Photo by: Martin A. Folb
Men's Volleyball Q&A: Max Chamberlain
2/12/2019 9:11:00 AM | Men's Volleyball, Competing With Purpose Blog
Max Chamberlain is a senior middle blocker on the Pepperdine men's volleyball team. We talked about how he got into playing the sport of volleyball and what advice he gives to younger players:
Q: When did you start playing volleyball and what inspired you to start playing?
A: I started playing volleyball my freshman year of high school. The football coach was the volleyball coach as well, and he picked all the tall kids and forced them to play. He didn't pick me and that made me mad, so I showed up anyway to be involved. I was really bad, but the next year I grew like four inches, so the JV coach really needed me in the end.
Q: When you first started playing did you have the opportunity to play other positions or did you get stuck in the middle because you were tall as a younger player?
A: I started off as the backup opposite. I couldn't pass and I wasn't tall enough to be middle. So I played a few games at oppo and set for a bit as well. I hit 6-foot-3 the next year and played middle for two years and three years in club. Senior year, I was an outside, because they wanted to set me as many balls as possible. I miss it if we're being honest.
Q: What other sports did you play growing up that you feel contributed to your success in volleyball?
A: I played football competitively on a team from second grade to my junior year of high school. It made me more coordinated and developed a pretty tough mindset. I really miss hitting people to be honest.
Q: Why did you choose to come to Pepperdine? What other schools were in the mix?
A: Pepperdine was the only Division I school that had a guaranteed roster spot for me. Every other school was "if you get in, maybe we'd have a spot for you" and all the rest were Division III schools in the Midwest, and I really didn't want to do that. I think I got the last laugh though, now I'm starting and crushing the exact schools who didn't want me.
Q: Pepperdine started off strong this season. What's important to the success and how does the team respond when they have setbacks or injuries during the season?
A: It's so important to not let up on practice and strength training when the season starts. It's easy to lay off the gas when things are going good and your body is tired from games, but keeping the grind going only makes you better.
Q: As a middle blocker you can be limited on attacks by the team's success in passing. When the team is struggling in that area how do you keep focused and what areas do you focus to get the team back on track?
A: Personally for me, what I bring to the table perhaps more importantly than attacks is energy. I keep Dave super fired up as long as possible. He's kind of our go-to guy and when he's hot, we're hot. So I make it my goal to fuel his fire with whatever he needs all game long. Also it helps that I can absolutely rip my serve.
Q: How do you help to mentor the younger middles who will take over the reins after you graduate?
A: First and foremost I try to show them to get big in the weight room. Height can only take you so far, speed and strength and coordination is what separates a good middle from another tall average goon. They need to be well rounded, be able to set the ball, dig a ball, and serve when it counts. You can't be one-dimensional anymore -- elite teams will pick you apart.
Q: What are your aspirations after you finish your career as a Wave? Straight to a career, or do you have aspirations to play overseas?
A: I want to play overseas for as long as the overseas folk will let me.
Q: What is some advice you could give to younger players that aspire to play collegiate volleyball?
A: Practice more than you think you should, look for advice outside from just what your coach is telling you. I've had the basic mechanics of everything I do changed at least five times. Don't be good at just one thing. Get in contact with coaches early. Be a team player, figure out your serve. Stop staring people down through the net, it's not tight and no one thinks you're tight. Keep wearing short shorts and take care of your knees!
Q: When did you start playing volleyball and what inspired you to start playing?
A: I started playing volleyball my freshman year of high school. The football coach was the volleyball coach as well, and he picked all the tall kids and forced them to play. He didn't pick me and that made me mad, so I showed up anyway to be involved. I was really bad, but the next year I grew like four inches, so the JV coach really needed me in the end.
Q: When you first started playing did you have the opportunity to play other positions or did you get stuck in the middle because you were tall as a younger player?
A: I started off as the backup opposite. I couldn't pass and I wasn't tall enough to be middle. So I played a few games at oppo and set for a bit as well. I hit 6-foot-3 the next year and played middle for two years and three years in club. Senior year, I was an outside, because they wanted to set me as many balls as possible. I miss it if we're being honest.
Q: What other sports did you play growing up that you feel contributed to your success in volleyball?
A: I played football competitively on a team from second grade to my junior year of high school. It made me more coordinated and developed a pretty tough mindset. I really miss hitting people to be honest.
Q: Why did you choose to come to Pepperdine? What other schools were in the mix?
A: Pepperdine was the only Division I school that had a guaranteed roster spot for me. Every other school was "if you get in, maybe we'd have a spot for you" and all the rest were Division III schools in the Midwest, and I really didn't want to do that. I think I got the last laugh though, now I'm starting and crushing the exact schools who didn't want me.
Q: Pepperdine started off strong this season. What's important to the success and how does the team respond when they have setbacks or injuries during the season?
A: It's so important to not let up on practice and strength training when the season starts. It's easy to lay off the gas when things are going good and your body is tired from games, but keeping the grind going only makes you better.
Q: As a middle blocker you can be limited on attacks by the team's success in passing. When the team is struggling in that area how do you keep focused and what areas do you focus to get the team back on track?
A: Personally for me, what I bring to the table perhaps more importantly than attacks is energy. I keep Dave super fired up as long as possible. He's kind of our go-to guy and when he's hot, we're hot. So I make it my goal to fuel his fire with whatever he needs all game long. Also it helps that I can absolutely rip my serve.
Q: How do you help to mentor the younger middles who will take over the reins after you graduate?
A: First and foremost I try to show them to get big in the weight room. Height can only take you so far, speed and strength and coordination is what separates a good middle from another tall average goon. They need to be well rounded, be able to set the ball, dig a ball, and serve when it counts. You can't be one-dimensional anymore -- elite teams will pick you apart.
Q: What are your aspirations after you finish your career as a Wave? Straight to a career, or do you have aspirations to play overseas?
A: I want to play overseas for as long as the overseas folk will let me.
Q: What is some advice you could give to younger players that aspire to play collegiate volleyball?
A: Practice more than you think you should, look for advice outside from just what your coach is telling you. I've had the basic mechanics of everything I do changed at least five times. Don't be good at just one thing. Get in contact with coaches early. Be a team player, figure out your serve. Stop staring people down through the net, it's not tight and no one thinks you're tight. Keep wearing short shorts and take care of your knees!
Players Mentioned
MB
/ Men's Volleyball
