Mary Washington junior Karissa Herrick has been the primary blocker at the net for the Eagles volleyball for the last three years.  She is also among the leaders in other statistical categories, helping fourth-seeded UMW advance to Thursday’s CAC playoff semifinals at top-seeded Salisbury.  As a double-major (mathematics and education), Herrick is hoping her teaching skills will someday help with instilling respect for others and being a positive role model for her students.  INTRODUCING … Karissa Herrick.

Briefly, what is your background in the sport you play?   My parents introduced me to volleyball in 6^th grade because they knew that I was going to be tall when I grew up. I started playing competitive volleyball in high school and then decided to play in college. Since I started college, I play in various beach tournaments and leagues over the summer.

What is your favorite spot on campus?   My favorite spot on campus is right outside of the Trinkle building.  Trinkle is where all the education classes and all of the math classes are, so I am usually there.  Trinkle is a great place to people watch and to hang out with your friends on a really nice day.

Outside of your home and campus, where is your favorite place visit?  I love visiting the beach whenever I can. During the summer, I try to go to the beach as much as possible and can spend over 13 hours there. On the beach I am so relaxed, but I also can play lots of beach volleyball.  

Other than your team, what organization (s) do you participate in (on campus or off campus)?  I am an executive for the Side by Side program at Mary Washington, where student athletes go to a local elementary school during lunch time and they eat lunch with an at-risk child. It is one of the most rewarding experiences that I have had in my life. I also work for the athletic department during the off season.

Briefly describe the most memorable experience during your collegiate athletic career.   I will never forget the first home game this season against Marymount when Mary Washington volleyball played the first game in the brand new Anderson Center. Playing in front of a packed crowd of fans showing support made the game even more fun than usual. The team was not only playing for themselves, but they were playing for the school as well.

What is the most important societal issue facing college students?   The most important societal issue facing college students is making decisions.  Even a small decision about time management can really affect any college student. I have seen students decide to not do their homework or even not to go to class, and those students do not think about the consequences for their actions

What is your major in college, and what is the most important thing you learned in that discipline?    I am a math major, but I also am in the secondary education program at Mary Washington. From math, one of the most important things I learned is even if you are off to bad start in a class, you can always rally back if you put enough effort into it. From the education program I have learned a lot about how to be an ideal role model for my future students.

If you could change any one item in the world (in your personal life, school, community, amateur or professional sports, national/international issue, etc.), what would it be, why, and how would you do it?   I would change the way people interact with other people. Nowadays people tend to think more about themselves and are inconsiderate towards others. A way that I can change this is through my personal actions and in my classroom. As a teacher, I will be on the lookout for negative and rude attitudes and will do my best to enlighten the students on respect.  

Other than your family members, who was the most influential person in your life?   My babysitter growing up, Gloria, was the most influential person in my life because she was a big contribution to how I grew up. Gloria taught me a lot about manners and how to find the joy in life, two things which are very important.

What is your favorite form of entertainment?  My favorite form of entertainment is watching Disney movies because I can do homework while watching them, but they can always put a smile on my face no matter what. I think it is important to stay connected to childhood.

What is your favorite source of information (TV, book, magazine, website, friends in dining hall, etc.)?   I get a lot of information from the internet, specifically New York Times alerts that I get to my email. However, I usually find out about major events in the world from Twitter.

If you could give one piece of advice to elementary school children, what would that advice be?  I would tell children that manners are the key to life. If children learn to share and maintain their manners, then growing up they are much more polite. I think recent generations are very disrespectful to their elders, and I think that manners would help make the world a better place.

Outside of the Capital Athletic Conference, who or what is your favorite sports person or team?  I love watching Phil Dalhausser play because he can dominate any volleyball net that he is at, and it is very inspiring. I always cheer for Clemson football, Villanova and UConn basketball, and the club field hockey team at the University of Pennsylvania because my sister plays on it.

Name three (3) people, real or fictional, living or dead, that you'd like to have dinner with?   I would eat dinner with my Grandpa Jack, who died before I was born, because I would really love to get to know him. I also would pick Walt Disney because he had such a great imagination that has touched the lives of so many people in the world. Finally I would pick Euclid, an ancient mathematician who made so many major contributions to the math world, particularly geometry. I think it would be cool to talk to him just to experience his thought process on how to figure out complicated problems.