UNF volleyball player Mahalia White receives national recognition for her comeback story
University of North Florida volleyball player Mahalia White was named the Class of 2023 Honda Inspiration Award winner, given annually by the College Womens Sports Awards to a female student-athlete who has overcome physical or emotional adversity, injury or illness or experienced personal sacrifice during her college enrollment.
White was one of three finalists and the first UNF student-athlete to receive the honor. The other finalists were Harvard lacrosse player Grace Taylor and Denver gymnast Lynnzee Brown.
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White, a redshirt junior, was second-team All-ASUN and led the conference in points per set (4.49) and kills per set (4.1). She was 38th in the nation in kills per set and led UNF in kills, kills per set and points per set.
She was also the UNF representative on the ASUN's Winners for Life Fall 2022-23 team, awarded to one student-athlete from each school who exhibits extraordinary achievements in and out of competition.
White began her college career at the University of California-Davis, where she was the Big West freshman of the year in 2017. Shortly after that season, she was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma and missed the next season.
After returning, Davis was named to the All Big West team in 2019. After the Big West volleyball season was suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she suffered a season-ending ACL tear in 2021.
However, she transferred to UNF and became one of the ASUN's top offensive stars.
In three full seasons at the Division I level, White has tallied 1,076 kills, 301 sets played, 108 blocks and 248 digs.
White will be honored with the Class of 2023 at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion Club on June 26, with the ceremony aired on the CBS Sports Network at 8:30 p.m. (Xfinity Channel 393). Her story and the other finalists were told during the special "Defying the Odds: The 2023 Honda Inspiration Award."
This special will be replayed on June 26, at 8, leading into the Collegiate Women Sports Award program.
"The most important thing, as I look back on everything that's happened, is how grateful I am," she said. "I'm very proud that the whole nation will know my story and I hope that will be an inspiration them them. If it moves people and touches their hearts, I'm glad I can have that kind of influence."
The CWSA has honored an Inspiration Award winner for the past 35 years.
White advanced through a national nominating process by sports information directors and athletic directors of NCAA schools, with the final decision made by the CWSA board of directors.
“Mahalia’s amazing journey as a volleyball standout at the University of North Florida pales in comparison to her fierce grit and determination in overcoming the impact of her illness and all the adversity it presented,” said Jean Lenti Ponsetto, Chair of the CWSA Board of Directors. “Her strength and courage are enduring examples for all to admire and celebrate."
White will return to UNF for her senior season and said the pieces are in place for a run at the ASUN championship.
"I thought we had a strong team last year," she said. "We've lost only one senior and we have a great spring. I think we're motivated and I'm really looking forward to it."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: UNF volleyball player Mahalia White honored by Collegiate Womens Sports
