2018 Alabama Volleyball Newcomer Q&A: Mylana Byrd
8/20/2018 5:11:00 PM | Volleyball
We will be posting Q&As with each of the six newcomers on this year's Alabama volleyball team heading into the 2018 season. Our fourth Q&A is with Mylana Byrd from Missouri City, Texas
When did you start playing volleyball?
"I played soccer for about 10 years, but my mother played volleyball in college and eventually my cousin got into it. It was always a thing in the back of my mind and so when I was 10 I registered for my first club. After that I just really loved it and kept getting more involved. I wasn't very good at the beginning, but I knew it was what I wanted to do."
At what point did playing in college become a goal?
"From the beginning, honestly. I shoot for high goals, so I wanted to play in college and wanted to play in the Olympics. My freshman year I took my first visit to a school and that's when it really set in. This was my goal and I really needed to put the work in to find the school that was right for me."
What schools were you looking at initially?
"It was everywhere really. I visited Oklahoma, USC and UCLA. My cousin played beach volleyball at Georgia State so I took a visit there. I didn't care if I stayed in Texas or not. I talked with Coach [Ed] Allen around my sophomore year. At the time, he was only looking for a hitter but I wanted to play setter. I came back to him a year later and he was open to me being a setter and hitter so that was when I arranged to take my visit."
What were you first impressions when you visited?
"I loved the campus, it's beautiful. I loved the girls and I loved Coach Allen. His philosophy and the way he coaches is why I'm here. I was here two days and committed on the second day. Being in a big conference like the SEC, everything here is top notch and the competition level throughout the season makes you better. I want to continue the sport after college and continue to get better, so to prepare for that you need to play the best competition possible."
How has the transition to the setting position been for you?
"It's been hard, but a lot of coaches have seen the work I'm putting in these last couple years and tell me I have a lot of potential. I just have to keep working. I trust the process and I'm here to get better."
How have you acclimated to college life so far?
"All of my teammates are very inclusive. Our two senior captains (Quincey Gary and Cidavia Hall) are always checking in or inviting us to places with the team. I feel very included and I'm ready for the season and school year to start."
Has there been any home sickness?
"There is a little bit but I Facetime with my parents all the time and they came here to help me move in. Of course, I still miss everyone. I have three brothers and two of them are younger, so I don't get to see them every day like I used to."
What are your goals for the season?
"We want to win first and foremost. We want to get better as a team and develop a strong chemistry with each other. Our motto is trust, classiness and professionalism. You just have to go hard every day."
What advice would you give to an aspiring young volleyball player?Â
"Play every day like it's your last. You never know when that will happen. I've had a lot of teammates that got injured and, while I've never gone through it, it's a hard thing to overcome. You just have to go 100 percent all the time."
