Kevin Clark / The Herald                                Monroe’s Tatum McGovern (right) attempts a kill over Jackson’s Ainsley Johanson during a match on Oct. 9 at Monroe High School.

Kevin Clark / The Herald Monroe’s Tatum McGovern (right) attempts a kill over Jackson’s Ainsley Johanson during a match on Oct. 9 at Monroe High School.

5 Things to Know: Monroe volleyball player Tatum McGovern

Even in the most stressful situations, Monroe senior volleyball player Tatum McGovern finds ways to lighten the mood, often by singing the Bearcats’ unofficial team song — “How Far I’ll Go” by Auli’i Cravalho from the “Moana” soundtrack — or dancing during matches.

“She works hard, but she has a special talent for doing it with a light-hearted demeanor,” Bearcats coach April Munoz said. “She has fun at all times. She’s competitive and she pushes her teammates, but she does it in a positive way.”

McGovern has been Monroe’s starting setter for the past three years and a member of the Bellevue-based Sudden Impact club team for the past five years.

Here are five things to know about McGovern:

She’s recovered from a serious hand injury. When McGovern was a sophomore, she suffered a broken right ring finger during a club match. She underwent surgery and worked to rehabilitate the injury for nine months. “It was horrible,” she said. “Going through rehab was a long, hard process, but I came back (more motivated) than ever to get better. In a way, I’m grateful (for the injury) because it made me realize so much about myself and my love for the game.”

She’s played beach volleyball since she was 10. McGovern and Samantha Zimmerman, a senior outside hitter for the Bearcats, have teamed up to compete in summer tournaments at Alki Beach in Seattle for the past several years. “In beach volleyball, since there’s only two players, you get a lot of touches on the ball, and you learn a lot about technique and playing smart,” she said. “It helps you to become more of an all-around player, and you can (translate those skills) to the indoor game. It pushes you to the next level.”

She’s a budding filmmaker. McGovern has made several vlogs, which are available on YouTube. “I made my first vlog two years ago at an Associated Student Body camp at Mount Triumph,” she said. “Mostly I film videos when I travel somewhere — I did one when I went to the national tournament with my club team last July. They’re so much fun. I do it mainly for other people. I love to get feedback, which has been positive — when I filmed one of our football games, everyone wanted to be in front of the camera.”

She’s involved in several school leadership activities. McGovern is Monroe High School’s senior class president, and she’s also a member of the school’s Link Crew and DECA clubs. “Through all of these different clubs I’ve been involved in, I’ve met some of my best friends,” she said. “I love helping others and being involved and knowing what’s going on at all times. I want to leave my mark on the school.”

She considering studying business in college. “I’m very indecisive, but I’ve enjoyed my marketing classes, and I’m a pretty outgoing person, so the whole business networking thing interests me,” McGovern said. “It would be cool to involve my (interest in video and photography) in a marketing job. I could also go into communications or advertising. I’ll probably go to four-year university — hopefully in a sunny state like California to get out of the rain.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.