Malia Aleaga, an All-American setter for the WWU Volleyball team from Burien, Washington, visited with WWUVikings.com recently to answer questions for a new series highlighting Viking student-athletes from across the department. Enjoy getting to know Malia!

 
Q: When did your passion for volleyball start?

A: I was introduced to volleyball when I was about five years old, going to a lot of my older cousin's club and high school games along with UW volleyball games. I started playing club when I was 12 years old and I think that's when I really found a passion for the sport.
 

Q: What do you appreciate most about the WWU Volleyball program? 

A: There is so much to appreciate about this program, but I think something that stands out in this program is the family atmosphere that you instantly walk into the second you are a part of the program. Starting with Diane and James, to the alumni all the way down to the girls who recently commit. There has always been this sense of family and sisterhood that I just appreciate so much because we all look out for one another and want to see each other succeed in all aspects in life on and off the court.
 

Q: What have been your favorite class so far as a student at WWU? 

A: My favorite class so far being at WWU is Sociology 269: Race and Ethnic Relationships. I learned more about the racial and ethnic minority groups past and present in the United States which was very interesting being a minority myself. And the professor was very helpful would always find a way to work with you if you did not understand a topic thoroughly.
 

Q: What is your field of study and what profession do you hope to pursue? 

A: My major is Sociology; I like the idea of getting to know and working with people from different backgrounds and I hope to pursue being an athletic academic advisor someday.
 

Q: What is your favorite pregame snack or meal? 

A: My favorite pregame meal if we are playing at home, I usually eat half of a burrito bowl from Chipotle or a smoothie from Emerald City Smoothie. And if we were on the road, I would get either a salad or some sort of sandwich.
 

Q: When did you know WWU was the right fit for you as a student-athlete? 

A: I knew WWU was the right fit when I came on my official visit my senior year. I came the weekend of the annual banquet, so I got to meet all the girls who were on the team, and my classmates now who were already committed. I knew Calley (Heilborn), Kasey (Woodruff), Anna (Maracich), Rylee (Born) and Tupu (Lologo) growing up throughout the years competing against one another in high school and club and I thought about fun it would be to finally all be on the same side of the net. They were all so warm and welcoming and I felt right at home knowing that I was going to be guided in the right direction on and off the court by both Diane and James.
 

Q: Your father played football in college and in the NFL…has he shared a fun story with you about his playing career? 

A: Yes, there are so many that he has shared with both my brother and I when he was with both UW and the Saints. My dad's story at both the University of Washington and the New Orleans Saint to me just inspiring to me because he grew up with not a whole lot and to know that he worked hard enough in the classroom and field to earn a college scholarship and make it to the NFL amazes me. What I've heard from him and all his teammate was he always one to put his head down and grind, even after hours. But I think the best stories that he has shared with my brother and I that came out of his years playing college and professionally is always about his teammates who turned into friends to his brothers and now we look to them as our uncles/family. To me it is fun to learn the background of him and his teammates friendships/brotherhood they created because it is very similar to what I see forming within our volleyball program.
 

Q: You earned All-America honors in your first year at the college level in 2019…what was it like when you found out from Coach Flick-Williams you had received that great honor? 

A: I was just in shock and did not really know what to say when Diane called me that morning. I was very grateful and honored to get that award, especially since it was my first year playing. But I kept going back to I really couldn't have gotten that award without my team because there is so much work that goes on behind the scenes, so without them I wouldn't have gotten to that point.


Q: Gameday for you – nervous or excited? 

A: Gameday...at the beginning of the season I would say I was probably 85% nervous and 15% excited. I always put too much pressure on myself and made myself way more nervous than I needed to. But as the season went on, the nerves settled in and I got a little more excited each gameday.
 

Q: Best piece of advice you have received from a coach, mentor or friend? 

A: Best piece of advice I have received is to stay and enjoy the moment in everything that you do. To not worry about anything outside of what you are doing but that one thing that has your attention. Whether on the court, classroom, little things, or with family and friends to be in that moment with them or by yourself because you never know if you'll get that time or feeling back.
 

Q: What is a favorite meal or dining spot for you and why? 

A: Favorite food for me would be mac and cheese, it has been my favorite since I was a little kid. I would order it wherever my family and I went. And my favorite dining spot I think would be Red Robin because my family and I would always celebrate birthdays or special occasions there. So there has been lots of good memories with family and friends made at Red Robins but also because they have amazing burgers and fries.
 

Q: What is something you think a teammate would share about Malia Aleaga?

A: I would think a teammate would share that I am a selfless, determined and hardworking person who genuinely cares about those around her and a big family and friends first type of person. At first, I'm person who can be extremely shy, but slowly will show more my personality once I get more comfortable.