Athletes of the week

Alyssa Onan

(John Pechan)

Shannon McLain
VolleyballWhat is your favorite part of being a member of the LU volleyball team? Why?

My favorite part of being on the LU volleyball team is getting the chance to form close relationships with my teammates while playing the sport we love most. They’re my LUVers, and that’s all there is to it.

What’s your favorite song to listen to before a game? Why?
Basically, any song involving Lil’ Wayne is enough of a pre-game pump up for me. Why? Because he’s Lil’ Wayne – that’s all there is to it.

What is your favorite part about preseason? Your least favorite?
The best part about preseason is that there is no homework to worry about, or any school related stress. All we do is play volleyball, eat, sleep and repeat for three weeks straight – it’s great. During preseason we get the chance to reconnect with old teammates and meet the newest additions. But along with preseason comes the intense workouts, and the hardest part is getting back into volleyball shape after only playing sand volleyball and rec leagues for the past few months.

What is the hardest part about being an outside hitter?
In my opinion, the hardest part about being an outside hitter is reading the opposing team’s hitters in order to make the correct adjustment and put up an effective block.

How old were you when you started playing volleyball? What got you started?
I started playing volleyball when I was in fourth grade. A bunch of my friends and I decided that it looked like fun so we thought we would try it out, and ever since then volleyball became a serious part of my life.

John Pechan
Men’s golf

How did it feel to break the Lawrence record at Washington County?
It was a great experience. I was overwhelmed with excitement that I was able to break the school’s and my own record. I was more enthused with shooting a 28 on 9 holes – it has always been a goal of mine to shoot a 29 and I did better than that, which is fantastic.

Already off to a great start this year, what are your goals for the rest of the season?
My goal by the end of the year is for the team to qualify for nationals. Individually my goal is to become an All-American, which is definitely a tangible goal. My golf instructor and I said it from the start that I would be able to do so. I need to work hard on the off-season and I think that I will be able to do it.

What do you do to prepare for a big shot?
I have had the same pre-shot routine for several years where I don’t take to much time behind the ball that way I don’t second guess the shot I am about to hit. One or two practice swings usually.

What has been your favorite course to play on and why?
My favorite course is Chambers Bay in Washington because it challenges every aspect of your game.

If you could play a round of golf with any professional player, who would it be and why?
I would play with Steve Stricker because I like his demeanor [in] the game and I think he has one of the best swings in golf.

(Shannon McLain)

(John Pechan)

(Shannon McLain)