Photo by: Martin A. Folb
Men's Volleyball Q&A: Spencer Wickens
4/17/2019 11:08:00 AM | Men's Volleyball, Competing With Purpose Blog
Spencer Wickens, a sophomore libero for the Pepperdine men's volleyball team, moved into the starting lineup partway through MPSF play. We talked a little about his volleyball career and what he wants do following his time with the Waves:
Q: Your family is very involved in volleyball and father is a coach at Nazareth College. Did you ever consider playing for your dad at Nazareth?
A: Not too much. The goal was always to play Division I.
Q: What was it like playing volleyball and having your family members as coaches and having a wealth of knowledge in the game?
A: It was very fortunate because I was able to get started at a young age. I also was able to be around volleyball all the time.
Q: What other sports did you compete in and what was the deciding factor to stick with volleyball?
A: Soccer and golf, but volleyball was the one I loved the most.
Q: You may be shorter in stature in volleyball terms, being six feet tall, but you are a high-flyer with your vertical. What made you decide to play libero instead of opting to be an outside hitter? You played in the five-set win over Grand Canyon this year at outside. What was that experience like at the high level?
A: I chose libero because I grew up playing it and learned to enjoy it, and I realized that playing it was my best chance to play at the highest level. Playing outside was awesome and I'm glad that I was able to help in that way.
Q: Being on the West Coast, where it is a hotbed for volleyball with indoor and sand, what are the similarities and differences that you have experienced since you grew up in New York where volleyball is not as popular?
A: I was lucky because volleyball was fairly popular in upstate New York. There was always high-level high school ball, but sadly there is not as much beach volleyball. At least not all year round.
Q: What is some advice you can give to the six-foot-and-under guys that everyone says "you are to short" to play at the Division I level? You as well as many others prove these naysayers wrong and are an outstanding player at the Division I level. Can you share some words of encouragement?
A: Hitting is overrated. Not that it isn't great to be a big hitter, but it's more important to have good ball control, the ability to pass and also play defense. Also, if you're able to outsmart and outwork the big guys, you'll find success.
Q: Being the high flyer that you are, do you have any aspiration to play on the sand and see where it takes you?
A: I enjoy playing in the sand a lot. I I enjoy competing very much as well, but don't have the skills to play professionally yet. I would rather play professionally indoor.
Q: What are your aspirations when your career as a Wave is complete?
A: I would love to be a coach or an athletic director. I also hope to have a family of my own one day.
Q: Your family is very involved in volleyball and father is a coach at Nazareth College. Did you ever consider playing for your dad at Nazareth?
A: Not too much. The goal was always to play Division I.
Q: What was it like playing volleyball and having your family members as coaches and having a wealth of knowledge in the game?
A: It was very fortunate because I was able to get started at a young age. I also was able to be around volleyball all the time.
Q: What other sports did you compete in and what was the deciding factor to stick with volleyball?
A: Soccer and golf, but volleyball was the one I loved the most.
Q: You may be shorter in stature in volleyball terms, being six feet tall, but you are a high-flyer with your vertical. What made you decide to play libero instead of opting to be an outside hitter? You played in the five-set win over Grand Canyon this year at outside. What was that experience like at the high level?
A: I chose libero because I grew up playing it and learned to enjoy it, and I realized that playing it was my best chance to play at the highest level. Playing outside was awesome and I'm glad that I was able to help in that way.
Q: Being on the West Coast, where it is a hotbed for volleyball with indoor and sand, what are the similarities and differences that you have experienced since you grew up in New York where volleyball is not as popular?
A: I was lucky because volleyball was fairly popular in upstate New York. There was always high-level high school ball, but sadly there is not as much beach volleyball. At least not all year round.
Q: What is some advice you can give to the six-foot-and-under guys that everyone says "you are to short" to play at the Division I level? You as well as many others prove these naysayers wrong and are an outstanding player at the Division I level. Can you share some words of encouragement?
A: Hitting is overrated. Not that it isn't great to be a big hitter, but it's more important to have good ball control, the ability to pass and also play defense. Also, if you're able to outsmart and outwork the big guys, you'll find success.
Q: Being the high flyer that you are, do you have any aspiration to play on the sand and see where it takes you?
A: I enjoy playing in the sand a lot. I I enjoy competing very much as well, but don't have the skills to play professionally yet. I would rather play professionally indoor.
Q: What are your aspirations when your career as a Wave is complete?
A: I would love to be a coach or an athletic director. I also hope to have a family of my own one day.
Players Mentioned
L
/ Men's Volleyball
