Milwaukee, Wis. — As summer winds down and the 2025–26 academic year approaches, Mount Mary University volleyball player Abigail Manthey (Waukesha, Wis.) is making the most of her time both on and off the court. 

Manthey, a graduate student in Mount Mary's Master of Counseling/ Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, has spent her summer making an impact at New Life Resources Inc. clinic, where she is already well on her way to completing the 700 hours required for her degree. By the end of summer, she will have logged nearly 100 hours of clinical experience. 

"Overall, it has been an amazing experience, and I've learned so much," she shared. "I have a huge passion for working with kids and teens, and I really get to lean into that through this internship." 

"There are so many ways to lead," Manthey expressed. "Through my training and experiences, I've learned how to lead in a caring, genuine way rather than an authoritative one." She strives to be a safe space for her teammates, even in a competitive environment. "They're more than just people I play volleyball with—they're people I get to walk through life with." 

Mental health is not just a career focus for Manthey—it's something she prioritizes in her own life as well. During volleyball season, she says her mental health thrives. "Volleyball is my biggest outlet. It's where I can forget about what's happening in life," she said. "It's when I'm the most active, enjoying my sport, being competitive, and surrounded by people who share the same passion." When Manthey finds fears clawing in, she remembers why she plays, extends thankfulness to the ability to play volleyball, and leans into her support system around her.  

In the off-season, she keeps her mental health strong through outdoor activities like coaching, kayaking, hiking, beach volleyball, and running. She also finds joy and peace in her faith. "Even if everything else is failing, my faith remains," she said. "I value spending time in my Bible, prayer, journaling, listening to worship music, and staying active in my church." 

This summer, Manthey explored Wisconsin's natural beauty—kayaking along the Mukwonago River, hiking sections of the Ice Age Trail, and completing a 21-mile trek around Lake Geneva. She also made her way to the Apostle Islands, where she hiked along sea caves, biked on Madeline Island, and paddle boarded on Lake Superior. Before returning to preseason training, she's planning one last camping trip to High Cliff State Park. 

Manthey's leadership, resilience, and intentionality are evident both on and off the court. On October 26th, 2024, in a hard fought five set battle against Moody Bible, she etched her name into the record books, setting a new program milestone with 43 digs in a single match—the most in Mount Mary volleyball history. 

For more coverage on Manthey and the women's volleyball team, follow @mountmary.vb on Instagram and Mount Mary Women's Volleyball on Facebook. Stay up to date at mtmaryathletics.com