This week’s athlete of the week is UMC Volleyball player, Porsha Porath, a 6’1 Sophomore from Windom where she attended Windom High School.
Porsha has had a great start to her sophomore season. Porath has earned All-Tournament honors in each of the Golden Eagles two tournaments including last weekend’s Huskies Classic in St. Cloud. Porath racked up 63 kills during the four matches with a hitting percentage over .200 in three of the four matches. Porath led the way with 23 kills in UMC’s lone win of the weekend over South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. She already has 108 kills, 68 digs, and 12 blocks in eight matches this season. “Porsha has really grown over her time here with us, and she has done a great job for us this season. She has taken on a 6 rotation role which has her passing, attacking, blocking, playing defense, and more – and she has really stepped up to the challenge for us,” said UMC Coach Sarah Rauen. “She has made a lot of big plays for us and we are excited to see how she continues to grow and improve throughout her career.”
During Porsha’s freshman season she appeared in 26 matches with 24 starts while playing in 66 sets. She had 164.5 points in her debut season with 147 kills averaging 2.23 kills per set. She had a season-high 14 kills against Minnesota State-Mankato in her first year.
In High School, Porsha tallied 369 kills during her senior season at Windom High School. She was named All-Big South Conference during her senior season. Porath broke the school record for career kills September 7, 2017 as she notched her 1,292nd kill of her career. She had 1,595 career kills at Windom High School. As a junior, Porath was selected All-Big South Conference and Worthington Daily Globe All-Area. She reached her 1,000th kill as a junior for Windom High School. Porath was also named All-Big South Conference, All-Area and MN Class A All-State as a sophomore. As a freshman, she was named All-Area Second team and All-Big South Conference Honorable Mention. She was a five-year starter and letter winner at Windom High School. Porath was named to the Minnesota Class A Showcase All-Tournament Team as a sophomore. She was selected as one of the Top 75 juniors by Minnesota Breakdown in 2016. Porath competed at the club level as a sophomore and junior for Kairos Elite Volleyball Club in Sioux Falls, S.D. As an eighth-grader and ninth-grader, she competed for Southwest Minnesota Juniors out of Marshall.
In high school, Porsha was in track and hockey.
First started playing volleyball – 12 years old
What do you feel is the strongest part of your game – My hitting
Part of your game that needs work – My defense
Toughest Volleyball player you’ve ever faced – Taylor Reiss of Southwest Minnesota State
Biggest thrill in your athletic career so far – Beating the reigning conference volleyball champion in high school
Do you have a pre-game ritual – Listen to music
Favorite gym – Halenbeck Hall
Favorite sport – Volleyball
Favorite sports team – Minnesota Wild
Favorite athlete – Hannah and Paige Tapp, University of Minnesota
Favorite TV program – Songland
Favorite food – Chicken Alfredo
What music are you listening to – 6lack (R&B)
Something about you that people don’t know – Had jaw surgery at 15
You are stranded on a deserted island and you can have ANY three people with you – little brother Cragen, Mom Kristen, Aunt Kim
Plans after graduation – Live somewhere warm
Family –
Dad – Paul (Sells used cars in Windom)
Mom – Kristen (Administrator for Cottonwood County)
Brothers – Tylan (18) and Cragen (15) attends Windom High School
