Amanda Ronan, Auburn Media Relations Intern
As Val Green prepares for her volleyball career at Auburn, she is asked the question about her defining moment in her volleyball career thus far. She claims that Auburn is a part of that defining moment.
"[My defining moment was] when I committed to Auburn," Green said. "I committed November of my sophomore year. It was so early and a really scary thing, but I knew after I made that decision that it was the right decision. I just kept working and getting better, knowing I had that ahead of me."
Green is more than ready to get on the court and officially be an Auburn Tiger. She was three-time Southwest Ohio Conference Volleyball Athlete of the year, three-time Southwest Ohio Conference First Team honoree and three-time Talawanda High School Most Valuable Player. The Oxford, Ohio native is ready to join the team with a positive attitude and strives to do the best that she can during her time at Auburn.
Q: What made you want to come to Auburn while going through the recruiting process?
A: It's really similar to my hometown. It's a cute college town. I didn't want to be at home, but I really wanted to be somewhere that felt like home.
Q: Coming from Ohio to the South, what do you expect the biggest culture shock to be for you?
A: The bugs, which really isn't as bad as I thought they would be. Everyone is so nice down here and it's weird because I'm not used to it, but I love it.
Q: What is your favorite Auburn tradition?
A: I think saying 'War Eagle' back and forth. Being from up north, I wouldn't see it too often, maybe once a month, but every time I did I would always yell 'War Eagle' at them. It's such a special thing.
Q: What is your earliest memory of playing volleyball?
A: There's this picture of me when I was nine and I was playing on a 12s team. I'm in this ratty gym, I'm three years younger than everyone else so I'm so small and it's just so weird to look back on. I've pretty much always played up though for my age growing up.
Q: On the court, what do you think makes you different from other players?
A: I think my personality. I don't think about it too much. I just really enjoy playing, so I don't get down on myself. I'm always trying to be positive. That's something that's hard to accomplish, being so positive, so I think that's what makes me different.
Q: What was your favorite memory from playing volleyball in high school?
A: My 14s year was the first time I was in real club. That's the first time I was playing with real volleyball players and that's when I met one of my really good friends who is playing at Tennessee. It was a really special year for me.
Q: How do you plan on making an impact early on the Auburn volleyball team?
A: I think with just my positivity, again. Coming in with a good attitude, striving to do the best that I can, and always staying up.
Q: What has been your defining moment in your volleyball career?
A: When I committed to Auburn. I committed November of my sophomore year. It was so early and a really scary thing, but I knew after I made that decision that it was the right decision. I just kept working and getting better, knowing I had that ahead of me.
Q: What is your biggest goal athletically while being at Auburn?
A: Just to work hard. I want to be a part of a great team and always get better as a team. I want to increase our record and be better in the SEC.
Q: What is your major and what made you want to pursue a major in that field?
A: I'm a physics major. I took physics my junior year and I really liked it. I just kept reading books on astrophysics, and I really loved it. I want to be an astrophysicist. I'll be studying the stars, the cosmos and everything that is out there.
Q: What is your all-time favorite song?
A: I listen to a lot of Tyler the Creator, he's my favorite.
Q: If you could have dinner with any famous person, who would it be and why?
A: I would definitely have dinner with Neil deGrasse Tyson. He's an awesome person and I want to be just like him.
Q: If you could have any superpower what would it be and why?
A: I would want to fly, so that I could go wherever I wanted whenever. That way I could travel all the time.
Q: What will you miss the most about home?
A: I really miss Skyline Chili a lot. It's a chili place where you get a ton of noodles and chili with cheese on top. I miss it so much. It's the first place I'll go when I get home. I also miss my family a lot and my car.
