Aleena McDaniel, is a senior Right Side/Middle Hitter from Indianapolis, Indiana who studies biology and pharmaceutical operations looks to leave a legacy on the volleyball team in her last year at North Carolina A&T State. McDaniel has a lengthy career of accomplishments beginning in her freshman year till the end of last season. As a freshman, she finished second on the team in kills, total attacks and aces, and finished 8th in the MEAC with 0.34 aces per set. McDaniel poured that same work ethic into her sophomore year, by taking home M.V.P honors, leading A&T in kills (280), and double figure kills matches with 13. The 2014 season, was a year full of career bests for McDaniel, with a career-high 19 digs in a contest against home state rivals N.C. Central. “My goal for my last year is to lead my team to a championship, in addition to leading them off the court by serving as a positive role model in our community,” McDaniel said. She has been leading her team off the court but especially in the classroom. In recent years, she was a 2014 All-MEAC academic team selection for the second straight season, solidified a selection in the Pre-Matriculation program for biology before entering college as a freshman. McDaniel served as a research intern in her home state at Indiana University. The volleyball captain is able to balance all her responsibilities with the help from her teammates, and classmates. “My teammates and I set standards for each other, by holding each other accountable. When it comes to maintaining a level of success, I have to surround myself with the right people in my classes to make time after practice to make sure I have time to study. When McDaniel isn’t capturing digs, or kills, she makes time to cater herself by shopping, going to the movies, getting her nails done, and catching up on long lost sleep. Students Taking Responsibility Against Poverty Club, is an organization that McDaniel is a part of and holds near and dear to her heart. “I think that it’s important that we spend our time with kids who are less fortunate.” McDaniel looks to set the bar higher this year, by adding a higher degree of focus in order to lead her team to a championship in her last year. McDaniel looks to further her education after graduation by getting her master’s degree from a surrounding university. The Aggies will start their season next week against Campbell University on September 1, 2015 at 7 p.m. in Moore Gymnasium.