Q&A with freshman Amanda Gooch
9/2/2015 10:46:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Today's installment of “Meet the Bearkat Volleyball Team” features one of the newcomers to the 2015 squad.
Amanda Gooch joins the squad as an outside side and middle blocker from Iola, Texas. The kinesiology major was both all-state and all-district at Iola High School, leading her team to a state finals appearance as a freshman and the state semifinals as a senior.
Question: How old were you when you started volleyball?
Amanda: I started playing in elementary school on a Little Diggers team and began club ball in eighth grade.
Question: What is your favorite volleyball memory?
Amanda: Committing to the Sam Houston volleyball team because that meant four more years of volleyball and a new level of play that would challenge me to never stop working.
Question: Who is your favorite athlete?
Amanda: I never have had a particular favorite. The athletes who lead their teams to win championships are my favorites.
Question: What are your favorite TV shows?
Amanda: CSI, Vampire Dairies, OITNB and Awkward
Question: What is the most fun part of volleyball practice?
Amanda: Playing competitive drills against other teammates
Question: What is the least fun part of volleyball practice?
Amanda: Stretching, but it's important so it has to be done.
Question: If you could visit anywhere, where would it be?
Amanda: Anywhere that has great beaches, beautiful water and amazing scenic areas.
Question: What is your favorite thing about Sam Houston?
Amanda: Definitely the volleyball program.
Question: If you didn't play volleyball, what sport would you be playing?
Amanda: Basketball. I played with my school organizations from kindergarten until freshman year in high school and played club for three years.
Question: Any pre-match superstitions?
Amanda: I don't have any. I just like to clear my mind and do mental reps to get me in the zone and ready to play.
Question: What music pumps you up to play?
Amanda: Nothing in particular, just anything up-beat.
Question: What are your personal goals heading into the season?
Amanda: To better myself in every aspect of my game and help my team win a conference championship.
Question: What are your hobbies?
Amanda: Spending time with friends and family, finding things to do outside and doing crafts.
Question: What is your favorite food?
Amanda: Pretty sure this is the hardest question. But right now I would have to say Farm House's wheat rolls.
Question: What social media site do you use the most?
Amanda: Instagram
Question: What is your favorite holiday?
Amanda: Christmas
Question: In three words, how would you describe yourself?
Amanda: Hardworking, driven and dedicated
Question: What piece of advice would you give to younger players?
Amanda: Regretting that you should have given a little more in that drill, workout, game or practice is the worst feeling, so always give 110 percent at everything you do because you will never be able to get that time back.
Amanda and the Sam Houston volleyball team opened the season with three victories in the Bearkat Invitational last weekend. Next home action for the Kats is Tuesday, September 15, against Texas State.
