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Micha Hancock
Micha Hancock
Micha Hancock
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Micha Danielle Hancock (/ˈmaɪkə/ MY-kə; born November 10, 1992)[1] is an American indoor volleyball player for the United States women's national volleyball team. Hancock played setter for the Penn State women's volleyball team, and won back-to-back national championships in 2013 and 2014. Hancock won gold with the national team at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.[2]

Key Information

Career

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High school

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Hancock played volleyball for Edmond Memorial High School in Edmond, Oklahoma. She guided her team to the 2007, 2009 and 2010 Oklahoma 6A State Championship, was a two-time All-Edmond Player of the Year, All-City Player of the Year and MVP of the State Championship All-Tournament Team. She was named the Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year twice.

College

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She played college women's volleyball at Penn State University. In her freshman season in 2011, Hancock was the Big Ten Freshman of the Year as well as the AVCA Mideast Region Freshman of the Year and set the Penn State single-season aces record with 91. As a sophomore in 2012, she was a first-team All-American and Big Ten Setter of the Year. Hancock set the NCAA Tournament record for aces in tournament play with 22, including the Penn State single-match record for aces with 10. In her final two seasons, she helped Penn State win back-to-back NCAA titles. In 2013, Hancock was named a First-Team All-American and earned NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors, and she became the Nittany Lions' all-time career aces leader with 254. In 2014, she was named the AVCA National Player of the Year and her third consecutive First-Team All-America honor. Under her guidance, Hancock ranked first nationally as a college senior in aces per set (1.05) with at least one ace in all but three matches in 2014. Hancock finished her career among Penn State's all-time career record-holders, ranking first in service aces (380) and service aces per game (0.76), fifth in assists (5,578) and sixth in assists per game (11.16).

Hancock was named as one of the four finalists for the Honda Sports Award in volleyball for 2014–15.[3][4]

International

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In the 2016 Pan-American Cup she was awarded Best Server[5] after she set a new serving record in a single match, first with 11 aces in the pool play against Costa Rica, then 12 aces in the bronze medal match over Cuba.[6] She was named Most Valuable Player in the 2017 Pan-American Cup.[7] She was selected to play the Italian League All-Star game in 2017.[8]

In May 2021, Hancock was named to the 18-player roster for the FIVB Volleyball Nations League tournament.[9] It was the only major international competition before the 2020 Summer Olympics. U.S. won the gold medal for the third year in a row after defeating Brazil in the final.[10]

On June 7, 2021, U.S. National Team head coach Karch Kiraly announced she would be part of the 12-player Olympic roster for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.[11] Primarily used as a backup setter and serving substitute, Hancock stepped in after starting setter Jordyn Poulter injured her ankle during U.S.'s final pool play match against Italy, helping lead the team to victory in 5 sets. In the quarterfinals against Dominican Republic, Hancock started again and led her to team to victory, advancing U.S. to the semifinals.[12] Team USA eventually won the gold medal after defeating Brazil, 3 sets to none.[13]

Clubs

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Awards

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Individuals

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See also

[edit]

List of Pennsylvania State University Olympians

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Micha Hancock

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Micha Hancock (born November 10, 1992) is an American professional player who specializes as a left-handed . She is a two-time Olympian and medalist with the women's national volleyball team, earning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Hancock rose to prominence during her college career at , where she played from 2011 to and led the Nittany Lions to consecutive national championships in 2013 and . She was recognized as the AVCA National Player of the Year in and earned first-team All-American honors three times during her tenure. A native of , she stands at 5 feet 11 inches and comes from an athletic family; her father, Michael, was a professional heavyweight boxer, and her mother, Kelly, played at . Since joining the U.S. national team in 2016, Hancock has contributed to multiple international successes, including gold medals at the FIVB Nations League in 2018, 2019, and 2021, as well as the Pan American Cup in 2017 and 2019, where she was named MVP and Best Setter in 2019. Her professional club career has included stints in , , and , and she played for LOVB in the inaugural 2025 League One Volleyball season. Hancock has also competed in Athletes Unlimited, including the 2025 Pro Volleyball Championship, a professional league in the United States.

