Alabama Volleyball Newcomer Q&A: Mahalia Swink
8/12/2016 4:13:00 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 fifth featured newcomer is freshman Mahalia Swink from Bakersfield, Calif.
How did you get your start playing volleyball?
"I played in elementary school but I didn't start playing seriously until my sophomore year of high school. I had a tumor in my thyroid my freshman year so my high school coach, who was also my club coach, wanted me to play if possible after my surgery. I started then and have loved it ever since."
What other sports did you play growing up?
"Basketball was my main sport before switching to volleyball my sophomore year. I had played basketball my whole life but volleyball was so much fun it wasn't that difficult of a decision to switch."
When did playing volleyball in college become a goal?
"I don't think I started thinking I could play volleyball in college until maybe my junior or senior year. I didn't think I could be as good as I was until my coach motivated me and told me I could."
What was your recruiting process like?
"There were maybe one or two schools interested my sophomore year but it really picked up my senior year. Schools from all over were looking at me. Even before my senior year, I felt like I wanted to go somewhere outside California. I was open to go anywhere. Once I started getting options it really opened things up."
When did Alabama come into the picture?
"I heard from Alabama later in my senior year and took a visit. I loved the feel and the energy of campus. Coach [Ed] Allen and the girls were so welcoming. It was a great experience. There were a couple other schools out there showing interest but Alabama really felt like the right place when I visited. I wanted to commit as soon as I visited but my coach told me to visit somewhere else to make sure I still felt the same way. I went somewhere else and still felt the same way so I knew it was where I wanted to be."
Now that you've spent some time here, what are your first impressions?
"I feel the same way as when I visited if not even better. I love this place! The humidity is the biggest difference. Everyone out here is so nice and personable too. On the court, I feel like I came in pretty well-prepared having played against high level competition. I played against girls that are at PAC-12 schools now and that helped me prepare for the speed of the college game."
What are your goals for the upcoming season?
"I want to be a contributor and I think we can contend for an SEC championship and go to the NCAA Tournament. Right now we're really focusing on keeping balls in play and adjusting when we get out of system or things get frantic."
What advice would you give to a young player who wants to pursue collegiate volleyball?
"Be persistent. I got recruited really late in my career and being persistent, having a goal in mind and working hard paid off. Find the school that believes in you and is a great fit."
