Q & A With Volleyball's Shelby Genung
7/21/2015 5:38:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
With the opening of the 2015 Sam Houston volleyball season less than six weeks away, GoBearkats.com begins a series of up-close and personal question and answer sessions with volleyball's returning players.
Sam Houston has earned eight consecutive Southland Conference tournament berths and finished among the top three teams in the league's final regular season standings five of the last six years.
Today's interview features junior middle blocker who has played in 57 matches the past two seasons. The Sugar Land Austin High School product accounted for 222 points last year for the Bearkats.
Question: How old were you when you started playing volleyball?
Shelby: I started playing on my middle school team in seventh grade but didn't start club volleyball until my sophomore year of high school.
Question: What is your favorite volleyball memory?
Shelby: Oh gosh, there are so many good ones, but if I had to choose it would be stepping out on to the court for my first college match and just the feeling of the rush of accomplishment.
Question: Who is your favorite athlete?
Shelby: Soccer player Clint Dempsey from the USMNT. But if I had to choose a volleyball player it would be Kerri Walsh.
Question: Do you have a favorite TV show?
Shelby: I really don't watch a lot of television, but I like reality TV shows and the Food Network.
Question: What is the most fun part of volleyball practice?
Shelby: Definitely playing six on six or fun competitive games.
Question: What is the least fun part of practice?
Shelby: Warm up and conditioning, but we have to warm-up so it has to happen.
Question: If you could visit anywhere, what would be your destination?
Shelby: I would go all over Europe.
Question: What is your favorite thing about Sam Houston?
Shelby: The size of the school and classes are perfect for me. I also love the mall area where everyone can hang out in between classes. The campus is very pretty to me.
Question: If you didn't play volleyball, what sport would you play?
Shelby: Either competitive cheering or soccer.
Question: Any pre-match superstitions?
Shelby: No, I don't really have pregame superstitions, but once I get a routine down, I like to stick to it. I always have to listen to some “pump-up” music before a match.
Question: What music pumps you up to play?
Shelby: Any up-beat music besides rock. I prefer danceable songs.
Question: What are your goals heading into the 2015 season?
Shelby: My goals for the season are to be the most consistent and best play I can be for my team and to be a great leader and teammate. Of course the main goal is to win a conference championship.
Question: What are your hobbies?
Shelby: Any outdoor adventures, swimming, reading and arts and crafts.
Question: What is your favorite food?
Shelby: It's too hard for me to pick one. If I had to pick a favorite meal, I would say grilled smother chicken, veggies and a sweet potato from Texas Roadhouse. I love some carbs as well.
Question: What social media site do you use the most?
Shelby: Instagram.
Question: What is your favorite holiday?
Shelby: Definitely Christmas. It's the happiest time of the year, no doubt.
Question: In three words, how would you describe yourself?
Shelby: Passionate, optimistic and kind
Question: What piece of advice would you give to younger players?
Shelby: Take advantage of every moment you get to play the sport you love. Give 110 percent and don't ever say you can't do something. If you work hard, you can do anything you set your mind to. Have fun, play hard and laugh hard.
Shelby Genung and the rest of the Bearkats begin the 2015 volleyball season on Friday and Saturday August 28-29 with four matches in the annual Sam Houston Invitational Tournament at Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum.
Tickets are available online at www.gobearkats.com . Sam Houston students and faculty-staff are admitted free with presentation of their BearkatOne card.