Early life and education

Personal background

Micha Danielle Hancock was born on November 10, 1992, in , . She is the daughter of Michael Hancock, a professional boxer, and , a former player at . Hancock has one sister, Kelsey, who played at the . Raised in a sports-oriented family in , Hancock moved with her family to Edmond before to gain better access to elite training opportunities. Her early exposure to the sport began through youth club with Oklahoma Peak Performance, where she trained under coach Edgar Miraku and contributed to a finish at the 2009 USA Girls' Junior National Championships. At 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 meters) tall and weighing approximately 165 pounds (75 kilograms), Hancock developed as a , a position that suited her left-handed playstyle and strategic mindset. This foundational training in Oklahoma's competitive youth scene transitioned her into high school athletics at Edmond Memorial High School, where her emerging talent drew early college interest. Following an initial verbal commitment to the , a coaching change there led her to enroll at Penn State University in 2011.

High school career

Micha Hancock attended Edmond Memorial High School in , from 2007 to 2011, where she played as a on the for four years and served as team captain for three years. During her high school career, she led the Bulldogs to three Oklahoma 6A State Championships in 2007, 2009, and 2010. As a , Hancock excelled in distribution and serving, recording 326 assists and 151 service aces in her senior season of 2010–11 across 77 sets, while also contributing 275 kills and 171 digs. Her serving prowess was particularly notable, with standout performances such as five aces in a single match against Moore High School. Hancock ranked first in for hitting percentage (.489) that year, demonstrating her versatility beyond setting. Hancock earned two-time Oklahoma Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2009–10 and 2010–11, recognizing her as the state's top high school player. She was also a two-time Oklahoman All-City Player of the Year. Regarded as one of the nation's elite high school setters, Hancock was ranked as a 2011 PrepVolleyball.com Top 50 recruit and Senior Ace, which facilitated her recruitment to the collegiate level, ultimately committing to Penn State University.

Collegiate career

Early years (2011–2012)

Hancock arrived at Penn State University in 2011 as a highly touted recruit from Edmond Memorial High School in Oklahoma, where she had been named the state's Gatorade Player of the Year, enabling her to claim the starting setter role as a true freshman. She appeared in all 33 matches, starting every one and playing in 121 sets, where she demonstrated immediate command of the offense with 1,275 assists at an average of 10.54 per set, ranking sixth in the Big Ten conference. Her serving prowess was particularly notable, as she recorded 91 service aces—establishing a new Penn State single-season record at 0.75 per set, which led the Big Ten and ranked second nationally—while also contributing 279 digs, 110 kills, and 59 total blocks. These efforts helped the Nittany Lions achieve a 25–8 overall record and a 16–4 mark in Big Ten play, finishing second in the conference and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Hancock's freshman campaign earned her the AVCA Mideast Region Freshman of the Year award, unanimous selection to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team, Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, and three Co-Big Ten Freshman of the Week recognitions. As a in 2012, Hancock solidified her role as Penn State's primary setter, starting all 36 matches and participating in 125 sets, where she elevated her performance with 1,403 assists at 11.22 per set—second in the Big Ten—and a team-high 81 service aces. She also tallied a career-best 298 digs, showcasing improved defensive contributions, along with 125 kills and additional blocks that supported the team's offensive efficiency. Her leadership on the court grew, as she directed the Nittany Lions to a 33–3 overall record, a 19–1 Big Ten conference mark for first place, and another appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Hancock received widespread acclaim for her sophomore season, including AVCA First Team All-America honors, Volleyball Magazine First Team All-America, Big Ten Setter of the Year, All-Big Ten selection, and multiple weekly awards such as Big Ten Player of the Week and Setter of the Week six times, plus AVCA National Player of the Week. During her early collegiate years, Hancock faced the challenge of adjusting to the intensified pace and physicality of Division I compared to high school, requiring her to refine her and serving consistency under pressure from elite competition. Off the court, she balanced her athletic demands with academic pursuits, though specific honors from this period are not prominently documented; her focus on camaraderie and as an emerging leader helped foster her growth into a vocal presence among teammates.

