Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

The college volleyball season was about to begin and Rutgers-Newark women’s coach Julia Shackford found herself in dire straits. 

“I was very worried coming into the season,” Shackford said. “Our setter quit the team at the last minute, so the first thing I had to do was find a setter.” 

Shackford then looked at one of her most reliable performers, junior Gabi Mangieri, who made her debut a year ago. 

“When I asked Gabi, she just rolled her eyes at me,” Shackford said. 

“It wasn’t that I didn’t want to do it,” Mangieri said. “I used to be a setter in high school, so I was familiar with the responsibility. But I was kind of nervous, because I wasn’t sure where I was on the team. I knew that the setter is the glue to the team and involved in every action.” 

Shackford had faith in Mangieri. Eventually, Mangieri learned the tricks of the trade of being a college volleyball setter. 

“Gabi has done very well,” Shackford said. “She’s always pushing herself in practice to become a better setter. She’s been extraordinarily helpful and been instrumental in keeping every match close.” 

The Scarlet Raiders have not enjoyed a successful volleyball season, as they are still looking for their first win. But that hasn’t stopped the dedicated Mangieri, who is working diligently on becoming a better setter and a better player. 

“She puts in the individual time as she gets more comfortable at the position,” Shackford said. “Her hands are more comfortable now and she’s become much faster. She has good court awareness. Every time we’re running a play, she knows where she is on the court and a lot of that just comes with time. She’s been very dedicated to it. 

Added Shackford, “Gabi has a huge presence on the team. She’s taken over and runs the offense and she’s a very positive influence on our hitters.” 

Shackford said that she knew that Mangieri had developed into a leader during one recent match. 

“Our hitter mishit the ball and she went right over to her and said, `You’re going to get it,’” Shackford said. “She’s always that encouraging. She demands a lot, but she’s always going to encourage first. She’s inspiring to the rest of the team. She expects a lot from her teammates, but she doesn’t want them to get discouraged. That’s essential, especially because of the way we’re playing as a team.” 

Mangieri said that it’s just a case of becoming more familiar with the position and her increased role. 

“I think I still have my ups and downs, but I’m definitely pushing myself,” Mangieri said. “I think the rest of the team needs me to stay strong and keep playing. I do feel comfortable with the girls. I just hope I can continue and be even more of a leader next year. I’m helping to bring the younger and the older players together. I’ve become more of a vocal person. 

Added Mangieri, “I’m never going to give up no matter what and I’m always going to keep my composure. I can’t blow my top, because then the communication falls apart with the rest of the team. So I smile, keep playing, keep working hard and don’t let anything get to me.” 

Shackford likes Mangieri’s personality. 

“She’s a pretty intense person, but she likes to have fun,” Shackford said. “She has a good sense of humor, but she can also be pretty sarcastic. But you can see right away that she’s a very dedicated person in everything she does, not just volleyball.” 

Mangieri was a two-sport athlete at West Orange High School, competing in both volleyball and swimming. She was also involved in the school’s Italian Honors Society and remains active in Italian-American activities, helping with her father, Pat Mangieri, who is a lieutenant in the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey police department. 

In fact, Mangieri has been so inspired by her father that she has chosen criminal justice as a major at Rutgers-Newark. 

“To be honest, I’ve always been Daddy’s little girl,” Mangieri said. “He’s always influenced me and I always looked up to him. I’ve seen him do so many great things in his career that it made me want to do the same. So I already volunteer my time helping Dad’s organization at parades and helping to feed the needy. He’s been my hero and of course, I want to be like him.” 

Mangieri didn’t want to forget her mother, Francine. 

“We’ve become like best friends,” Mangieri said of her mother. “We can talk about anything.” 

But eventually, Mangieri would like to become a police officer, or perhaps move into the field of federal law enforcement, like the FBI or the CIA. 

“We’ll see what happens there,” Mangieri said. 

But one thing is for certain. Gabi Mangieri has become a leader, a force on the Rutgers-Newark women’s volleyball team.