Spiker named Athlete of the Week
Utah Statesman: What got you interested in volleyball?
Amanda Fahnestock: My parents both played. I grew up with a love for the game. My dad played for BYU and my mom played in high school. Ever since I was little I had a volleyball in my hand and I was playing with my parents. I was watching them play. My mom and dad coached me.
US: So far, which do you enjoy more, college or high school volleyball?
AF: College. High school is a lot different. You get to enjoy it a little more and it’s a little easier. In college, once you work hard and make it through obstacles and struggles, it’s more rewarding. I am still learning so much.
US: Do you have any superstitions when it comes to the game?
AF: Most don’t know, but I have a tape that I put around my right wrist. I have to have that. I don’t know why, but in high school we had these little things on our right wrists. I don’t do that now, but I like the tape. I put my socks on the same. Other than that I don’t want to get too superstitious. If I mess something up I don’t want to think I am going to have a bad game.
US: As a freshman, who do you look up to the most?
AF: That’s a really hard question, do I have to answer that? I am going to say, because of position-wise, Ingrid [Roth]. I think I have always looked up to her because she works hard. She is one of our captains, she’s a leader. I just love watching her. She gets things done, she works hard and tries to help everyone on the team.
US: The team has won four of its last five games. Which win was the most exciting?
AF: For me it’s going to be Idaho, but then again Riverside was a great game. Both of them are still in my mind, they keep getting me smiling all the time thinking about them. U of I definitely is the winner there.
US: Out of all your losses which one was the most devastating?
AF: The ones that are so close. The Utah game was a hard loss because we didn’t play that well. It’s one of those feelings of ‘I could have played better.’ Any loss you don’t have a good feeling about, I can’t think of just one. You want to forget about all of them.
US: What is the hardest thing about playing a varsity sport and going to school full time?
AF: Balance and time management. I like having balance in my life and being here takes up a lot more time than I thought. I love it, but I want more of a social life. I just want to kick back and relax.
US: Your birthday was on Monday. What is the best gift you’ve ever been given?
AF: That’s hard. This was a good one. It’s not something you could put a price on it. I would have to say that my horse was my favorite. I got my first horse for my 12th birthday – my sweetheart we called her. I learned everything on her.
-mlglade@cc.usu.edu