One-on-one with Volleyball's Leigh Moyer
9/20/2011 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 20, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama middle blocker Leigh Moyer is currently in the midst of her junior season, but is in her fourth year at the Capstone. A native of Peachtree City, Ga., Moyer redshirted her freshman season in 2008 after suffering an injury just four matches into the campaign. After starting all 12 matches this season, Moyer has appeared in 62 matches in her career, totaling 218 sets played. She has a career hitting percentage of .261 and leads the team with a .294 hitting percentage this season. Additionally, she has a total of 116 blocks for her career. Recently, Moyer took the time to talk about this season, her Alabama experience, and a little more about herself.
How has the transition from an old coaching staff to a new coaching staff been?
"It's been surprisingly easy. Coach Allen is obviously a great coach with a great background and I haven't really had any problems, he's made it easy for me especially playing three years with the old coach."
What has been the toughest part of the transition for you and the team?
"I think with every coach there's a different mentality and a way of doing things. It's really off the court, getting used to what he expects from us and what to expect from him on a daily basis."
What goals have you set for yourself this season and looking forward?
"With this being my third year playing, I've tried to be more of a leader and be calm and collected on the court. I've tried not to let my emotions get the best of me. I've tried to be someone the younger players can look up to. If I am focused in the match, they will be focused. I've really worked on reading the other teams better, having vision of the court and being calm at the net."
What was it about The University of Alabama that made you want to come here?
"When I pictured a college campus, I pictured exactly what the quad looked like. The minute I got on campus, I just thought how beautiful it was. Everything about this athletic program is top notch. It's just the place I want to be. I couldn't imagine going to any other school."
What's your favorite memory playing volleyball here?
"Last year, I broke my nose two days before our home opener. I had to wear a face mask for the first game. I was extremely self conscience about it and so nervous. All of my teammates took butterfly bandages and put them over their noses and played our home opener in those. The love and support my teammates showed me that day made me completely forget about the mask and I had the best match of my career."
What has been your best volleyball moment?
"Winning our state championship my senior year of high school. We had struggled in the years before that and just to win it all my senior year was a great feeling. I was playing with my best friends on that team. It's a memory I will always carry with me."
What is your major and what do you want to do with it?
"My major is Digital Art. It's art on the computer, so it's working with Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and InDesign. I really want to do magazine layouts. I take the articles that journalist write and basically just make them look good. I want to work with advertisements, or I'd love to work with a sports marketing group. I love art because it gives me an outlet to be creative and put all my creative energy into. It's that I can do that is fun and that's why I love it."
Outside of volleyball and school, what do you like to do?
"Really just anything I can do to unwind. I like to listen to music and read books and magazines. I'm reading Money Ball right now. I'm really excited to go see the movie with Brad Pitt in it that is coming out soon."
What do you do before a match to get mentally prepared for a match?
"I take a lot of time to get ready, I don't like feeling rushed. I listen to music, mostly rap, some Lil' Wayne and Jay Z. I braid Shelbi Goode's hair before every match. I just like to be loud and get energized with my team."
Favorite place you've ever visited?
"I've been to a lot of islands in the Caribbean. They were all beautiful. The water is amazing and crystal clear. I've been snorkeling a lot down there and that was fun and exciting."
If you could meet anyone famous, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
"I would like to mea John Wooden. My mom gave me his book "Pyramids of Success" in high school and he was just really inspirational."
If you could have any super power what would it be?
"I would want to read minds. I think it would be fascinating to know what people are thinking at different times."
Who is your biggest role model?
"My parents are my biggest role models. They taught me growing up that you can't get anywhere without hard work and dedication. They are everyday examples of determination and working hard for everything they've been given in life."
