Arizona’s sand volleyball team is lucky to have the dynamic duo of Madison and McKenna Witt.
The twins from Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale, Arizona, arrived to the UA with plenty of accolades, having led their high school team to back-to-back third-place finishes in the State Championships.
McKenna earned offensive player of the year and led both her high school and club teams in kills in 2011. She was also named to the all-division second team and in 2012, she made first team all-division and was named MVP her senior season.
Madison had much of the same success as well. She made the all-section second team and all-division second team in 2011 before being awarded all-section first team, all-state first team and defensive player of the year in 2012. She led both her club and high school teams in blocks.
The Witt twins made the decision to attend the UA when scholarship offers lured them to the Arizona community. They finished their freshmen season with a record of 13-15.
The two competitors revealed their potentials as sophomores in a stellar season when they led their team to a 27-6 record, with notable wins over ASU, Boise State, UCLA, California and Oregon.
“We have been here the longest and like to lead by example,” Madison said.
Madison and McKenna made history by participating in the AVCA Collegiate Sand Volleyball Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The twins were also selected by the USA Volleyball Beach High Performance Elite 10 for the under 21 age group in 2015.
The twins placed second in the Cal Poly Pairs Tournament in March in the same year, then defeated Sophie Bukovec and Alexa Strange of top-seed USC one month later.
The twins continued their individual success and as a pair as juniors this season, remaining unbeaten throughout the year. With another win over ASU on Thursday, the undefeated duo improved their pairs record to 17-0.
“It’s more than for ourselves and there is more suspense playing against ASU,” McKenna said. “They are our rivals and it is important to rep the UA.”
With the Pac-12 Tournament right around the corner, the twins expressed both their individual and team goals. They want to beat ASU one more time, take care of their side of the court and play their hardest.
The sisters’ relationship has only benefited them as a pair on the sand.
“It makes our game stronger because we communicate naturally and I know what Madison needs to hear if she is in a rut.” McKenna said.
The Witts and the Arizona sand volleyball team face off against ASU in Tempe on Wednesday before heading to the Pac-12 Conference Championships in Los Angeles next week.
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