Margie Giordano will play her final home game as a Sun Devil on Saturday against Oregon.
Her squad is just 12-15 (3-11 Pac-10) this season, and with just four games remaining is battling to stay out of last place in the Pac-10 Conference.
But none of that will likely diminish the senior outside hitter’s legacy as a member of the volleyball program.
After starring at Glendale Mountain Ridge High School, where she won the 5A State title her senior year, Giordano arrived at ASU as a determined walk-on in 2005.
“I knew my sophomore year of high school that I wanted to play volleyball in college,” Giordano said. “My senior year, ASU told me they didn’t have any scholarships left to offer me, but I decided to [come] anyways.”
It didn’t take long for Giordano to grow on former ASU coach Brad Saindon as a player who could step in immediately and contribute.
During her freshman season, Giordano started 26 and appeared in all 28 of ASU’s matches.
She recorded a double-double (17 kills and 13 digs) in just her second game. Her performances earned her Freshman All-Pac-10 honors.
“I have always been very competitive,” Giordano said of her on-court attitude. “I hate losing. I have always strived to be the best, and I compete every day I’m on the court.”
When change rattled the ASU program — Saindon’s departure following the 2007 season led to the hiring of current coach Jason Watson — Giordano said keeping her focus was an easy task.
“We only made the NCAA Tournament one season in my first three years here, so I knew a new coach was probably the best thing,” she said. “It was a great transition and I know great things are going to start happening to this program with Jason.”
Giordano’s rapport with Watson seemed to continue her individual success.
Early this season, Giordano began cementing position in the program’s history.
On Sept. 19 against the University of Albany, Giordano tallied 12 digs. More importantly, she became only the eighth player in program history to record more than 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in a career.
“It’s such an honor to achieve that,” Giordano said. “I didn’t realize it had even happened at first.
“I guess it shows that hard work really does pay off. I’m very honored.”
With Giordano’s career totals comes the realization of her final games as an active Sun Devil. Giordano said she hopes to have a lasting impact on the program.
“I always have tried to lead by example,” she said. “I don’t yell and boss people around. I want my actions to reflect on this team into the future.
“This program is on its way to becoming a top Pac-10 school that will be in the top three every year. I’m so happy to be part of something that is going to [be] great.”
Giordano’s sense of leadership will continue far beyond the realm of the volleyball court. The senior plans to continue her education at ASU to obtain a masters degree, so she can become a high school teacher.
“I feel like I never applied myself to school the way I feel I should have,” Giordano said. “I want to use my leadership skills I have learned from volleyball to help kids who are like I used to be.
“I want to influence kids and make a difference in people’s lives.”
Reach the reporter at ryan.g.campbell@asu.edu.
