It is a moment vividly etched in the minds and hearts of many a Sun Devil faithful.
Years of painstaking practice and dedication culminating in one singular, palpable and record-breaking moment.
Materializing in the friendly confines of Wells Fargo Arena, Macey Gardner pivoted, took two strides forward and muscled a vicious attack at a barrage of Cal defenders, the ball ricocheting outside of the court's taped parameters.
A warm embrace from her surveying teammates and a resounding applause in adoration of the moment followed.
On the afternoon of Oct. 4, 2015, Macey Gardner tallied 14 kills in a three-set sweep of the visiting California Bears, her 13th marking No. 1,872 of her collegiate career, cementing her as Arizona State's all-time kills leader.
In a span of a week, Gardner, who seemed at the apex of her playing career would accomplish the aforementioned feat, lead No. 6 Arizona State to its 15th victory, perfect season in tack, celebrate her 22nd birthday, be named the AVCA National Player of the Week and suffer a career-ending injury.
The latter a deterrent in an otherwise promising 2015 campaign for the Sun Devils, occurred in Seattle, Wash., five days removed from Gardner's record-breaking performance in Tempe.
With Gardner sidelined, her career, replete with successes and accolades over, the Sun Devils would only accumulate four more wins on the season, finishing 2015 with a 19-13 won/loss record to their credit and with their dreams of a national championship run stifled. Despite a gut-wrenching, sudden end to her playing days, Gardner's senior campaign merely constitutes a chapter in her ever-evolving Sun Devil story.
On Monday, Arizona State University's head volleyball coach Sanja Tomasevic announced the addition of the former Sun Devil standout to the 2017 coaching staff.
"We are beyond excited to welcome back Sun Devil great Macey Gardner to Arizona State and the Sun Devil volleyball program as a member of our coaching staff," said Tomaseivc. "A high character and hard-working individual, Macey personifies the dynamic family and championship oriented culture we are cultivating here at Arizona State. I contend that the wealth of knowledge and experience she brings, as well as her passion for Sun Devil Athletics and this program will play a pivotal role in our development as a championship caliber program."
"When the phone rang and Sanja was on the other end of the line, my heart may have skipped a beat," said Gardner. "What a gracious and exciting opportunity this is. To say I have some unfinished business as a Sun Devil would be an epic understatement. My desire is to bring the same effort and passion to Sun Devil volleyball in a coaching capacity that I did as a player. I am excited to work with and learn from Sanja, Carlos (Moreno), Amanda (Burbridge), and the rest of the team. I am well acquainted with the challenges they will face as student-athletes. My heart's desire is to do whatever I can to help prepare them to play this wonderful game of volleyball in the best conference in America. Secondly, I am excited to be a part of working together to find the best girls in the country to come represent Arizona State and this wonderful community in Tempe as we build toward the future."
Gardner returns to Arizona State after serving one season as an assistant coach under Shane Pinder at Liberty University. By virtue of her hiring, Gardner joins an illustrious group of former Sun Devil greats to recently return to Arizona State in a coaching capacity including Danny White (Football Coaching consultant), Briann January (Women's Basketball Assistant Coach), and Amanda Burbridge (Volleyball Volunteer Assistant).
Gardner first entered the coaching ranks at the club level, serving as an assistant coach for Club One Volleyball from 2012-15. During her tenure at Liberty, Gardner worked extensively with the team's outside attackers, blocking and serve receive passing.
A valley native who prepped at Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Arizona, Gardner graduated from Arizona State in December of 2015, earning a bachelor's degree in business communication.
MACEY GARDNER TROPHY CASE
Gardner slides into the role previously held by Amanda Burbridge who was hired to Tomasevic's staff on Jan. 17. Burbridge will remain with the team as an alumni relations volunteer.
"I am excited to remain a part of the program and work with such a young talent in Macey as she continues her coaching career," said Burbridge. "Knowing what the job entails and looking at the year-round schedule, I understand my new role is a better fit for Sanja and the staff, and as a Sun Devil, I want this program to have everyone's best efforts, and Macey joining our staff in a full-time role is great for this season and our future."
Years of painstaking practice and dedication culminating in one singular, palpable and record-breaking moment.
Materializing in the friendly confines of Wells Fargo Arena, Macey Gardner pivoted, took two strides forward and muscled a vicious attack at a barrage of Cal defenders, the ball ricocheting outside of the court's taped parameters.
A warm embrace from her surveying teammates and a resounding applause in adoration of the moment followed.
