Q & A With Volleyball's Michelle Griffith
7/25/2015 9:01:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
The second installment of Meet the Bearkat volleyball team features All-Southland Conference setter Michelle Griffith.
A junior from the Woodlands, the College Park High School product started all 30 matches for Sam Houston last season, tallying 10.89 assists per set. The food science and nutrition major also was an Academic All-Southland selection with her 3.68 overall grade point average.
Sam Houston has earned eight consecutive Southland Conference tournament berths and finished among the top three teams in the league's final regular
Question: How old were you when you started volleyball?
Michelle: Nine years old.
Question: What is your favorite volleyball memory?
Michelle: I loved being able to play with my sister my freshman year in high school, but also had the opportunity to play with an amazing group of girls on a club team for a few years that placed fifth in the nation. All my funniest memories were definitely made at Sam though. I have too much fun with these girls and coaches.
Question: Who is your favorite athlete?
Michelle: Michael Phelps. I swam my whole life and he is just a freak of a human. I also love his modesty. Misty May is a close runner up though!
Question: What are your favorite TV shows?
Michelle: I am not a big TV watcher but in my RARE free time I love Grey's Anatomy and Modern Family
Question: What's the most fun part of volleyball practice?
Michelle: Any game-like situations or when Coach let's us play 6 on 6. You won't find a more competitive group of girls and the energy in the gym is just outstanding.
Question: What's the least fun part of volleyball practice?
Michelle: Warm-Up, no doubt. Let's just say that coach makes sure we are warm.
Question: If you could visit anywhere, where would it be?
Michelle: I plan on taking a trip to New Zealand after I graduate with my sister. Ireland or anywhere tropical would be amazing too. I'm a beach girl.
Question: What is your favorite thing about Sam Houston State?
Michelle: The athletic department has a sense of warmth and it's just one big family. You won't find that elsewhere.
Question: If you didn't play volleyball, what sport would you be playing?
Michelle: I would swim for sure, but since Sam doesn't have a swim team I would probably run track and pole-vault.
Question: Any pre-match superstitions?
Michelle: I don't believe in them. Routines are always good though. Our team has a bunch of little things that must be done – like writing goals, hair braiding, dancing, etc.
Question: What music pumps you up to play?
Michelle: Anything with a good beat. I don't discriminate musically!
Question: What are your personal goals heading into the season?
Michelle: We're winning a ring. That's all there is to it. Setter of the year would be nice but if I get nothing but a ring, I'll be ecstatic.
Question: What are your hobbies?
Michelle: I love being by the pool/on a beach, reading, listening to music – honestly anything that involves my family or friends.
Question: What is your favorite food?
Michelle: Watermelon
Question: What social media site do you use the most?
Michelle: Instagram
Question: What is your favorite holiday?
Michelle: Christmas. It's the most wonderful time of the year.
Question: In three words, how would you describe yourself?
Michelle: Faith and Family
Question: What piece of advice would you give to younger players?
Michelle: Everything is mental in the game of volleyball, and honestly just in the scheme of life. You can ask my teammates because I say it all the time; your body can do anything your mind asks it to. So just do it.
Michelle Griffith 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.
