Jacob Zinder is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Mountain Ridge for AZPreps365.com.

Completing goals requires two main attributes: hard work and dedication. These things are known well to Madison Girnius, a senior varsity volleyball player at Mountain Ridge.

Girnius started out playing many sports, mostly softball, but also soccer and basketball. Girnius' father Jason Girnius, coached her in soccer and basketball, since he played basketball when he was younger. At age 12, Girnius wanted to give volleyball a try.

“We kind of fell into volleyball because it wasn't necessarily the direction we were going," Danielle Girnius said.  "We went to a club tryout at the last minute.”

Girnius fell in love with the sport. She was already tall and still growing; she just had to put in the work.

“She has worked really hard,'' Jason Girnius said. "She started out a little bit behind the other girls since they have done club for a couple of years, so she had a lot of catching up to do. She has worked really hard and gotten a lot better and has had a lot of different coaches who have helped her grow and mature.”  

Girnius did start later than most girls, but she was determined to put in the work until a different roadblock came into her life.

With both parents working in the education system, many of the big volleyball clubs' fees were too much for the Girnius family to consistently pay.

“It has been a little bit of a bumpy road for her because unfortunately over time some of the clubs have shut down,'' said Girnius' mom, Danielle Girnius. "She will be there a year and it's fabulous (with) great coaching and the following year the club is gone.”

However, having to switch clubs became a blessing in disguise for Girnius since she met what has become a life-long coach. The second club Girnius joined was coached by Beth Lemke, a three-time state champion with Northwest Christian, and she took Madison under her wing.

“After Beth got her hands on her and started teaching her the right technique that’s when (I knew she could go far),” Jason Girnius said.

Lemke worked privately with Girnius since she saw exactly what Madison could become. “She was the one that said, 'She’s athletic and she has the talent, she has a lot of potential we just got to get her there.'” Danielle Girnius said.

Lemke retired from coaching but that did not stop her from helping Girnius progress as a player. They still keep in contact today.

Going into high school, Girnius was one of two freshmen on a varsity full of juniors and seniors. Girnius used her first year as a learning year.

 “Just the whole experience of being able to play against these girls who have been playing much longer than I have and being able to do the best of my ability to hang with them,'' she said. "That was my biggest thing, the fear of not doing well enough to be on the team.”  

She learned from watching her teammates during games and paid attention to her coaches so she could later apply that to her own game and improve.

“Madison has developed quite a bit over the last four years,'' Mountain Ridge coach Christina Jensen said. "She has always been a talented player, but her ability to read the game and anticipate her opponents has increased exponentially this last year. She is a hard worker and is very dedicated to improving her game. It has been great to see the games where her hard work pays off!”

While Girnius may not be the most vocal player, she always makes sure that her actions speak louder than anyone else on the court.

“Just going out there and giving my best,'' she said. "It helps me as a player and it really helps my team. Those important games really impact the season.”

Everyone that speaks about Girnius talks about her drive and that she never stops until she achieves her goal.

“Maddie is an incredible player on the court,'' Jensen said. "She wants to win. Whether it is a drill, scrimmage, or match, she wants to win the point. She has a great drive to excel and be the best player on the court at any time."

Girnius’ next goal is to play in college. She already has put hours in the gym working on her craft. Everyone that has worked with her knows that she is more than willing to put in the effort and that she knows when she gets to that level, she won’t be taking any breaks.