Since seventh grade, Whitehall senior Dylan McGinley has discovered his increased love for volleyball. Unfortunately, this spring, he didn’t have the chance to finish the final chapter.

Coming off a district title last season, the hunger for the volleyball and basketball standout was rather insatiable.

“I was very pumped to get back into the swing of things,” said McGinley. “I was really ready to attack this season, and I was left heartbroken. When everything was stopped, we were ready to get into a tournament at Freedom.”

An Honor Mention East Penn Conference (EPC) choice as an outside hitter, the 6-foot-7 McGinley racked up an impressive log of 298 kills, 162 digs, 44 blocks, and 40 aces last year. He figured to an integral part of another deep Zephyrs’ run this season.

“If Dylan’s season wouldn’t have been cut short due to COVID, he would have dominated the league,” said Zephyrs’ head coach George Cowitch. “He came into this season with a great mindset, a team leader for sure.

“He is so talented, and being 6-7 and athletic doesn’t hurt either. Coming off a good junior season, he was definitely an MVP candidate for the EPC, and no doubt our best outside hitter.”

Without a sport this spring, McGinley needed to adjust to his regular livelihood.

“I like scheduling,” he stated. “Life was put on pause and we all had to stay focused. We just had to take a different perspective on everything.”

McGinley took the lead from older brother Logan, and began his volleyball career in middle school. His brother has been major influence.

“I remember watching him play and thinking it would be pretty cool,” recalled McGinley. “I figured that I would try it, and I have become pretty good with it.

“Ever since we were young, he (Logan) always has shown me the right path. He showed me the ways to succeed.”

McGinley also cited the motivation of recent graduated teammate Joe Herman.

“He (Herman) always got on me if I wasn’t giving 100 percent,” said McGinley. “He knew how to push you to play. He was always getting on me to be better.”

Two years ago, McGinley’s career took a positive turn.

“It was sophomore year that everything started to fall into place,” noted McGinley. “I felt then that I could do something in the sport. I also knew that I had to work on my defense. That was the part that was lacking in my game. “It took a while and it was a matter of not being afraid to fail. I knew that I had to stay with it and push myself when I struggled.

“We won the Nazareth tournament and went 18-0 during the regular season. It was a great group of guys and I knew everything was headed into the right direction.”

McGinley will head to Albright College in the fall to continue his basketball career and pursue a degree in Crime and Justice. His goal is to be a police officer.

“I wanted to keep playing volleyball, but I didn’t want to give up my dream of playing basketball in college,” said McGinley. “My uncle is a cop and he has shown me some many things over the years and told me about the profession.

“I really think it would be cool to be a policeman.”

It will give McGinley another chance to begin and - this time - finish another chapter of his life.