GROTON – From scoring goals in soccer at a record rate to playing backrow defense for the volleyball team, from initiating the offense in basketball to clearing hurdles in track and field, McKenna Tietz always finds a way to make a difference.

The Groton senior brings new meaning to the term time management in her various roles with the Tigers.

Last week, Tietz helped Groton edge Roncalli in a five-set thriller in volleyball, and two days later she broke the school scoring record in soccer.

Tietz is one of many girls in Groton that are able to compete in two fall sports at the same time.

“Our coaches do a really good job about scheduling games and doing our practice schedules, where we’re able to go to volleyball and soccer,” Tietz said. “Half of our volleyball team plays soccer and vice versa. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t have a team for one or the other.”

Tietz said the volleyball match, played against a rival in front of a loud gym, was actually more fun that breaking the soccer record that was set last year by Jerica Locke. Tietz now has 34 goals and counting.

“I honestly didn’t know I was that close until like two games before when coach told me,” Tietz said. “I didn’t really realize I had that many.”

Tietz, who finds herself as a focal point of the offense, said the record is meaningful because it shows she is doing her job.

“It’s great to have that. It shows that I do contribute,” Tietz said. “There’s some games where I don’t score, and then I feel like I need to because that’s my job being up on the offense. It’s a way to reward the defense for working hard back there.”

And Tietz definitely has an appreciation for defense, because that is one her main roles on the volleyball squad.

“Everything starts with the pass,” Tietz said. “We have to be passing good to get to a good set to get to a good hit.”

Tietz knows that she is often the one responsible for setting the sequence in motion.

“Back there, it’s like you start it,” she said. “You set the tone.”

It’s very much the same on the basketball floor, where as a guard, Tietz is a primary ball handler who tries to work the ball inside or find open teammates on the perimeter.

“I’m more of like that one to get the play going,” Tietz said.

While not the tallest member on the basketball team, Tietz uses her athleticism and determination to make a major impact.

“On the defensive end having speed helps,” Tietz said, “and sometimes being little, it’s just like a little nit flick, and you’re nit-picky at ‘em.”

When suggested that she might want to add another sport like wrestling to have two activities in the winter as well, Tietz said she is already involved with the school dance team. That unit performs at halftime of the boys’ games, which means a pretty demanding schedule on nights with doubleheaders.

“Our doubleheaders, I get done with the basketball game and I have to go fix my makeup, my hair, get into costume and go stretch for the performance in like 20 minutes,” Tietz said.

Then there is spring, where Tietz is a multiple state place winner in the hurdles as well as in various relay races.

“That is a fun season. I really enjoy it,” Tietz said. “I really like running with those girls. It’s a very rewarding sport.”

Regardless of running in an individual hurdles event or being a member of a realy squad, Tietz enjoys the feeling of satisfaction crossing the finish line after recording a solid time.

“When you cross that line and you get like a PR or you win with other people or just yourself, people are so supportive of you,” Tietz said. “It’s just so rewarding and so fun. I really enjoy that sport.”

As if her schedule wasn’t demanding enough, Tietz is also the school’s FCCLA president, Health Occupational Students of America social chair, 4-H vice president, and serves on the yearbook staff.

It should come as no surprise that Tietz already has her career choice already planned out. She will attend Northern State and major in both elementary education and special education. She will no longer participate in sports, choosing to end her career with one final season with her teammates that have become so close to her.

“I just decided to end my track career in high school with the girls that I’ve ran with for so long,” Tietz said.

Tietz has played in state championship soccer games, SoDak 16 contests in volleyball and basketball, and in numerous state track and field meets.

Yet, none of the results of those events are what Tietz will remember most about her time with the Tigers, choosing to recall instead all of the special moments spent with teammates through the years,

“Hanging out with these girls and having the time with them is worth more than any win or loss that we had,” Tietz said.