Sept. 7, 2011
Ashley Malone (San Jose, Calif./St. Francis) is a senior setter on the women's volleyball. A three-year starter, Malone is currently fourth in Georgetown history in assists. She talks about her career on the Hilltop, the 2011 season and an opportunity to play in front of her hometown crowd at the Cal-Berkeley Tournament this weekend.
GUHOYAS.com: What are the feelings surrounding the fact that you're going home to play in front of your hometown crowd?
Ashley: I'm excited. However I'm setting aside the pressure and I feel fine. It does feel slightly nerve-racking but when push comes to shove, I know I'll perform at a high level.
GUHOYAS.com: Not only is this a homecoming for you, but this will be the first time you'll play in California in your entire collegiate career. What's going on in your head pertaining to that notion?
Ashley: There's a sense of uncertainty, when you're not sure what exactly you're getting into. You're more mistake-prone, your craft is unpolished and raw, and I'm afraid of that happening to me when I go home. When I evaluate the trip in its entirety, I'm scared. But the remedy for the fear is to take a step-by-step approach. Think of it like you're getting married. The concept as a whole is very big, yet the best thing to do is to take a methodic approach and break it down step-by-step. Take baby steps so it doesn't seem as bad.
GUHOYAS.com: Who's going to be in attendance?
Ashley: All of the friends I have in the area, my sister's friends, people I know who are a little older than me, some friends that go to Cal, and anyone related to volleyball I've met in the years. There may even be a few of the junior volleyball campers I've coached.
GUHOYAS.com: How do you and the team feel knowing you're going to face the number one ranked team in the country in the California Golden Bears?
Ashley: We're going into the match with a high level of optimism, and we're taking the approach that this is just another game. If we can take one set from them, that would be spectacular. However, we're also realistic because we know they play a different level of volleyball.
GUHOYAS.com: You're closing in on the Hoyas all-time leader in assists. How do you feel about seeking and capturing that milestone?
Ashley: I want to be atop the career list. I've calculated the amount of assists needed and if I get as many assists as last year, I will beat it. The goal is to average more assists per set than last year, and I feel confident in my abilities to reach that feat.
GUHOYAS.com: With only two seniors in the locker room providing the highest player leadership, how have you and Tory (Rezin) been able to relay the importance of being calm and collected to the freshman and sophomores, and is your leadership indicative of their acclimation to the pace of collegiate play?
Ashley: It's been a seamless transition. We have a lot more hitters that can terminate than we did last year. The freshman class is contributing a lot on the court. We have three who start, and in some rotations it can be all four, myself and Tory. I have the utmost confidence in them because of their intangibles. They have ball control, the drive and eagerness to perform at the maximum level, and they've done well for us through the preseason. Annalee (Abell) has stepped in the right side position. It was a new feeling for her after coming off of injury and being healthy for the first time. She's feeling great and hitting harder. Lindsay (Wise) is as consistent as ever. Everyone on the team is performing at a high level, and the primary benefactor is great chemistry. It was something that hampered us in years past, and to have it this year feels wonderful. All in all, I give props to our freshmen.
GUHOYAS.com: What was circulating in your head when it came time to play your last home opener of your collegiate career?
Ashley: I woke up excited, yet as game time approached, I took it as another match. The closer we get to Senior Night, undoubtedly I'm going to feel the mounting anxiety more. The more I think about it, the more it makes me sad. It's surreal. I know I have more games to play though. The first home game of seven doesn't exactly resonate with me. The fifth and sixth of seven, however, will hit me.
GUHOYAS.com: Do you feel bittersweet knowing this will be your final season in a Georgetown uniform?
Ashley: Definitely. It'll hit me at random moments when I actually sit down and process the thought. Normally, I just take things day-by-day, go through practice to work hard and get better. Yet, in the back of my mind I know I'll be done at some point this year. When you get into the nitty gritty, I'll never put on a uniform for Georgetown again. I can play grass if I want to, but it won't be six-on-six hardwood volleyball. It's been a huge and integral part of my life, and to lose it will be depressing and heart-wrenching. It's a love of the game and it's a phenomenal opportunity I've had.
GUHOYAS.com: Is there anything you'd like to say to Hoya Nation?
Ashley: Come support.
Head Coach Arlisa Williams extolled Ashley for her dedication perfecting her craft and her impact on the program.
Arlisa: I'm super excited Ashley can go home in front of her friends and family. We like it when players go play at home. It's been fun to watch her develop as a player and a person. She's done a very nice job running the offense and making necessary adjustments, and she's going to have to do that again this weekend. It'll be a really fun match.
Arlisa: We've got a good team. We're going to have tough competition. Sacramento State is good, and Texas-Arlington is new to us because we don't have film on them. It's going to be a competitive weekend. If we play volleyball the way we play, it's going to be a hard battle, but it'll be fun. I don't have butterflies in my stomach.
