ROBERT L. AND WILLIAM P. McCAHILL AWARD
Allisa R. Barber, H Sci ’20
Cedarburg, Wis.
The most decorated player in Marquette women's volleyball history, Allie was a three-time AVCA All-American and graduated as the program's all-time kills leader with 1,871 kills.
The Cedarburg, Wisconsin, native was named the BIG EAST Player of the Year twice in her career. Allie was a four-time All-BIG EAST First Team selection and earned Co-Freshman of the Year after bursting onto the scene in her first year with 219 kills.
“This Marquette University Alumni National Award holds a special meaning to me because it doesn’t focus on a singular aspect of achievement but instead encompasses excellence in academics, athletics and service to others,” Allie said. “This award speaks to who I try to become as a person instead of simply measuring my abilities on the volleyball court.”
Allie led the team to four-straight NCAA Tournament berths and led the Golden Eagles to their first Sweet 16 in program history. Throughout Allie’s career, Marquette won 101 games, which ties her senior class for the winningest class in program history.
She was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, earning first team honors, a nominee for the NCAA's Woman of the Year and the 2019-20 BIG EAST Sport Excellence Award winner for volleyball.
In the classroom, Allie graduated in May 2020 with a bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences and earned a 3.98 grade point average. The 2019-20 College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-American of the Year was a member of Alpha Sigma Nu and Chi Alpha Sigma honor societies and was selected as a four-time BIG EAST All-Academic team member.
While at Marquette, Allie was also actively involved in the community, which included a service trip to Costa Rica to build multi-purpose courts in 2018, volunteering for the Milwaukee Miracle League and as a cook for Campus Kitchens, as well as being a member of Marquette's Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
Allie is currently taking a gap year while working as a medical scribe in a hospital to gain clinical experience while applying for medical school. The former All-American earned an MCAT score in the 98th percentile.
Fun Facts:
Someone (past or present) with whom you'd like to have dinner: Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Most Impactful Marquette Faculty/Staff Member: Dr. William Cullinan
Favorite Marquette Memory: Beating Wisconsin on the road during the 2019 season. Our volleyball team came back from a 0-2 deficit to win the match in five sets against a strong Badgers team. The strength and grit our team demonstrated in that match was so exciting and special to be part of.