Ag spiker enjoying experience of being on team
Utah Statesman: What’s your favorite thing about volleyball?
Melissa Larson: There are so many things. I love the speed and the pace of the game. It’s just so fast, always so fun and nothing is ever the same. It’s always different. The plays are the same, but you never know what’s going to happen and you just play your best and hope for the best.
US: When did you start playing volleyball?
ML: I started playing volleyball my freshman year of high school. I was pretty young and really bad. I just fell in love with it immediately, and I’ve been getting better ever since.
US: How did you decide that USU was the school for you?
ML: We went on a few visits, and I met the team. I met the coaches and I loved it. I knew that this is where I was supposed to be. The campus is absolutely beautiful. All the academic programs were perfect for me. This is just what felt right for me, suitable for my situation.
US: What do you like about working with a team?
ML: What don’t I like about it? I love everything. I like being able to help each other out. You learn to trust other people, and you learn to rely on them. And as you get better individually, it makes the team better. It’s almost like an instant family. It makes the sport so much better.
US: How do you think you’ve improved in your time at USU?
ML: The coaching in college is so different than in high school. It’s so much more intense. They work with you more. Inside me I had to find the drive. In order be a Division I college volleyball player, you have to have the drive. You can’t just be good at volleyball. You have to be able to work as a team and listen to your coach – that’s huge. You have to do stuff on your own time; you have to work hard in the weight room. It’s not just about on the court practice time. You have to do extra things in order to be good. That’s what it takes to win matches.
US: Do you do anything before a match to get pumped up?
ML: We listen to our music – I just love getting pumped up. That’s what I have to do. I get in the mind set, like, once I’m in the gym I am thinking just about volleyball. It’s nothing really big. I just listen to some good music that gets my heart rate going, and I just think about volleyball from there on out, nothing else.
US: What do you do to build your confidence if a match isn’t going well?
ML: Self talk, that helps me a lot. And my teammates help me, too. They know the things to say to motivate me. You’re going to have those times when you get down, everyone does, everyone makes mistakes. I find a way. It’s not necessarily the same thing every time, but I just find a way.
US: What’s the weirdest thing you do with your free time?
ML: I don’t know if it’s weird, but I love to watch “Friends.” There’s not much time for anything else, I guess.
US: Who is your hero?
ML: Normally I would say my mom or my dad, and I can’t pick. They drive me. They inspire me so much. They talk to me when I’m down. I look to them for everything. So I’d have to say my parents. And God. He’s the reason why I’m here.
US: What ice cream best describes you and why?
ML: Cookies and cream ice cream is my absolute favorite – I love that. And mint chocolate chip. Those two have gotta be my favorites. Oh, yeah.
US: Do you want to say anything to the fans?
ML: Our team is very talented. It’s going to be a very exciting year. We’ve played some amazing teams in preseason, and we’ve gotten a lot of experience and we have learned a lot. I’m really excited to see how we do because we are a good team.
-erin.wadsworth@aggiemail.com