My Volleyball Story: Dana Hallisey

Each Wednesday throughout the summer, Montana volleyball student-athletes and coaches will tell their volleyball stories. Read, in their own words, what the sport means to them and where their passion and drive comes from.

My Volleyball Story: Dana Hallisey

Dana Hallisey_young

Volleyball has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Some of my life's earliest memories involve sitting in the corner of a gym with my siblings, watching my parents play with their coed team. We would attempt to play from a distance and would frantically panic when we lost the ball and it would roll toward the court. Once we were old enough, we would get to play in a practice drill here or there, and it was the biggest day when we got invited in. My two siblings and I would constantly be inventing a new volleyball game in our basement, trying not to wreck the heater in our garage as we peppered inside during the Canadian winter months or peppering on the lawn all summer long.

Volleyball was such an integral part of the Cranston household growing up, but not in a way that involved pressure or expectation. Instead, in a way that grew a true love for the game and brought us all together while doing it.

I have such fond memories of bus rides or pregame dance parties with my teammates. Dressing in ridiculous outfits to try to win a team award at a banquet or trying to have the best team cheers. Of all the miles and hours my parents put in to get me to games, tournaments, tryouts, etc., I have such fond memories of traveling and exploring new places through this wonderful game.

Dana Hallisey_CSU

I remember when I was young I decided I wanted to play volleyball in college, play professionally and one day play in the Olympics. I am not sure what sparked that thought, but I was so motivated to achieve it from that point forward. I played college volleyball at Colorado State and absolutely loved my time as a Ram. I met some of my best friends there, was pushed to a point I didn't think I could achieve and was really taught what it meant to be a part of and steward tradition.

After college, I spent my summers playing for Team Canada and played professionally in France and Germany. These years were so much harder and so much more than I ever expected them to be. I really learned about mental toughness and understood the practical functioning of a team. I learned what a blessing you could be to a group of people if you understood that this was all about something bigger than yourself.

Dana Hallisey_Canada

As we approached the Rio Olympics, we unfortunately did not qualify. One of my most vivid memories of my volleyball career was sitting in the locker room after my last game, knowing I would never achieve my dream of competing in the Olympics. I remember the defeat and sadness that came with fully believing we could do it and then coming up short. I also remember crying with my teammates knowing that they were the only people who knew what we were feeling in that exact moment. I remember hugging my friend Lucy, and I will never forget the words she shared with me in that moment.

Volleyball is so much more than a game. It is a vessel to which some of my greatest victories and defeats were brought to fruition. It brought me to people who opened my eyes to beauty and joy in ways I could never have imagined.

And now, it has brought me to coaching. I didn't always want to be a coach. As my playing career came to a close, however, I began to see the game a little differently. I became obsessed with our film sessions and desired to better understand strategy in a new way. After volunteering at my alma mater for one season, I took the job at Montana.

Dana Hallisey_coaching

This job has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I have learned so much during my three years here and come to work every day so grateful for the opportunity to be a Griz. To know the love and support of Griz nation gives us the desire to represent them well on the court, in the classroom and in the community as a collective unit. To battle in the Brawl of the Wild. To build a culture full of Grit, Gratitude and Family. To battle every day to make this better!

As a coach, volleyball looks a little different. It is now the vessel that allows me to do life with 16 young women during one of the most transformative seasons of their lives. It involves me teaching and explaining, but also me learning, growing and adapting. It is a place for untamed competition, raw courage and risking it all. And it is a place to dream – for the growth of our group, the game as a whole and each individual I get to come in contact with because of this one ball. I am so grateful for this game, and all it has taught me, brought to me and what it will continue to do.

June 24 – My Volleyball Story: Moreno
June 17 – My Volleyball Story: Garrido
June 10 – My Volleyball Story: Vander Ploeg
June 3 – My Volleyball Story: Godwin
May 27 – My Volleyball Story: Gleasman
May 20 – My Volleyball Story: Nestegard
May 13 – My Volleyball Story: Semadeni

University of Montana Athletics

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