This week’s Republican-Herald Athlete of the Week is Blue Mountain volleyball player Myah Conway.
Junior right-side hitter had 41 kills, including 21 against Pottsville, 22 digs, 13 aces and seven blocks in the Eagles’ 3-0 start of their season.
- Grade: Junior
- Age: 16
- Residence: Orwigsburg
- Family: Parents, Kieran and Jessica Conway; brother, Gavin; sister Kylie
- Position(s) you play: Right-side hitter
- Other sports you play: None
- Favorite pro athlete: Joel Embiid
- Favorite NFL team: Philadelphia Eagles
- Favorite pro sports teams: Philadelphia Sixers, Philadelphia Eagles
- Favorite college team: St. Joseph’s basketball
- Favorite subject: Mathematics
- Favorite food: Pasta
- Favorite movie: “Grown Ups”
- Favorite TV show: “The Office”
- Favorite color: Pink
- Favorite musical artist: Taylor Swift
- Hobbies: Baking, drawing, spending time with friends
Q: How would you describe the Division I rivalry with Pottsville?
A: “It’s always really tough playing Pottsville, but, you know, we always work together as a team.”
Q: As a left-hander, how different is playing volleyball with that dominant hand?
A: “I love playing right side because hitting the lines is always the hardest to defend, so I love just hitting that because it’s really hard for people to get. Sometimes, they don’t know I’m a lefty, so it’s fun to come out and surprise them like that.”
Q: You’re one of six returning All-Area first-team players. How impressive has this young talent been around the league?
A: “It’s amazing, especially at Pottsville and Blue Mountain. We all have really young people, especially in the Class of 2021, and I just love seeing that because, when I was young, there weren’t that many volleyball clinics and stuff like that. It’s fun to see new talent coming up here. I can’t wait to see it.”
Q: What did you learn last season that has helped you so far this season?
A: “The game is really mental, so I could keep focus mentally and just always keeping loud and supportive of my teammates. It gets really fun then.”
Q: How important is the offseason to develop your volleyball skills?
A: “It’s extremely important. I play club and I practice three times a week, and it’s really fun. It helps me so that, when I get back to the (high school) season, I get a lot better every year.”
Q: You’re part of a strong tradition at Blue Mountain. How much do you feel the need to uphold that?
A: “I don’t feel pressure anymore. I used to get nervous and stuff, but now we just bring the excitement onto the court and it just all goes away.”
Q: What new skills do you want to learn or improve?
A: “I’m really strong on my line shot, but I really want to work on the cross. My serving is good, but I want to stay consistent with that as well. When they go in, they’re good, but sometimes they’re a little off.”
Q: What other personal goals did you set for yourself for this season?
A: “I really want to make All-State again, like I did last year, and I want the team to win districts and leagues because I know we can.”
Q: What are your future plans after high school?
A: “I’m actually thinking about playing volleyball in college. I’ve been looking now, but nowhere specific. I really want to focus on that. Right now, I’m thinking about architectural design, and I want academics to come first, but I’m thinking about playing volleyball still.”
