A chat with Misty May-Treanor



Misty May-Treanor digging a ball.
Photo courtesy of zimbio.com via Google images



Today we chatted live with Misty May-Treanor on Twitter ! It was very cool. We got to pick her brain a little (in under 140 characters - yes, it was impressive). In case you missed it, here's a quick re-cap...

@AmarilloJuniors: @MistyMayTreanor How important is #club #volleyball to getting a college scholarship? #livechat

We were curious about Misty's opinion on the importance of club volleyball in getting a collegiate scholarship. Obviously, we think it's very important. Her answer was right in line with what we think!

@MistyMayTreanor: @AmarilloJuniors I think that playing club is important, that is where most of the college coaches search out players, also training is key.

We couldn't agree more! To add to that, since high school volleyball seasons and collegiate volleyball seasons coincide, most college coaches only have the opportunity to scout athletes during off season, which so happens to be club volleyball season. Additionally, when college coaches go to large club tournaments they have the opportunity to see many athletes in one location, as opposed to a visit to one particular high school to watch one athlete.

We were also curious about what age Misty thought is a good starting point for girls to play club volleyball. This is definitely a hot topic, not just locally, but nationally as well. In the Panhandle it's typical for girls to start playing club volleyball around ages 9 and 10.

@AmarilloJuniors: @MistyMayTreanor Thanks! We agree! What would you say is a good age to start playing #club #volleyball? #livechat

@MistyMayTreanor: @AmarilloJuniors I started when I was 10 but I like kids playing all the sports that they can along with club volleyball

We thought this was interesting, so we asked...

@AmarilloJuniors: @MistyMayTreanor Gotcha. What's your no. 1 reason for preferring kids play multiple sports in addition to #club #volleyball?

@MistyMayTreanor: @AmarilloJuniors I think it prevents overuse injuries, burn out, and helps them develop into better all around athletes

Very good points! Burn out is especially an issue for athletes who play a single sport year 'round starting at a young age. As athletes get older, however, it becomes harder and harder to be a multi-sport athlete. (Not to mention more expensive and time consuming for you parents out there.) Misty herself grew up playing tennis and soccer in addition to volleyball. She was also in dance. Aaaaand now she is the winningest female volleyball player with 107 career wins and a two-time gold medalist at the summer Olympics in both 2004 and 2008, according to her website, http://www.mistymay.com/. We can see her point, here, for sure.

To wrap up our Q&A we inquired about the important role a parent plays in their child's success or failure in a sport.

@AmarilloJuniors: @MistyMayTreanor Good point! Last question from us: Any words of wisdom to the PARENTS of athletes out there? #livechat

@MistyMayTreanor: @AmarilloJuniors be supportive and be a fan.

Well Misty, we couldn't agree more!

- Amarillo Juniors Volleyball Club

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