Freshman Tatum Tindall became one of only 11 Manhattan natives in program history to continue their volleyball careers at Kansas State this year. It’s safe to say it was a dream come true.
Raised as a huge K-State fan, Tindall took notice of the family environment at K-State from a young age.
“I’ve grown up going to so many K-State volleyball games, and other athletic games too,” Tindall said. “Going to K-State camps for volleyball … everyone here is just super nice and supportive.”
After getting experience at camps and seeing the older players on the team, she knew she wanted to be in their shoes when she grew up.
An outside hitter and middle blocker, Tindall continued to work at her craft, becoming a key cog in Manhattan High, notching its first sub-state championship since 2017.
After receiving an offer from K-State, it was no surprise to Tindall’s family when she signed on to K-State volleyball.
“She loves K-State, loves K-State volleyball, and was excited about what [coach] Mansfield was doing here with the program,” Manhattan High head volleyball coach Nicole Jones said. “When they gave her the offer, I don’t think she took a second look. She knew she wanted to stay home and play for K-State.”
Jason Mansfield, the Wildcats’ head coach, said how grateful he is Tindall could join the team.
“Once we kind of made the decision that we were going to offer her, it was a pretty special moment with her family, ” Mansfield said. “[Her] parents got really emotional, and she got emotional. It was really special to see that.”
Tindall’s work ethic will help her make a large contribution to the team. For the last two years of high school, Tindall traveled more than two hours to play for a club volleyball team in Prairie Village, Kansas.
“It was definitely really, really challenging, and I was definitely tired,” Tindall said. “There were some days I just couldn’t do it, but it definitely made me really stronger … I would not be here if I didn’t do it. I’m super grateful that I did push through everything.”
While Tindall may not see the floor as a freshman, her impact and character remain intangible assets to the team.
“Tatum is just a gem of a human in itself,” Jones said. “You’re getting somebody that is extremely selfless and really puts the we before the me — puts the team first. Even if she doesn’t get to see the playing time, she’s going to be an encouraging person on the court and helping all of the people around her.”
Tindall said one of the advantages of staying at home to play volleyball is she is already familiar with the community and its love for athletics.
“Everyone here is just so supportive of all K-State athletics,” Tindall said. “Everyone loves coming to all the games. Everyone’s just super supportive, super big fans, and I’ve grown up around it my whole life.”
Now that Tindall is at the collegiate level, Mansfield hopes to see her continue to evolve as an athlete.
“The expectation is just to get more physical and kind of understand the game, or how she can affect it,” Mansfield said.
When all is said and done, Tindall’s decision to continue her volleyball career in Manhattan could be instrumental — not just for her, but also the community.
“She’s a great role model for younger athletes to look up to and inspire to kind of get to the level that she’s reached,” Mansfield said. “We’re just very, very grateful to have her.”