Championship years (2013–2014)

During her junior year in 2013, Hancock emerged as a pivotal leader for the Penn State Nittany Lions, guiding the team to its first NCAA national championship under her primary setting role. She was named the Big Ten Setter of the Year and earned AVCA First-Team All-America honors, while averaging 11.22 assists per set and recording 82 service aces across 127 sets in 36 matches. In the NCAA Tournament, Hancock's performance culminated in her selection as Most Outstanding Player; she dished out 39 assists in the semifinal sweep of Washington and added 48 assists with 16 digs in the 3-1 championship victory over Wisconsin, where her serves and sets fueled a .298 team hitting percentage. Her aggressive serving, at 0.65 aces per set, disrupted opponents and complemented the team's balanced attack, with hitters like Deja McClendon and Alyssa Westbrook benefiting from her precise distributions to achieve double-digit kills in key matches. In her senior season of 2014, Hancock elevated her game further, leading Penn State to a second consecutive NCAA title and earning the prestigious AVCA Division I National Player of the Year award, along with unanimous All-Big Ten selection. She ranked first nationally in aces per set at 1.01, amassing 126 aces— an NCAA single-season record—while averaging 11.49 assists per set over approximately 125 sets. Her serving prowess, including at least one ace in all but three matches, pressured defenses and contributed to her finishing her career with Penn State records of 380 total aces and 0.76 aces per game. In the , Hancock orchestrated a 3-1 upset over top-ranked Stanford in the semifinals with 55 assists and followed with 36 assists and five digs in the 3-0 championship sweep of BYU, where the Nittany Lions hit .233 as a team under her direction. Hancock's fostered a dynamic team environment, blending her setter vision with vocal encouragement to maintain high energy and execution in high-stakes scenarios. Upon completing her collegiate career, Hancock graduated from Penn State in December 2014 with a degree in communications arts and sciences, marking a seamless transition from student-athlete to professional pursuits.

Professional career

Club career

Following her collegiate success at Penn State, where she earned multiple All-American honors and contributed to back-to-back NCAA championships, Hancock secured her first professional contract in . In January 2015, Hancock joined Imoco Volley in Italy's Serie A1 as a replacement for Alisha Glass, marking her professional debut in one of 's top leagues. During the 2014–15 season, she helped the team reach the league playoffs, though specific individual stats from her stint are limited in records. Later that year, she moved to Indias de Mayagüez in Puerto Rico's Liga de Voleibol Superior Femenino for the 2015 campaign, adapting quickly to a shorter off-season schedule while providing setting support in a competitive Caribbean league. Hancock's mid-career saw her establish a strong presence in Poland and from 2016 to 2024, showcasing her versatility across leagues known for high-intensity play. In the 2015–16 season, she signed with MKS in Poland's Orlen Liga alongside fellow Penn State alum Deja McClendon, contributing to the team's playoff push. The following year (2016–17), she transferred to Impel , where her serving and setting helped stabilize the squad in the Polish top division, though no major titles were secured during her tenure. Returning to in 2017, Hancock spent two seasons (2017–19) with Saugella Team , extending her contract in 2018 and aiding the club's growth in Serie A1. From 2019 to 2022, she played for Igor Gorgonzola , earning three consecutive Best Server awards in Serie A1 (2020–22) for her left-handed jump serve, which generated a league-high 38 aces in the 2021–22 regular season. With , she reached the Italian Cup final in 2021, serving a match-high 9 aces in a semifinal win, finished as Serie A1 runner-up in 2021, and secured third place in the 2021 . Her final European stints came from 2022 to 2024 with Reale Mutua Fenera , where she averaged strong setting numbers—such as 19 assists in select matches—and helped the club finish sixth in the regular season standings in 2022-23. No significant injuries disrupted her play during this period. In 2025, Hancock returned to the for her professional career, debuting with LOVB in the inaugural League One season. She recorded 544 assists, 159 digs, and 10 total blocks across the campaign, highlighting her defensive range and distribution skills in a domestic league emphasizing player development. Notable performances included 47 assists and 9 digs in a February win over LOVB Austin, 46 assists with 15 digs in a March five-set victory against LOVB Atlanta, and earning LOVB Player of the Week honors on January 20 for a 40-assist, 12-dig effort that powered a .348 team hitting efficiency. Later that year, Hancock signed with Athletes Unlimited Pro Volleyball Championship on May 5, participating in the fall season where she averaged 9.8 assists per set and 2.6 digs per set over 25 sets in 10 matches, with standout games like 42 assists against Team Hoffman on October 13. Throughout her professional tenure spanning , , , and the U.S., Hancock has demonstrated adaptability to diverse league styles, from the technical precision of Serie A1—where she amassed over 1,000 assists in multiple seasons—to the physical demands of Polish Orlen Liga. Her career aggregates emphasize serving prowess, with consistent ace production that carried over from college, though comprehensive pro totals remain league-specific due to varying reporting standards.