On the afternoon of Oct. 4, 2015, Macey Gardner tallied 14 kills in a three-set sweep of the visiting California Bears, her 13th marking No. 1,872 of her collegiate career, cementing her as Arizona State's all-time kills leader.
In a span of a week, Gardner, who seemed at the apex of her playing career would accomplish the aforementioned feat, lead No. 6 Arizona State to its 15th victory, perfect season in tack, celebrate her 22nd birthday, be named the AVCA National Player of the Week and suffer a career-ending injury.
The latter a deterrent in an otherwise promising 2015 campaign for the Sun Devils, occurred in Seattle, Wash., five days removed from Gardner's record-breaking performance in Tempe.
With Gardner sidelined, her career, replete with successes and accolades over, the Sun Devils would only accumulate four more wins on the season, finishing 2015 with a 19-13 won/loss record to their credit and with their dreams of a national championship run stifled. Despite a gut-wrenching, sudden end to her playing days, Gardner's senior campaign merely constitutes a chapter in her ever-evolving Sun Devil story.
On Monday, Arizona State University's head volleyball coach Sanja Tomasevic announced the addition of the former Sun Devil standout to the 2017 coaching staff.
"We are beyond excited to welcome back Sun Devil great Macey Gardner to Arizona State and the Sun Devil volleyball program as a member of our coaching staff," said Tomaseivc. "A high character and hard-working individual, Macey personifies the dynamic family and championship oriented culture we are cultivating here at Arizona State. I contend that the wealth of knowledge and experience she brings, as well as her passion for Sun Devil Athletics and this program will play a pivotal role in our development as a championship caliber program."
"When the phone rang and Sanja was on the other end of the line, my heart may have skipped a beat," said Gardner. "What a gracious and exciting opportunity this is. To say I have some unfinished business as a Sun Devil would be an epic understatement. My desire is to bring the same effort and passion to Sun Devil volleyball in a coaching capacity that I did as a player. I am excited to work with and learn from Sanja, Carlos (Moreno), Amanda (Burbridge), and the rest of the team. I am well acquainted with the challenges they will face as student-athletes. My heart's desire is to do whatever I can to help prepare them to play this wonderful game of volleyball in the best conference in America. Secondly, I am excited to be a part of working together to find the best girls in the country to come represent Arizona State and this wonderful community in Tempe as we build toward the future."
Gardner returns to Arizona State after serving one season as an assistant coach under Shane Pinder at Liberty University. By virtue of her hiring, Gardner joins an illustrious group of former Sun Devil greats to recently return to Arizona State in a coaching capacity including Danny White (Football Coaching consultant), Briann January (Women's Basketball Assistant Coach), and Amanda Burbridge (Volleyball Volunteer Assistant).
Gardner first entered the coaching ranks at the club level, serving as an assistant coach for Club One Volleyball from 2012-15. During her tenure at Liberty, Gardner worked extensively with the team's outside attackers, blocking and serve receive passing.
A valley native who prepped at Gilbert High School in Gilbert, Arizona, Gardner graduated from Arizona State in December of 2015, earning a bachelor's degree in business communication.
MACEY GARDNER TROPHY CASE
- ASU record holder for career kills with 1,882, 11 more than the previous record holder.
- 17th Sun Devil to record 1,000 career digs, and just the 10th to record 1,000 or more kills and digs in her career.
- Recorded eight matches with 27 or more kills.
- First Sun Devil to earn national honors from the AVCA since Amanda Burbridge was recognized on Oct. 23, 2000.
- 2015 Pac-12 Women's Volleyball Player of the Week.
- 2015 AVCA Player of the Week.
- 2014 AVCA All-Pacific South Region Honoree, ASU's first since 2000.
- ASU's second three-time selection to the Pac-12 All-Conference team (joining Christine Garner (1993-95)).
- 2014 Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention Honoree.
- Selected to play on the Pac-12 volleyball All-Star team in China in 2013
- Owns the ASU freshman records for total kills (577), kills per set (4.40) and kills in a match (28).
Gardner slides into the role previously held by Amanda Burbridge who was hired to Tomasevic's staff on Jan. 17. Burbridge will remain with the team as an alumni relations volunteer.
"I am excited to remain a part of the program and work with such a young talent in Macey as she continues her coaching career," said Burbridge. "Knowing what the job entails and looking at the year-round schedule, I understand my new role is a better fit for Sanja and the staff, and as a Sun Devil, I want this program to have everyone's best efforts, and Macey joining our staff in a full-time role is great for this season and our future."