Normal Community’s Alana Whitfield bolstered by tough start to volleyball career

NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — Alana Whitfield admits she was quite the sight when she first tried playing volleyball.

“I had long socks, tank top, baggy shorts, my own volleyball coming in,” said Whitefield. “I was feeling out of place.”

That’s because she wanted to be a gymnast. Then she had a growth spurt in fifth grade and said he couldn’t really “fit” on some of the equipment.

She looked for another sport.

“I did not want to play volleyball. This was not the sport for me,” Whitfield explained. “Then it got really fun and I said, ‘These girls are amazing.’ I love competing and meeting so many new friends in a different culture than what I was used to.”

Whitfield’s love for volleyball really was challenged in seventh grade, however, when she tore ligaments in her knee and had to go through serious rehab.

“It was one of the hardest times of my life,” Whitfield said. “I’m very thankful for that. Then COVID happened.”

But through all that adversity, she stuck with volleyball. Whifield recovered from her knee surgery and worked on her game.

It’s paid off. This summer she verbally committed to play college volleyball for former ISU coach Leah Johnson at Michigan State.

“I think it shows her dedication and care for volleyball,” said Normal community volleyball coach Christine Konopasek . “She lives and breathes this. She loves this.”

She’s only a junior, but Whitfield said she was ready to make the commitment to Michigan State once shed received the scholarship offer from the Spartans.

“I’ll be playing some of the top programs in the nation,” said Whitfield. “That’s nerve-racking but I can’t wait to get that point. I’m definitely excited to get there when it comes.”

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