Make no mistake, there’s a correlation between the Falmouth High School volleyball team fighting its way into the state tournament and Marianna Moore returning to the lineup for the Clippers. The senior middle hitter for the Clippers was one of the most dominant players in the Atlantic Coast League before an injury to her shoulder sent her to the sidelines.

Without Moore in the lineup, the Clippers struggled a bit, and the season took a bad turn. It looked like, despite a solid start to the year, that the team might miss out on a trip to the postseason. However, Moore was cleared to return to the team late in the season, though she will need surgery later on, and FHS fought its way into the state tourney.

Falmouth’s tall senior captain is the daughter of Paul and Laura Moore, and the youngest of their three children. The all-star player is a good student at FHS, where her favorite subject is anatomy. She said that her most-prized possession is an old stuffed animal, a dog named “Toffy,” that she’s had since she was 2 years old.

When she’s not blocking hits, Marianna works part-time at La Cucina Sul Mare as a hostess. She said that her favorite movies of all-time are the “Harry Potter” series of movies, and that her favorite TV show is “That’s So Raven.” She also favors the boy band musical stylings of One Direction.
How did you get involved with volleyball? How much do you enjoy it?

Well, seeing as I am 6 feet tall, and basketball never interested me, I decided to put my height to good use. I began playing the summer going into my freshman year at a volleyball camp in Barnstable, and I immediately fell in love. From my freshman year to my senior year, my love for volleyball continued to grow and it is definitely a very positive part of my life.

The Clippers rallied to qualify for the state tournament after a bit of a rough patch. How satisfying was it for your team to reach that goal, and what made it possible for the team?
There is no better feeling than knowing that all of your hard work during the season paid off. When our coach told us that we made tournament we could not wipe the smiles off our faces. Something that people don’t get to see is that our team is a family, our chemistry on and off the court definitely helped us throughout the season. We never stopped pushing and we were determined to prove that we deserved a spot in the tournament.

You play for a new coach this year. What did coach Tranchell bring to the table that made a difference for the team?

Let’s just say I was pretty excited when I found out that my coach was practically the same height as me. Coach Tranchell made my senior year a very positive one, and I feel as though our team as a whole was able to grow because of her knowledge of the game. She never gave up on us, and when we doubted ourselves she was the one we were able to turn to for help. Our practices have always been very productive and she always knew what we needed to get done in order to improve in each game.
You missed a couple of weeks this season with a shoulder injury. How did you get hurt? How difficult was it to have to sit on the sidelines and watch while your team struggled without you?
It was our fourth game of the season, and we were away against Bourne High School and I went up to hit the ball and I felt my shoulder pop out. Sitting on the sidelines was definitely something I was not good at. It was difficult to not be able to contribute, and be a leader when I felt as though my team needed me.

As a middle player, your height comes into play quite a bit. Do you prefer playing offense or defense? Why?

As a middle hitter, people may think that I do not usually play defense because I am rarely in the back row, however I feel as though I am a stronger player defensively. The blockers are the first line of defense, and it is definitely my favorite part of the game. There is no better feeling than when a girl goes up to hit and you completely stuff her in the face.

Your father is the head coach of the hockey team at FHS. Your brother also played hockey. Did you ever have any interest in the game yourself?

I’ve always liked the sport, however I never had an interest in playing it. My mom put my sister and me in figure skates before we got the chance to know what hockey was.

What is your favorite sports-related memory?

My favorite sports-related memory would definitely have to be this year on Senior Night when we were in our third set against Bourne, and we had quite the lead after already winning the first two sets. We thought that if we did not win this game we would not be making tournament, however when my coach called a timeout, she told us that we had already qualified for tournament and I have never been more excited.

Do you have any sports-related superstitions? If so, what are they?

Yes, I have quite a few superstitions. I always have to put my right sock and shoe on before anything else. Before every game I have to make sure that I eat an apple and an oatmeal raisin walnut Cliff Bar. I also have to wipe off the bottom of my volleyball shoes before every serve.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from playing sports?

Playing sports has definitely taught me how to be leader. I was the captain both my junior and senior years and its always a good feeling to know that your peers look up to you.
Who has been your inspiration?

My inspiration has been my sister ever since I was little. I’ve always admired how kind she was to others, and how she never failed to put a smile on people’s faces. She is my older sister and I have always looked up to everything she did. She had a passion for sports and school, ever since I could remember and it was always a quality I hoped I could acquire as I grew up. She never doubted any of the decisions I made, and was always proud of anything I did, I could only hope to be as good of a role model as she is one day.

Is there anyone that you would like to thank?

Of course I have to thank my parents, they have been there for me through everything and are always putting up with my nonsense. I definitely would not be where I am now without them.

What’s the most interesting place you’ve ever visited? Is there somewhere in the world that you’ve always dreamed of going? Why?

The most interesting place I have visited would have to be the Dominican Republic. I’ve always dreamed of going to Italy, because my mom’s whole family is Italian and I highly enjoy pasta and pizza.
What is something about Marianna Moore that people would be surprised to learn?
I am not going to be in the WNBA, I probably have the biggest feet in all of Falmouth High School, and I highly enjoy sleeping.

If you could have dinner with any four people (dead or alive), who would they be and why?

I would have dinner with Raven Baxter, Ron Weasley, Amanda Bynes, and Harry Styles, because they have all been my idols throughout my youth.
Describe your idea of the perfect day.

My perfect day would consist of sleeping half the day away, then watching movies for the rest of the day, along with having a whole barbecue chicken pizza to myself.
What are your post-high school plans?

I hope to attend a four-year college and study physical therapy, and if the opportunity presents itself I would also like to play volleyball.
Where will Marianna Moore be in 10 years, and what will she be doing?
In 10 years I will be living somewhere where it is warm all the time with a lot of puppies while running my own business on the side