Aug. 20, 2017
The 2017 Auburn volleyball team boasts a large group of new faces in four freshmen and two transfers and AuburnTigers.com is spending time to get to know these newcomers.
Freshman Shea McNamara enjoyed a lot of success at the high school level and now is looking forward to bringing those experiences to The Plains. The 6-1 middle blocker from Cumming, Ga., is our feature with five days left until first serve!
Q: Let's start with the general question for all newcomersÃÆ'¢Ãƒ¢'¬¦why Auburn?
A: When I first visited Auburn, I immediately felt at home and just got a really strong feeling that it was where I was supposed to go. I loved both the academic and athletic sides of the school and every person I met was nicer than the last. Afterwards, when I would go visit other schools, I would always think "well, how does it compare to Auburn" and none of them ever came close.
Q: You're coming from a successful high school in South Forsyth, but the college game is a lot different. What are some of the differences that have really stuck out for you and how are you adjusting to collegiate volleyball?
A: The biggest difference is the pace of the game. High school volleyball is a lot slower and if you read the ball wrong or take a wrong step, you have time to rectify your mistake. In college, there is almost no room for error. Therefore, you have to put more emphasis on details such as eye work so you can be more efficient in your movements in order to be where you need to be at the right time.
Q: The middle blocker position is a very active one on the court. What is your favorite thing about being in the middle?
A: My absolute favorite thing about being a middle is getting more opportunities to block. In my opinion, nothing is more satisfying than a good stuff block, as it not only gets your team hyped but it can also put a damper on your opponent's momentum and even shut a hitter down. Middles are responsible for blocking almost every attack so there are more opportunities to get good blocks than in other positions.
Q: Who is the one upperclassman that you've learned a lot from so far this preseason and what have they taught you?
A: I have learned a lot from all the upperclassmen, but I think I have learned the most from Alexa Filley. She is a phenomenal player and has been a great role model for how the freshmen should act on the court. She is extremely tenacious and hustles for every ball, and she always puts 110 percent into everything she does.
Q: With the preseason coming to an end, which teammate do you think is the "joker" of the team and why?
A: My roommate, Anna Stevenson, for sure. She's naturally hilarious and has great mannerisms that make me die laughing. I love rooming with her because everything she does is entertaining and there's never a dull moment when she's around.
Q: The team is opening up the season at Georgia Tech, which isn't too far from home for you. What are you most looking forward to with starting the season so close to home?
A: I am most looking forward to starting my first collegiate season in a gym I have been in multiple times as a spectator. O'Keefe Gym has a great atmosphere during volleyball games and it will be cool to experience it as an athlete and not as part of the crowd. I am also looking forward to seeing friends and family from home as well as getting to play against several former club teammates.
Q: You're hoping to earn your degree in biomedical sciences. It's a broad major, but what do you hope to do with it after college?
A: I have been interested in medicine my entire life, so I plan to attend either medical school or physician's assistant school after earning a degree in biomedical science. Ideally, I want to specialize in optometry or neonatology. The two fields of medicine are extremely different, but I have always been fascinated by both and could see myself loving either specialization.
Q: Which class are you looking forward to the most this coming Fall semester?
A: I am most looking forward to taking Calculus I as I already took calculus in high school so it shouldn't be that hard. It is also one of the last math classes I will ever have to take so it will be good to get it out of the way.
Q: What are some of your hobbies away from volleyball?
A: My favorite past time is definitely playing the piano. I've been playing since I was eight and even though I don't have much time for it because of my busy schedule, I have a keyboard in my dorm room that I enjoy puttering around on every now and then.
Q: You're stranded on an island and only have three things with you. What are they and why?
A: I'm not really sure if a person would count as a thing, but if I could I would definitely bring my brother, Liam. He's an Eagle Scout and is naturally handy and creative so I could rely on his outdoorsy skills to keep me alive. The second thing I would bring is a white Wilson volleyball because ball is life and Tom Hanks proved that it's a pretty good companion to be stuck with on an island. The last thing I would bring is one of those water-treating kits in case there wasn't a fresh water source. Anyone on the team can attest that I drink an insane amount of water and if it's possible to be addicted to water, I definitely am. I seriously don't think I would last a day without it.
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