Mary Macdonald, Volleyball Canada Hall of Fame member and a former top athlete in both volleyball and basketball, passed away recently at the age of 92.
Mary’s impact on volleyball dates back to the 1950s. She won her first National Championship in 1959 and went on to win another four consecutive titles with the Toronto V-Club before moving to Vancouver, building the Alums Volleyball Club, and winning again in 1964 and 1966. At every Championship, Mary was voted to the All-Star Team, and was the MVP in 1964 and 1966. Mary also garnered All-Star status while competing in the American National Volleyball Championships (Philadelphia, 1962).
Mary’s strength and tenacity changed the way women were playing the sport of volleyball during the late 50s and early 60s. Mary not only made her mark on the sport of volleyball, she was an all-round athlete who also played on the National Basketball Team. In 1964, Mary was voted the MVP of the Canadian National Volleyball and Basketball Championships – a feat unmatched by any other athlete.
Mary went on to coach volleyball as a high school teacher for more than 35 years, mentoring and coaching some of the sport’s top athletes over the years.
Among her many accolades, she is a member of the Volleyball BC Hall of Fame and the U of T Varsity Blues Hall of Fame.
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