PULLMAN, Wash. – Freshman Zia Sneva joined Washington State Volleyball as a freshman this fall after playing in Emperors Cup Winning NPJ 17 National Seattle club team in high school.
We recently had the chance to sit down with middle blocker Zia Sneva.
Why did you choose WSU?
I have been coming to these volleyball games since I was little. My grandpa went here, my dad went for a year, so it was always a goal of mine to come here. Eventually it became a reality, I like Pullman, and I like the environment, so it was always a big goal of mine.
Do you have a favorite memory from coming to our games?
I can't remember exactly when that was, but it must be around 2016. My sister and I got a picture with a player named Casey Schoenlein, and she was number 21. Now my sister and I are both 21 and Casey is the assistant coach for San Diego. We got to see her when we played against them, it was very cool and brought it all full circle. I have a picture with her and everything and it's just fun to be that person now.
What has your experience been like, starting as a fan and then coming and playing here?
I think it's so cool. I went to the camps when I was little with my sister and this year, I got to be a chaperone and stay in dorms with them. I remember when I was like, who's the coach for this? It's just so fun to look back at all the pictures I have from it. I also love throwing the ball out during player intros of our home matches, I caught one when I was younger and it's in my room. It's so fun to be on the other end of things.
Your dad was named the Washington High School wrestling coach of the year, how has your dad motivated you throughout your volleyball career?
He coaches football and wrestling, and he's very educated and intelligent. I think he's been helpful to go talk to for advice and coaching. I know he just really knows what he's talking about. I trust what he says a lot, and I think it's been really good for me to have someone that's not necessarily here, but someone I can talk to about this. I can trust what he says and I know that he knows what he's talking about.
How has your sister motivated you?
She's just my biggest mentor and she's my best friend, we're very close. She's also playing in college now at Marist, so it's nice talking to someone that's actively going through the same thing as me. She's done it, and we have a similar major so I can look to her for a lot of stuff, both for volleyball and school. I'm just very grateful that I feel like I've done this already, it doesn't feel like I'm going through it for the first time, and that makes it so much easier for me.
What has stood out to you this season?
I came early in the summer, and there's around seven freshmen, which is kind of a lot. Meeting all of them and becoming friends, we're very close now to a point where I'm not allowed to serve with Eli anymore. Because during practice we went together for a whole month and Korey told us we have to switch. So, it's just nice being so close with all of them, and having people to talk to about it. Having close friends has been so nice because you don't know what it's going to be like here until you get here.
How has the transition been from playing in high school to playing at the collegiate level?
It's been very different, especially from high school. I think club was a little bit more similar - faster paced and competitive. But from high school, I think just the days, the back-to-back days and hours that go with it has been probably the biggest adjustment besides just playing at a higher level.
What has been your favorite part of Pullman so far?
I like it, it's such a small community. During our games we get to see all our supporters, and we know their names and faces. They'll come by practice sometimes, and we have such a solid community, getting to see the elementary school and school kids come every single weekend and be so supportive is amazing.
What is something that you like to do outside of volleyball?
I read sometimes, I watch movies and TV a lot, and sometimes I'll get a little crafty and I know how to crochet. I like crocheting everything, I'm trying to make an orca. It's my favorite animal, and I'm from Washington, so it just makes sense. I made baby socks. I have a lot of baby cousins right now. I just like any craft in general; I made all my roommate's door signs, like the pennant flags with their names on them. So, anything that's small like that, that takes little time. I recently watched all of Harry Potter again, so that was fun. I like Little Women, and then TV, Real Housewives, and Vanderpump Rules.
What is a piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
A piece of advice, I would say is have more fun at volleyball practice and live in the moment more. Just try and enjoy what you can about it because it'll change eventually, it's still fun now but a different type of fun.
What is something that people might not know about you?
Well, someone might have assumed because of my dad, but I was wrestling when I was little, from ages six to eight, and I actually was pretty good. I got like third at state in freestyle and like fourth in Greco Roman. I didn't like it, but I did it.
What is your favorite memory of volleyball?
Playing with my sister - that was fun. Especially in high school when we were old enough to not fight all the time. But here, I think it was one of our first games where my grandpa came and he's a very, very big WSU fan. I got to throw him the ball that we hand out so that was really fun.
