Matheson named top Aggie
Utah Statesman: How do you feel about being selected as the Utah State University Athlete of the Week for the second time this season?
Michelle Matheson: Good. It’s fun. It’s more a team award than anything.
US: You hit .682 against Weber State University and .476 against Pacific and only had four errors in three matches last week. What made you so successful in those matches?
MM: Anytime [setter] Chelsi [Neves] can give me great sets on the backslide. The backslide probably has been the most successful thing this season. Everything contributes to it because you can’t have it without pass, without set. Chelsi does a good job of spreading out the block and creating one on one.
US: What aspect of your game do you feel you have improved the most on this year?
MM: Just keeping a high hitting percentage is probably the best thing I have done.
US: Did you set any goals for yourself for this season?
MM: I wanted to be a leader on the court, an influence on the court. I didn’t know if I’d be playing a lot of back row so when I was front row I wanted to make an impact on the team. Just to improve throughout the season and keep getting better and to have some big upsets during the season. I always wanted that. That was fun, that’s always fun.
US: What one thing do you hope you can leave behind for or have younger players learn from you?
MM: Just to go out hard. Every year people leave but it is important for the new ones that come in to get that experience and to play and have the expectations there and have those [expectations] stay.
US: What is your favorite place to play on the road?
MM: That’s a hard question. I just like to play in California just because I’m from California. I don’t know if I necessarily have a favorite gym. Some places have meaner crowds than others.
US: Do you have a role model or someone you look up to?
MM: There have been a lot of different people that have been important during my life. Just people who change your life have been role models for me, not a single person.
US: What is your most embarrassing moment while playing volleyball?
MM: Getting hit in the face is always embarrassing so that’s probably my most embarrassing. That’s probably the most embarrassing, getting hit in the face, because all you can do is laugh at yourself because everyone else is laughing too and you feel stupid.
US: Do you like cowboys and did you like dressing up in Western clothing for the team picture?
MM: I don’t really know any cowboys. That was really great, people were like, ‘you’re a cowgirl?’ It was kind of funny when they first did it, we were all like ‘what, we’re cowgirls?’ I think the poster came out pretty good.
US: The Lucky Charms Leprechaun or the Trix Rabbit and why?
MM: The Trix Rabbit just because he’s a trickster. He’s fun.