Who I Chose to Interview and Why?

For my Community Connections project, I had decided to email Alison Mckay, a volleyball player who I have looked up to for many years. She played Libero in indoor volleyball at SFU as well as on the National Team and has now shifted her focus towards a beach volleyball career. I interviewedAlison because I admire her extreme talent and coordination when it comes to both indoor and beach volleyball, as I am very passionate about both. However, I don’t just look up to her athleticism but her dedication and commitment that she has to have become a student-athlete. In the future, I hope to follow similar footsteps to Alison and to play post-secondary and become an accomplished student-athlete. On top of this, Alison also dedicates her free time to coach and spread her passion to younger athletes through Ducks Volleyball Club. I can look up to Alison in many different aspects from her volleyball, dedication to academics and her overall character.

 

 

What Have I learned From this Interview?

There are many things that I have learned from this insightful interview with Alison. To begin with, I have learned that even the best and people you look up to have to go through the same adversities. I feel I lack confidence in myself, especially when it comes to volleyball and it was interesting to have learned that Alison has felt the same and was able to overcome this adversity to become an even stronger athlete and person. Additionally, she has given me advice when it comes to being a successful student-athlete which is something I can see to be very beneficial for my future.

 

I sent a direct message on instagram and here is her response:

Why are you passionate about volleyball?

“I am passionate about volleyball because it has always been a space where I felt like I belonged. Playing at Simon Fraser University (SFU) under head coach, Gina Schmidt, and with my amazing teammates. sparked a great love for the game. Volleyball has given me more than I can have ever imagined and that’s why I have such a passion for the game.”

What obstacles have you faced to get where you are today?

“In the summer before going into my first year of university I had to overcome my lack of confidence in myself and realized that I was the only thing stopping myself from being great and decided to be all in from that point on. My experience with the National team program has also posed obstacles by not making the team one year, and then after making it for 3 years in a row getting cut before the Olympic Qualifying year due to not being able to find a professional contract. I had to overcome the disappointment of the way my indoor volleyball career was ending by recognizing the accomplishments of my time at SFU and on the National Team. Now, I have taken the obstacle of my indoor career ending and shifted focus towards a beach volleyball career beginning.”

 

What advice would you pass on to someone interested in being a student-athlete?

“It is a very challenging but incredible experience to take a sport to the collegiate level and train/compete while taking a full course load. I would definitely recommend playing your sport at that level to everyone because the growth within yourself and the experiences that you will encounter are so special. Once you commit to doing it though, you need to be all in a recognize that it’s called a student-athlete for a reason and the student part comes first. Colleges look for you to be dedicated to your school work and need to prioritize that. A piece of advice is to work hard to make friends in your classes even if you don’t know anyone. You will be missing a lot of class and having people that are willing to help you out by sending notes is super important. Also, get to know the professor by going to office hours and asking for lots of help.”

 

Would you be open to further contact from Riverside students and if so, how can someone contact you?

“Yes, through email. alisonmckay95@gmail.com”

Are there any particular reasons why you started volleyball?

“I remember playing it in gym in middle school and really taking to it. I enjoyed the fact it was a team sport without contact, and indoors compared to soccer.”

 

 

Was there ever a moment where you considered giving up volleyball? If so, why?

“I definitely considered giving up volleyball in grade 12 before I had decided I wanted to contact SFU’s coach to play University volleyball. I don’t think I never envisioned myself playing at a higher level than club volleyball, so before I really sat down in grade 12 and thought about it, I considered not continuing and just pursuing my post-secondary education. I didn’t get any interest from coaches and didn’t have the confidence in my abilities to believe I was capable of playing at that next level.”

Here is a video of her highlights:

More Info on Alison McKay

Image Links:

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Image 2 was taken by me

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