Highland’s McSparin ends volleyball career at Alabama with sense of fulfillment

In a senior season that started off playing for a new coach and having some rough patches early, Hayley McSparin embraced a leadership role with the University of Alabama women’s volleyball squad.

She then ultimately saw her career come full circle as McSparin graduated this spring with a master’s degree in sports business management.

“I do feel like I got the most of my senior season,” McSparin, a 2016 Highland High School graduate, said. “I just learned so many different lessons, met so many great people, got to travel all over the world and the country and saw basically everything ... so it was awesome.”

Alabama endured some struggles in 2019, as McSparin and the Crimson Tide adjusted to the style of new coach Lindsey Devine, who took over for former coach Ed Allen, who moved on to Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

“We definitely started off a little rough and had to learn and adjust to coach Devine. As a senior, I had to help the freshmen learn and grow as players .... it put a lot on the seniors right away,” McSparin said.

McSparin, playing at middle blocker as a senior, had a strong campaign with 205 kills. Additionally, she had six matches where she scored more than 10 points.

Her best match of the season came Oct. 9 in a home win over Mississippi State as she finished that match with a season-high 16 points and three kills.

“It was a good (match),” McSparin said. “We just all played together and it was one of those games where I was hot and my teammates did the best for me to get the ball and just have some fun.”

Just a month later, McSparin enjoyed the highlight of her senior season as Alabama played at the University of Missouri. On that night, McSparin showed off her defensive skills near the net as she recorded a season-high seven blocked shots.

The night was extra special for McSparin because a large group of family and friends drove from Highland to watch her play.

“It was always so fun to play at Missouri knowing that it was the closest game to my hometown and all my family and friends got to come,” McSparin said. “There was a whole section just filled up with my friends and family and it was really special to see them and know how supported I had been the past four years and knowing that would be the last time many of those people would see me play.”

Looking back on her senior season and career at Alabama, McSparin said she felt fulfilled by her time on the court there.

“I guess my senior year was like learning and self-growth, but also it was lots of fun,” McSparin said. “I got to play the game that I love one more year and it’s just like all my goals in life ... like the little girl in me who wanted to play college volleyball and I did it.”

What does the future hold for Highland star?

McSparin graduated with her master’s degree a few weeks ago and has decided to retire from competitive volleyball.

“I think my volleyball career is officially over, so I’m officially in retirement,” McSparin said. “There were thoughts of playing overseas, but I don’t think my body would take it any more, so sadly, I’ve hung up the No. 23 jersey and I’m in the real world now.”

She is now working toward finding a position with a professional sports team.

“So, my masters was in sports business management and my goal is to work for a professional team but I’m trying to figure out the (best) way to get there especially with sports being at a standstill right now (due to COVID-19),” McSparin said.

This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 12:11 PM.