International career

Hancock joined the senior women's national team in 2016, making her debut at the Pan American Cup in the , where she earned the Best Server award after setting a tournament record with 11 aces in a single match against and later breaking it with 12 aces against in the bronze medal match. The team secured bronze, marking her initial contribution to international success as a serving specialist and backup . In 2017, Hancock played a leading role in the Pan American Cup victory, guiding the U.S. to gold with 31 aces across the tournament and earning MVP, Best Server, and Best Setter honors in the final against the . She also contributed to the , appearing in matches including the Nanjing finals and helping the team finish fifth overall. The following year, she supported the U.S. to gold in the inaugural FIVB Volleyball Nations League and a fifth-place finish at the . Hancock repeated her dominance at the 2019 Pan American Cup, where the U.S. claimed gold and she was named MVP and Best for her precise distribution in key sets against the . She also aided another Nations League gold that year, solidifying her role in the team's offensive orchestration. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021), Hancock served as a setter and serving substitute, stepping in during critical moments such as the semifinal against and providing 28 assists and 12 aces across the tournament to help secure the U.S.'s first Olympic gold in women's volleyball with a 3-0 final win over . She continued contributing to Nations League golds in 2021 and 2022. For the 2024 Paris Olympics, Hancock entered as an alternate but replaced injured starter on July 31, taking over as primary setter for the remainder of the tournament. She orchestrated key victories, including a 3-2 quarterfinal win over with 32 assists, and helped the team earn silver after a 3-0 gold-medal loss to . As of November 2025, Hancock has not announced retirement and remains eligible for national team selection, though she focused on professional league play in 2025 without reported senior team appearances.

Awards and honors

Collegiate awards

During her tenure at Penn State University from 2011 to 2014, Micha Hancock amassed numerous accolades recognizing her exceptional performance as a , particularly her precise distribution, aggressive serving, and leadership in guiding the Nittany Lions to back-to-back NCAA championships in 2013 and 2014. These honors underscored her pivotal role in elevating Penn State's offense to national prominence, where she consistently ranked among the top setters in assists and aces per set. Hancock earned first-team All-American honors from the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) three consecutive years, in 2012, 2013, and 2014, becoming the 17th player in program history to achieve this feat and highlighting her sustained excellence in orchestrating high-efficiency attacks. In 2012, as a , she was named Big Ten of the Year after leading the in assists and aces, a distinction she repeated in 2013 as a junior. She also secured three selections to the All-Big Ten first team across 2012, 2013, and 2014, with her 2014 honor being unanimous, reflecting her unmatched impact on Penn State's dominance. At the national level, Hancock was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 2013 NCAA Tournament, where her 47 assists and 12 aces across five matches propelled Penn State to the title, setting a tournament record for aces in the process. In 2014, she capped her collegiate career by winning the AVCA Division I National Player of the Year award, the highest individual honor in the sport, after directing an offense that ranked among the nation's best in hitting percentage and kills. Additionally, she earned MVP honors at the 2013 Penn State Invitational, where her serving and setting sparked early-season victories against ranked opponents.

Professional and international awards

Hancock has earned numerous accolades in her professional club career and with the U.S. national team, underscoring her role as a premier setter known for her serving prowess and playmaking. Her international honors include two Olympic medals, multiple Pan American Cup distinctions, and successes in FIVB competitions. In Olympic play, Hancock contributed to the U.S. women's team's historic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games, marking the program's first Olympic triumph in the sport. She also helped secure a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the team finished as runners-up after a competitive final against Italy. At the Pan American Cup, she was named Best Server in 2016 while leading the U.S. to bronze. She was named MVP, Best Setter, and Best Server while leading the U.S. to gold in 2017, and repeated as MVP and Best Setter for the 2019 edition, again guiding the team to the title. Her contributions to FIVB events further highlight her impact, including gold medals with the U.S. at the Volleyball Nations League in 2018, 2019, and 2021. On the club side, Hancock received three consecutive Best Server awards in Italy's Serie A1 league from 2020 to 2022 while playing for Igor Gorgonzola , where she set multiple serving records. These honors reflect her aggressive serving style, which has been a hallmark of her professional game.

