Mesa Community College Basketball team member, Alli Gloyd, was chosen as the top MCC Thunderbird overall female athlete for 2011-2012. Over the past two years she has earned numerous honors.
Other awards Alli claimed this year include: 2012 Player of the Year in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC); 2012 First Team All- American; 2012 First Team All-ACCAC; and 2012 First Team All-Region. For the 2011-2012 season she shot 47.6% from the field and averaged 15 points per goal, 8.8 rebounds per goal, and one block. On top of her athletic accomplishments she is on track to make the All American Academic Team as well this year.
As a first year team member in 2010-2011, Alli also celebrated several successes: 2011 Second Team All-American; 2011 First Team All-ACCAC; 2011 First Team All-Region; and 2011 Impact Newcomer for MCC Women’s Basketball. She averaged 11.5 PPG, 7 RPG, 8 blocks and shot 47.2% from the field and 72% from the line.
The MCC Lady Thunderbirds ended the 2011-2012 season with a fifth place finish at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II national tournament. Mesa was honored with the Team Sportsmanship Award. Alli, along with teammate Kalasia Green, were honored as All-Tournament Players for Mesa.
While Alli has had a successful Basketball career at MCC, she credits the entire team for her achievements, stating, “This was the best year for us as a team. We became a family – sisters. We fought hard together and finished the season on a win and that makes it even better.” Alli adds, “Nothing is impossible without our team. Most of us were freshman when we started and we just got it, understood it and did it.”
Alli’s original plan did not include playing basketball after high school. However, she decided to enroll after her friend and high school teammate encouraged her to come with her to MCC. She began her education at MCC in fall 2011, receiving a Presidential Scholarship and basketball scholarship.
In addition to studying and playing basketball, Alli was a work-study student in the Counseling Department. Alli will graduate from MCC on May 11, 2012 with an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice.
After spending the summer with family and friends and packing up her belongings, Alli will move to Tucson, AZ and begin classes at the University of Arizona this fall to continue her education and basketball career. She has accepted a full ride scholarship.
When reflecting back on her education and basketball career, Alli stated, “I have a strong support system from my amazing team members to the faculty who were great support and worked with my travel schedule. My parents have contributed to my success in academics and on the court. I also have an aunt and uncle that are very involved. My boyfriend of four years has been absolutely amazing.”
Whether it is before practice or before a game, the Lady Thunderbirds recite, “Till the last shot, till the last second, till the last buzzer, we fight, we fight, we fight.” Alli approaches life this way each day.