University Star

Caleigh McCorquodale, senior setter for the Bobcat volleyball team, is about as cool as they come, from stylish sets on the court to a closet filled with all the most fashionable threads.

She is much loved and respected by coaches and teammates alike, toted as a natural born leader.

“She is one of my favorite student athletes I’ve ever coached,” said Coach Karen Chisum.

“She’s a very good setter, but she is just a fun person to be around,” Chisum said. “All of her teammates like her.  She is demanding, but she can also be soft.”

School pride is an aspect Chisum likes to give to her athletes every day.

McCorquodale has received countless numbers of accolades throughout her career. Despite that, McCorquodale said she is most proud of contributing to the Texas State volleyball legacy.

“Just knowing that I had a huge role in the success we had last year and the overall success the team has made makes me really proud to say that I played a sport at Texas State and that I was a part of that accomplishment,” McCorquodale said.

She was voted to the 2011 All-Southland Conference First Team, Southland Conference All-Tournament Team and Southland Conference All-Academic Team for her efforts last year.

With the season coming to a close, it remains to be seen what awards McCorquodale will end with, but she has already been acknowledged as the WAC Player of the Week on Sept. 3 and was awarded the Lamar Invitational MVP award.

Despite all of the personal awards, McCorquodale, just as every good leader throughout history, refuses to let hubris cloud her judgment. She knows there is no “I” in team.

“I have had a lot of things that I have been individually proud of, but I couldn’t have gone anywhere without the team,” McCorquodale said.  “It’s important for me to recognize that and I absolutely do.”

Past the collegiate career in volleyball, McCorquodale said she does not see much competitive volleyball in her future. What she received from experience working with the volleyball teams, however, will always be with her.

What McCorquodale does see in her future is fashion.

“I’m a fashion merchandising major so I either want to move overseas or to New York or (Los Angeles) and try and get really involved in stuff like that,” McCorquodale said. “I want to stay in sports merchandising though, so hopefully somewhere in the athletic world around something that I love to do so much.”

Junior outside hitter Amari Deardorff has been with McCorquodale for three years now and can attest to McCorquodale’s ability to lift others’ play and mood on the court whenever needed.

“I’m always on the court with Caleigh,” Deardorff said. “I have a lot of chemistry with her and she makes me a better volleyball player just because I feed off of her energy and off of her sets.”

It is not only on the court where McCorquodale is looking out for her teammates, however. She looks for any opportunity to set them up with fashion advice and threads when they might need it.

“She is very much so a trendy person,” Deardorff said. “I think she gives the most fashion advice out of any one. Every one definitely raids her closet when we have nothing to wear.”

McCorquodale only has a few more times to sport the fashionable maroon and gold for the volleyball team, but has ensured her legacy will assuredly live on for some time.

It may be teammates looking to her for advice and leadership on and off the court.

It may be a coach with over 30 years of experience claiming McCorquodale is one of her “favorite student athletes.” Whatever the legacy, it goes without saying McCorquodale’s style leaves nothing to be desired.

Twitter: @ TXStatesman