References

  1. https://www.teamusa.com/profiles/micha-hancock-872555
  2. https://olympics.com/en/athletes/micha-hancock
  3. https://www.lovb.com/athletes/micha-hancock
  4. https://usavolleyball.org/athlete/micha-hancock/
  5. https://www.avca.org/award/2024-avca-division-i-player-of-the-year/
  6. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/olympics/2024/07/31/micha-hancock-team-usa-womens-volleyball-roster-2024-paris-olympics/74619160007/
  7. https://auprosports.com/volleyball/athletes/micha-hancock/
  8. https://auprosports.com/read/olympians-jordan-thompson-and-micha-hancock-join-2025-au-pro-volleyball-championship/
  9. https://gopsusports.com/sports/womens-volleyball/roster/player/micha-hancock
  10. https://www.news9.com/story/5e34c9e5e0c96e774b34dee8/ncaa-volleyball:-close-relationship-with-coach-set-micha-hancock-up-for-success
  11. https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/volleyball-nations-league/players/132835
  12. https://onwardstate.com/2011/10/20/ten-questions-with-setter-micha-hancock/
  13. https://dignittanyvolleyball.com/micha-hancock-3/
  14. https://www.maxpreps.com/ok/edmond/edmond-memorial-bulldogs/athletes/micha-hancock/?careerid=p9g9hvqdslg00
  15. https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/Micha-Hancock/30540
  16. https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/Micha-Hancock/30590
  17. https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/2011/03/24/high-school-notebook-memorials-micha-hancock-switches-to-penn-state/61175980007/
  18. https://dignittanyvolleyball.com/micha-hancock-serves-up-a-winning-formula/
  19. https://dignittanyvolleyball.com/2014-psu-roster-unofficial/micha-hancock-stats/
  20. https://www.ncaa.com/news/volleyball-women/article/2013-12-22/penn-state-defeats-wisconsin-3-1-fifth-championship-seven
  21. https://gopsusports.com/news/2013/12/22/womens-volleyball-captures-sixth-ncaa-national-championship
  22. https://www.king5.com/article/sports/penn-state-beats-the-huskies-3-0-in-volleyball-semifinals/281-307807715
  23. https://www.ncaa.com/news/volleyball-women/article/2014-12-19/penn-state-senior-micha-hancock-wins-avca-di-national
  24. https://gopsusports.com/news/2014/12/18/hancock-earns-avca-national-player-of-the-year-honors
  25. https://www.ncaa.com/news/volleyball-women/article/2014-12-21/byu-no-match-penn-state-nittany-lions-grab-seventh
  26. https://www.psu.edu/news/athletics/story/micha-hancock-nominated-2015-espn-espy-award
  27. https://gopsusports.com/news/2014/12/18/twenty-seven-student-athletes-receiving-diplomas-this-weekend
  28. https://www.volleywood.net/leagues/italy-leagues/ncaa-mvp-micha-hancock-replaces-alisha-glass/
  29. https://kids.kiddle.co/Micha_Hancock
  30. https://worldofvolley.com/latest_news/poland/53140/pol-w-former-penn-state-stars-sign-for-dabrowa-gornicza.html
  31. https://www.legavolleyfemminile.it/micha-hancock-confermata-in-regia-alla-saugella-monza/
  32. https://worldofvolley.com/latest_news/italy/113109/italian-cup-w-hancock-serves-as-many-as-9-aces-leading-novaras-way-to-final-against-imoco.html
  33. https://volleyballmagcom.wpcomstaging.com/usa-womens-volleyball-vnl-052521/
  34. https://en.volleyballworld.com/volleyball/competitions/legavolley-femminile-a1/2023-2024/players/132835
  35. https://women.volleybox.net/micha-hancock-p1834/awards
  36. https://women.volleybox.net/micha-hancock-p1834/indoor_tournaments
  37. https://gopsusports.com/news/2021/08/7/hancock-washington-to-play-for-womens-volleyball-gold-at-tokyo-olympics
  38. https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/micha-hancock
  39. https://apnews.com/article/paris-2024-volleyball-women-united-states-21a69de3b4023217d1aaea6cd627eb63
  40. https://gopsusports.com/news/2024/08/1/washington-hancock-help-usa-womens-volleyball-take-down-serbia-at-paris-olympics
  41. https://onwardstate.com/2012/11/28/womens-volleyball-takes-home-10-honors-from-big-ten/
  42. https://allowhertoplay.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/micha-hancock-makes-things-happen-as-penn-state-captures-ncaa-volleyball-title/
  43. https://www.fivb.com/does-hancock-hold-the-aces-for-usa-at-tokyo-2020/
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