Alabama Volleyball Newcomer Q&A: Alexa Tomlak
8/10/2016 4:36:00 PM | Volleyball
Alabama Volleyball welcomes eight newcomers to the 2016 team and all eight will have Q&A features posted on rolltide.com over the next eight days heading into the season. The third featured newcomer is freshman Alexa Tomlak from Rochester Hills, Mich.
How did you get your start playing volleyball?
"My friends and I were interested in a volleyball camp at a local rec center so we tried it and I really ended up liking it. From there, I kept playing with local club teams and eventually went on to high school and travel ball from there."
Did you play any other sports?
"Soccer and basketball were my other main sports. I also tried swimming, tennis, softball and a little bit of lacrosse. I kept playing basketball up until high school but eventually had to stop because I wanted to play high level club volleyball and the schedules would have conflicted. Volleyball was always by far my favorite sport and it was my number one hobby since I started playing it."
When did the recruiting process start for you and when did Alabama come into the picture?
"Around ninth grade was when I started getting my first letters. At that point I was pretty open to anywhere, though I had always wanted to go to a bigger school. Alabama came into the picture around my sophomore or junior year. When I finally visited the campus, it was beautiful. Coach Allen was very straightforward and I really liked that. He has created a good atmosphere and a good program. He is very competitive and the girls are like a big family."
Being from Michigan, was there any concern going to a school far away from home?
"Not really. I was ready to leave the cold weather!"
Were you considering any other schools besides Alabama?
"North Carolina and Yale showed interest for a while but I really liked everything about Alabama."
What are your impressions of college life so far?
"You have a lot more freedom. On the court, the game is a lot more competitive and it really pushes you. The time management off the court is a work in progress. The extra free time gives you more time to procrastinate, so you have to force yourself to spend your time wisely."
What are some of your goals heading into the season?
"As a team, we want to be consistent and competitive. We want to score good points and keep rallies going. We want to win the SEC and play in the NCAA Tournament. Individually, I just want to improve on my skills and be a good impactful teammate."
What advice would you give a young volleyball player who wants to play in college?
"Don't feel pressured into any decisions. There are people who commit as freshmen but there are plenty that commit as seniors. If someone is pressuring you into making a decision, then it might be best to avoid those people. Feel free to explore your options."
