The Best Volleyball Libero in the Big West, Is it Amanda or Kristin? 

The top two volleyball liberos in the Big West conference, Amanda Vialpando and Kristin Winkler answer my volleyball interview questions

The best volleyball libero.

The two college volleyball athletes  answered my interview questions about how athletes live learn and excel in Division I. 

The Best Volleyball Libero in the Big West Conference Answer My Interview Questions - Amanda Vialpando

Meet Amanda Vialpando the best volleyball libero on UC Riverside and one of the top athletes in the Big West Conference.   

What makes you special? 

"I think what makes me special is that I'm never satisfied with my performance.

Even with this past weekend, the stats said I did well but I felt that I could have done better. That makes me push myself each and every time."

What accessories and/or equipment help you play your best?

"I have an elbow pad that I wear on my right elbow because I have bony elbows.

I didn't wear it before so it used to hurt when I dove for a ball and prevented me from diving. Ever since I've worn it I basically go for every ball no matter how far away it is."

What pregame habits, rituals, or superstitions do you have to do before every game?

"Pre game I listen to my ipod.

I blast my eardrums away unfortunately.

I have to listen to underground hip hop. Also, I usually style my hair based off of how well I did last game.

So if it was straight last time I'll do it straight ... if it was curly last game I'll do it curly again."

Who or what inspires you to play well in each match that you play in?

"My team inspires me to play well because we play for each other and I don't want to let them down.

Also, my little sister inspires me because I want her to play college volleyball too, so I want her to see how much I've progressed and have her say 'I want to be like my sister'.

Finally, stats inspire me to play well since I look at them after every game. And if I don't do well I tell myself next game I can't be messing up, I have to go harder on the court." 

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What awards did Amanda Vialpando win this week? 

• University of Riverside college volleyball player Amanda Vialpandowas voted the Big West Conference Player of the Week by theleagues head coaches.
  
  
• Amanda led the UC Riverside women's volleyball team to a 2-1record at the Stockton Hilton Invitational. Vialpando opened the weekend tournament with an 11-kill, seven-dig performance in UC Riverside’s 3-0 win over Loyola Marymount  Later  that day Amanda registered a career-high .395 hitting percentage against Cal State Bakersfield helping her team get their second consecutive sweep. 
  
  
• Vialpando, a Moreno Valley, CA, native notched her first of two double-doubles on the week with 19 kills and 11 digs against the Roadrunners.      

• Her second double-double came the following day when she topped her previous performance with 21 kills and 14 digs in the Highlanders’ 3-1 loss to San Jose State.
  
  
• For the week, she averaged 5.1 kills and 3.2 digs per contest, while hitting .322    Vialpando’s efforts earned her a spot on the Hilton Stockton All-Tournament Team

The Best Volleyball Libero in the Big West Answer My Questions - Kristin Winkler

Meet Kristin Winkler the best volleyball libero for the UC Irvine Anteaters. 

Improve Your Volleyball: What makes you special?

If anything, it would have to be that I am never completely satisfied with my performance.

Even if I have a great game, I am always thinking about the plays I could have made better.

I guess I could say that I am always striving for perfection.

Improve Your Volleyball: What accessories and/or equipment help you play your best?

Being a libero, I would say my kneepads. The extra padding is crucial when we throw ourselves around as much as we do!

Improve Your Volleyball: What pregame habits, rituals, or superstitions do you have to do before every game?

I definitely love to listen to my Ipod. I have a few songs that I have to listen to before every match that get my blood flowing and heart racing.

I also have to drink coffee before every game, no matter what time it is at.

Improve Your Volleyball: Who or what inspires you to play well in each match that you play in?

My family, especially my father. They are responsible for making me the competitor I am today by always challenging me to make myself better.

What volleyball awards did Kristin Winkler win this week? 

• After strong defensive performances that marked the UCI single-matchrecords twice, Kristin Winkler was named the Big West Player of the Week 

• Kristin was voted to the Comcast/Sheraton Lobo Invitational All-Tournament team, tied the third-best single-match mark with 31 digs in the five-game match against host New Mexico 

• She set a new UCI match record with 34 digs in the win against Portland State, surpassing her previous best of 32 digs recorded in 2010. 

• It is the first time in her career that Winkler has posted 30 or more digsin the same weekend and with the effort, she climbs to fifth in the UCI career records with 1,173 digs.

Follow me on Instagram @coach_apchap to improve your game even faster!

I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

1. Improve Your Volleyball
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2. Learn From Womens College Volleyball Player Interviews, Highlights and Photos
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3. The Best Volleyball Libero in the Big West, Is it Amanda or Kristin?

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