NCSA caught up with volleyball standout Karissa Legaux about her high school career and the opportunity to compete at the college level.
NCSA: Tell us about your high school coach and what he teaches you.
Legaux: My high school coach's name is Rich Polk. He focuses on the little things in volleyball like your technique and footwork. He also thinks it's important to get as many reps as you can and jokes about how you can never stop until you can pass 100 balls perfect. The toughest part of working with Polk is the amount of conditioning we do even though our team knows it's for the best. We run many miles and lift a ton of weights through our three week summer camp to gear us up for the next season. I've learned from him to be responsible and do your best in everything you do (inside or outside of volleyball) and that hard work brings good fortune.
NCSA: What has sports taught you?
Legaux: Playing sports in high school has taught me a lot of valuable lessons. Being responsible and on time is a big one that my coach stresses. Playing a high school sport makes you a role model to the rest of the school. I always want to be a good representation of what a Tesoro volleyball player should be like which means being a good student and presenting myself well in school.
NCSA: Who are your role models and why?
Legaux: I have many role models, from girls who are my age that I want to be better than to college and pro athletes. If I had to pick one, I would say Nellie Spicer who sets for UCLA because she is what I want to eventually be as a setter. She is very quick, always jump sets, consistant and exciting to watch
NCSA: Why did you get involved in the sports you played in? (Is it a family tradition, do you admire an athlete in the sport)?
Legaux: I started messing around with volleyball when I was a kid but my first actual competitive experience was in 8th grade, which was my first year of club. I did have to choose between club soccer and volleyball in 8th grade because it was too time consuming so I chose volleyball because I felt that I had a brighter future in it and I thought it was more fun.
NCSA: What are your summer plans?
Legaux: My plans for this summer are filled with a lot of volleyball. My team and I are competing in the Reno Festival at the beginning of July and then I will be doing my high school summer camp for the next 3 weeks. After that I will probably go on vacation with my family then my high school team and I will go see the AVP men's tournament in August and spend the night in a hotel near Hermosa Beach.
NCSA: What are your favorite classes?
Legaux: My favorite class in school would have to be History because I think it is so interesting to learn about the past and connect the dots as to why the world is the way it is. I have also always had great history teachers every year which makes a huge difference. My least favorite class would be math because it is hard to be interested in it when it can be so bizarre that I don't think I will ever use it in the future.
NCSA: What are you looking for in a college?
Legaux: In a college, I'm looking for location. It doesn't need to be close to home necessarily but the campus has to be beautiful and I have to have a good chemistry with the team. I also want to choose a college where I will be able to play and where I can get a great education. I am still undecided on my major because my mind is always changing.
