The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Conversation: Michelle Moriarty
10.26.2005 | Volleyball
Sophomore setter - and Houston native - Michelle Moriarty has had a great impact on the Texas volleyball team ever since she first stepped on the court last year. Her maturity, laid-back nature and talent make Moriarty's presence on the Texas squad invaluable, especially with a young team. After taking on a new leadership role in 2005, this setter not only provides the team more options for its offense, but contributes to the character its needs to make it back to the NCAA Tournament.
She recently took some time to talk about continuing a family legacy, always being the "young one" and the music she cannot live without.
Q: What for you is the biggest difference between last year and this year?
MM: "This year I definitely took on a new role. Last season, I was a newcomer so a lot of it was about getting to know our systems and getting to know my coaches and teammates. This year, with my experience, I feel more comfortable and am able to serve the team more as a leader."
Q: With three older sisters, I am sure you are used to being looked at as the "young one," so has that helped you when playing with a young team?
MM: "Yeah, I have grown up hearing, `She's the young one.' Even when playing sports, I have usually been the youngest one on the team. I'm used to it so helps me not make this season's youth such a big deal. It's nothing new to me so it doesn't affect my focus on the court."
Q: You seem to carrying on a family tradition by playing a sport at the collegiate level. So talk a little bit about what that has been like.
MM: "It is awesome that my family has been really successful and I am happy to carry on the legacy. My parents and two of my sisters played sports in college and growing up, I always hoped I would get the chance."
Q: With them being able to relate to what you go through, have they become your main support system?
MM: "Definitely. My family, in general, is always there for me in everything in life, not just volleyball."
Q: Do they get to come to a lot of the games and cheer you on?
MM: "Yeah, my parents are at every game."
Q: What about your sisters?
MM: "My sisters are at almost all of them. The far away ones they usually can't make, but if we play Baylor or Texas A & M, then they are there."
Q: I hear your sister has done a little scrapbooking of the team.
MM: "Yeah, she did a scrapbook for me last year. It had pictures from every game and a ticket stub along with other little things from different matches. It was pretty cool."
Q: Do you think she will do it this year?
MM: "I am not sure, because it turned out to be a lot of work so she is thinking about it."
Q: What type of music would we usually find you listening to?
MM: "Texas Country!"
Q: What is your favorite artist and song?
MM: "Pat Green is my favorite artist and I would have to say `Wave on Wave' is probably my favorite Pat Green song."
Q: Have you ever met him?
MM: "No, but I have been to tons of his concerts. My dad's business partner actually knows him pretty well so he is trying to arrange a meeting or maybe even dinner."
Q: Do you at least have an autograph?
MM: "I do actually. My mom sent him the `Meet the Freshmen' game program from last year because under my name it had the question, `What can you not live without,' and I answered, `Pat Green's music.' He signed that for me."
Q: How would you describe your personality?
MM: "I would say I am pretty relaxed and fun-loving."
Q: Does that shine through in your new leadership role?
MM: "I think it does because I really do care about my teammates a lot and I like to stay cool and have fun when I am out on the court."
