CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) features Plattsburgh women's volleyball student-athlete Michelle Simmons in this week's Senior Spotlight.
Simmons earned third team All-SUNYAC honors as a junior in 2019, competing in 28 matches and 103 sets. She established the single-season program record in hitting percentage, hitting .301 on 209 kills and 72 errors in 455 total attempts, while ranking ranking second in program history in block assists in a season (99), third in blocks per set (1.29) and fifth in total blocks (134). She overtook the program's career block assist record on Sept. 14 against Skidmore College and currently has 208. Simmons also ranks first in program history in career hitting percentage at .282 on 651 kills and 209 errors in 1,568 total attempts. She averaged 2.03 kills per set (209 total), 1.29 blocks per set (133 total), 0.62 digs per set (64 total) and 0.40 service aces per set (41 total). Simmons led the SUNYAC in blocks per set and ranked fourth in hitting percentage. She hit .400 or better in 11 different matches, including a season-best .700 hitting percentage on 14 kills and no errors in 20 total attempts against Husson University. She fashioned a .538 hitting percentage on seven kills and no errors in 13 total attempts against NESCAC power Williams College. Simmons floored a season-high 16 kills against Curry College and registered a season-high 11 total blocks (three solo, eight assisted) against Husson. She Served up a season-high five aces against SUNY Canton and against Oneonta.
In 2018, Simmons was named a SUNYAC Defensive Athlete of the Week. She competed in 29 matches and 98 sets on the season, averaging 2.41 kills per set (236 total), 0.79 blocks per set (77 total), 0.70 digs per set (69 total) and 0.21 service aces per set (21 total). She constructed a .285 hitting percentage on 236 kills and 75 errors in 564 total attempts, and finished among the SUNYAC leaders in blocks per set (fourth) and hitting percentage (fifth). Simmons hit over .400 eight times, including a season-best .700 hitting percentage on seven kills and no errors in 10 total attempts against Mount Saint Mary College. She floored a season-high 14 kills and added a season-high nine total blocks (three solo, six assist) against the College of New Rochelle. Simmons reached double figures in kills nine times and she served up a season-high seven aces against St. Lawrence University.
In 2017 Simmons competed in 27 matches and 99 sets, Averaging 2.08 kills per set (206 total), 0.74 blocks per set (73 total), 0.35 digs per set (35 total) and 0.27 service aces per set (27 total). She fashioned a .262 hitting percentage on 206 kills and 62 errors in 549 total attempts. Simmons ranked third in the SUNYAC in blocks per set and ninth in the conference in hitting percentage. She floored a season-high 14 kills on two occasions: once against Hartwick College and once against Cazenovia College. Simmons hit .619 against Cazenovia. She reached double figures in kills on 11 occasions. Simmons posted a season-high seven total blocks (two solo, five assist) against Wells College. She enjoyed five matches with five or more total blocks, only one of which went to five sets.
More with Michelle Simmons
When did you start competing in your sport?
I first began playing volleyball in 7th grade in a local league and then went on to play more competitively in club volleyball in 8th grade.
If you weren't playing volleyball what other sport do you think you would play at this level?
If I was not playing volleyball, I would probably be playing basketball due to my height advantage. (I'm 6'0)
What is your favorite memory as a student athlete?
One of my favorite memories was at a tournament in New Jersey. The school we were playing at was beautiful and overlooked the city skyline. I was even able to see the One World Trade Center. As we were leaving, the sunset was gorgeous with the skyline. My teammates and I took plenty of pictures in front of it.
What is your major and why did you choose it?
I am a BioMed major with a minor in chemistry. I chose this major because I have always been interested in science, and have always wanted to go into the medical field.
What are your plans for after graduation?
After graduation, I plan on going into an accelerated nursing program to become an RN. From there, I'm still deciding if I want to become a nurse practitioner or a nurse anesthetist.
What will you miss about being at Plattsburgh?
After I graduate, I will definitely miss playing volleyball with my teammates and being around my friends that I have met while coming to school here.
Who is your favorite athlete and why?
One of my favorite athletes is Misty May-Treanor. I met her at a volleyball tournament one time when she came up to my court and watched my team play.
Who had the greatest impact on you during your athletic career?
My first club coach, Coach White, has pretty much taught me everything I know about volleyball. He was my coach for my first three years of club volleyball.
If you had to eat just one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I had to eat just one food for the rest of my life, it would probably be enchiladas.
What's something about you that might surprise other people?
Since coming to school here in New York, a lot of people are surprised to hear that I'm actually from Southern California.
