Marissa Cox thinks the future looks good for the Washburn Ichabod volleyball team.

Cox, a junior rightside hitter, became interested in volleyball when her sister Mandi, who was a Lady Blue from 2004-2007, played at a young age. Cox decided she liked what she saw and wanted to pursue her own career in volleyball. At Central Heights High School, Cox earned four time all-area and all-region honors as well as two all-state honors throughout her career.

Before her junior year at Central Heights, Cox wasn’t interested in Washburn. However, the success of the team, campus and the overall atmosphere drew her in. Cox said even though Coach Herron is intense, he’s a great person to play for and the team is fun.

As far as success goes, Cox said the team is successful because players are in the right positions. Setter, Abby Wittman, is one example.

“Abby is a really good setter, she made all-MIAA last year. I think she gives the hitters good balls to be successful with,” said Cox.

Cox earned all-MIAA honorable mention last season as a sophomore. For this season, Cox is hitting a .341 percent with 188 kills on the year so far.

“She contributes in every way possible,” said Tatiana Schafer, freshman outside hitter. “She’s a leader who gets us all in the right mindset. We go to her for everything… she does it all.”

The Bods are a young team this year with new players trying to find their way into rotation. Cox is confident that despite the inexperience, they are getting better each game and that will begin to show soon. Their goals are set high like beating Nebraska-Kearney and Central, and Cox is hoping that happens.

Off the court, Cox is a biology education major who likes to travel for fun when not getting together with the team.

“She is the funnest person to be around,” said Schafer. “She is hilarious all the time, cracking jokes and lightening the mood, it’s a great time to be around her and we all love it.”