a graduate program, will aid Manthorpe in her plans to achieve her master's in education. Her present goal represents a shift in plans for Manthrope, who will be graduating this May with a degree in sport management and marketing.
Mathorpe admitted to always having a passion for teaching, thus the plan to pursue a master's in education, but in addition to that goal she hopes to add some collegiate coaching to her resume too.
"I'm hoping to go to grad school for a degree in education and to coach while doing that. So I'll be able to further my studies, but also stay in the sport that I love. I don't think there's anything better for me."
In pursuing a career in elementary education, Shelbey Manthorpe and her twin sister Stacey will be taking separate paths for the first time as Stacey has accepted a district manager position in Piscataway with grocery-store chain Aldi upon graduation.
Having grown up, attended school and played together for the last twenty-plus years it will be a test for the two as they embark upon separate journeys. However, Shelbey knows she'll always be able to turn to her sister at any time.
"She's been a support system for me throughout. Not just in the classroom but on the court. It's awesome to have your teammate that's on the court with you all the time but also can be your teammate in the classroom as well. We're always going to be close. I've been with her throughout my life, we're still going to be there for each other when needed."
A talent in both the classroom and on the volleyball court, Shelbey Manthorpe is turning the page on her life and if her past exploits are any indication the young lady has a very bright future ahead.
Seton Hall will both remember Shelbey and miss her but will always be thankful that the Merion Station, Pennsylvania star decided to bring her considerable talents to South Orange New Jersey.
This post was edited on 3/25 3:20 PM by Halldan1
