Freshman Q&A: Shannon Mikesky
8/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Alabama volleyball welcomes three newcomers to the team this season and we will be posting a Question & Answer segment for all three. Our third and final freshman is setter Shannon Mikesky.
Shannon Mikesky hails from Schulenburg, Texas, which lies approximately halfway between Houston and San Antonio. At Schulenburg High School, she helped lead the team to state runner-up finishes in 2012 and 2013, earning All-State setter and All-Tournament team honors in each season. She played club volleyball with TEXSTAR and competed in the 2013 AAU Volleyball Tournament. In addition to volleyball, she also helped lead the Schulenburg High School girls basketball team to the 2013 Regional finals and competed at the state tournament three times as a member of the girls tennis team.
How did you get your start in volleyball?
"When I was three of four years old, my mom would always take me in the garage and toss balls to me. She loved volleyball. She would teach me how to pass, set and hit and we did that all through grade school. My older sister had been playing club volleyball and I was dying to try out. When I was in fifth grade my parents finally let me."
What other sports did you play growing up?
"I played basketball, tennis and did a summer swim team but volleyball was always my favorite. The others just gave me a nice contrast throughout the year."
When did volleyball become a serious focus for you?
"When I started playing club, I was spending way more time practicing and playing in tournaments. I realized I could possibly take volleyball to the next level when I was in seventh or eighth grade when my older sister was being recruited by colleges. It was then I realized that if she is good enough to play in college, maybe in a few years I could do it too!"
How did you develop into a setter?
"When you're 11 or 12, you just kind of rotate and play everything. One of my cousins was a volleyball coach and I went to one of her camps and she made me set. I told her I didn't want to and I wanted to hit, but she kept making me set and I eventually fell in love with it. I was a setter my next year in club and have been ever since."
When did Alabama come into the picture as a potential choice for college?
"It was probably towards the end of my sophomore year. I had obviously heard of Alabama before but I had never been there. It was always one of those places I heard about and wanted to know more. They sent me a questionnaire so I knew they were interested, so I gave them a call and talked and we decided to set up a visit."
What were your first impressions when you finally visited Tuscaloosa?
"I loved how beautiful the campus was. All of the buildings were built to match each other and I loved how huge campus is but it is also closed off at the same time. You have big sections that are closed off so that there are no cars and it's so quiet and peaceful. The coaches are a great combination and they have all the factors you need for a great program. The athletic facilities here are also amazing. There are so many facilities and resources for the athletes to use."
What were your top three college choices and what ultimately set Alabama apart?
"My top three were Alabama, LSU and Wake Forest. I was always interested in the huge schools with big-time athletic programs and Alabama had it all. They had academics, athletics and the college town feel that I wanted. The town here centers around the University and I liked that."
Was there any hesitation to move far from home?
"I always knew I wanted to go far away if I could because I wouldn't have that opportunity on my own with out-of-state tuition as high as it is. With a scholarship, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to experience some place new."
How has the adjustment to college life been so far?
"It's been great so far. The hardest part has been getting used to the summer workouts because they have been tough. Jumping right into those my first day was crazy! I can already tell a difference on the court though. I didn't think I'd be this busy in the summer already. Summer classes are jammed into four weeks and I didn't realize how much work it would be for just two classes. I'm kept busy all the time and it's hard but it's doable."
What advice would you give a young volleyball player who wants to play in college?
"I would tell them to never give up. I've seen so many girls that go through all the stages of volleyball and get frustrated along the way. There are so many stages and you have to keep working and keep trying hard, even if you're not as good as all your friends. Girls change so much from year to year and it's the ones that keep persevering and working hard every year who will succeed. Once you experience that success after all the hard work, it's the best feeling in the world."
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