Power and Precision
From Mississippi beginnings to Centennial Conference stardom
by Tony Moore
Volleyball was barely on the map in Jackson, Miss., when 10-year-old Mallie Thomas ’28 picked up the sport—and immediately fell in love with it.
“My uncle was the coach, and my cousin was on my team,” she says. “But it was a very low level of play since volleyball was a new sport in Mississippi and none of the coaches had any experience.”
What started as a family pastime quickly became a passion. Though Thomas swam competitively through middle and high school, she eventually realized she preferred volleyball’s teamwork and camaraderie. That love of the game—and Dickinson’s academic reputation—would ultimately pull her 1,000 miles north.
“Volleyball brought me to Dickinson, but I first heard about it when my college counselor suggested it to me because of its strong academics,” says the psychology major. “It’s very far from home, but I wanted to get out of my comfort zone, so I emailed our coach and we hit it off right away.”
The 5-foot-10 sophomore outside hitter made an immediate impact. In 2024, she posted 235 kills, 167 digs and a team-leading 56 aces. She elevated her game even further in 2025, leading the team in kills (408) and digs (313) while ranking in the top five in assists and aces.
Her proudest moment came during a five-set thriller against Haverford—the Red Devils’ first win over the Fords in nine years.
“We had only played two other five-set games this year and had lost both, so it felt like the odds were stacked against us,” she says. “The team all came together, everyone supported each other, and we were ultimately able to win the set after being down in it twice.”
Off the court, Thomas says, the same sense of connection defines her Dickinson experience.
“I’d have to say I like the people here the best,” she says. “My team is so close, especially my sophomore class, and I know I’ve made my friends for life.”
Read more from the winter 2026 issue of Dickinson Magazine.
TAKE THE NEXT STEPS
Published March 18, 2026