Q&A with La Cueva HS volleyball player Erin Jones
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Q&A with La Cueva High School volleyball player Erin Jones.
Name: Erin Jones
Age: 17
Sport: Volleyball
Sports participated in: Volleyball, Sand Volleyball
Years in current sport: 7-8 years
Team: La Cueva Volleyball, ABQ Juniors 18 Jordan (club)
School: La Cueva High School
Grade/Year: Senior
What are your personal goals within your sport/athletic dreams?
Erin Jones: My athletic dreams have always been big. Since I was 12, I’ve always wanted to play D1 volleyball at the highest level possible. These dreams are coming true as I will commit to a school within the next month. With college, I aspire to become an All-American and ultimately one of the best setters in the US. My next goal is to possibly play professional volleyball after college. This could be in Europe or the US.
What is your biggest challenge in your sport, and what do you do to manage this challenge?
Jones: Although people don’t often realize it, being on a team is the biggest challenge to this sport. With individual sports, like track, the recognition and the blame are on one person. You. With any team sport and especially volleyball (which requires different people in different positions to perform different skills), the biggest challenge is trust. The fault and the rewards belong to your whole team, not just one person. I think a lot of people struggle with pointing fingers, and volleyball allows you to learn not to do that.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
Jones: “Be THAT kid.” Be that kid on the court that steps up when no one can. Be the kid that brings everyone up when they are down. Be the kid that always has a good attitude. Be the kid that will never let up. This is what that means to me. My club coaches, Jordan Russel and Bryan Klein, often told me that my last season of club. They knew I had the ability to control everything that doesn’t even have to do with skill sets but are so important to the team anyway.
Do you have a saying or motto that you like to live by?
Jones: Instead of waiting for the outside world to make me feel good, feel good and create the outside world.
What do you love about your sport?
Jones: Every second of it. Volleyball is an outlet for me, letting me project and get out intense emotions that I would never be able to do off the court. The passion in volleyball is unlike any other.
Would you like to play in college?
Jones: Yes, I’m committed to play D1 volleyball within the next month.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Jones: No dreams are too big to achieve. Work hard and be smart.
What do you like to do outside of your sport?
Jones: I’m a huge thrifter. Most of my clothes are from second hand stores. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, playing sand volleyball, and figuring out cool hairstyles.
How would you describe your personality?
Jones: I couldn’t really put my personality into a little box and call it a day. My personality and my facade are crazy. I am always laughing, being loud, and being goofy.
What is your favorite snack food?
Jones: Dark chocolate covered cherries.
What is your favorite song or music artist to get you ready for a game?
Jones: Kendrick Lamar, no specific song.
Do you have a pregame ritual you follow?
Jones: Always take an hour nap before a game. Nothing else.
What has being a member of a team taught you?
Jones: Reliability, encouragement, honesty, trust, and most of all, it’s okay. It’s okay if we lose or if you have a bad day. It’s how you bounce back that matters.
What is the best piece of advice you received from a coach or mentor?
Jones: “Work before you play” from my dad. Basically, meaning that get your real stuff done before you can do the fun stuff. Obviously, I have found a balance in doing it, I’m not a workaholic (lol). But seriously, get your stuff done before you regret not doing it.
Can you describe a mistake you made while competing and how you overcame it?
Jones: I tried to go vegetarian last year. This one tournament I didn’t eat enough protein or enough in general. Little did I know we played 3 back-to-back games (I have never played 3 back-to-back). By the end of the second game, I was exhausted, but we were in the championship. I fueled up as much as I could and although I maybe wasn’t as vocal that game, I gave all my energy to my play. It was a great game. We lost, lol.
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