Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
She was a bolt of energy on the court.
After each point the Bronco volleyball team got, there was Darcy Dodd celebrating in her own vibrant way.
Dodd, a sophomore outside hitter, signed her letter of intent Wednesday afternoon to attend McPherson College in McPherson, Kansas.
In two years at New Mexico Military Institute, she tallied 357 kills, 31 service aces and 272 digs in 177 sets played.
"NMMI got me extremely mentally tough and, I feel like at the next level, it's going to be a breeze (after) how much hard work I've put in here with Mila and Shelby," Dodd said. "The last two years, even with COVID the first year, I wouldn't give up for anything."
The Broncos had a stellar fall 2021 campaign, posting an overall record of 33-5.
NMMI competed in its first NJCAA Division I national championship back on Nov. 20. The Broncos finished second overall at the tourney.
The second-place finish was the best for NMMI since placing third in 2017.
NMMI won its first Region V tournament since 2018 after sweeping New Mexico Junior College to capture the title.
The Broncos then made quick work of Arizona Western by notching a sweep to win the Southwest District B title and claim the automatic bid to the national tourney.
Dodd contributed with 259 kills, eight assists, 17 service aces, 179 digs and 25 block assists in 34 matches.
She had a season-high 20 kills against Colby Community College on Sept. 11, which surpassed her mark of 19 kills against Northeastern Junior College on Sept. 4.
Against Colby, Dodd recorded her highest amount of digs, tallying 18.
She tallied double-digit kills in 11 matches.
During the national tourney semifinal match against Butler, Dodd came away with 11 kills to help the Broncos win a four-set battle to advance to the national title match.
Dodd saw action in 23 matches during the condensed spring 2021 season as a freshman, where she had 98 kills, 93 digs, 14 service aces and six assists.
Her best match came against Missouri State-West Plains as she came away with 15 kills and 10 digs in five sets.
"I think it was a once and a lifetime opportunity to get to go to the national tournament. Amazing memories, just little things that added up," she said.
McPherson competes at the NAIA level.
This past fall it finished 16-9 overall after landing in the opening round of the national tournament.
In conference play, the program finished 10-2 overall. McPherson made an appearance in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship.
"Darcy was just big energy all of the time. Losing that type of energy on the court is gonna be hard to replace," said NMMI head coach Shelby Forchtner. "I think if she continues to work hard in the offseason and do the things that she needs to do to be successful, she can go into that program and have a successful two years.
"We don't really care what level our kids go to. It's doesn't matter if it's Division I, NAIA (or) Division III. I think that she's going to have that opportunity to step into this program, start and play for them, and hopefully be really successful."