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Kelly Irvin is a second-year setter on the Virginia volleyball team. After two weekends away from home, Irvin has checked in with VirginiaSports.com to talk about when she first started playing volleyball and some interests she has away from the court. The Cavaliers return to Memorial Gym for two consecutive weekends of conference action. Virginia will host Duke on Friday at 7 p.m. and Wake Forest on Sunday at noon.
Question: When were you first introduced to volleyball?
Irvin: I started playing volleyball in elementary school. My dad first introduced me to the sport and a lot of my friends also played. Volleyball is one of the most popular sports in California so that’s why I was introduced to it so early.
Question: When did you first know you wanted to play volleyball in college?
Irvin: I have had aspirations to play in college starting in middle school, but then in high school, that dream was able to become a reality. Also, a lot of my family had played volleyball and other sports in college so that helped get the idea to play in my head.
Question: What is your favorite volleyball memory at UVa?
Irvin: Beating Georgia Tech on the road my first year. It was one of the most intense and fun games I’ve played in and it made it that much sweeter that we won in five.
Question: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
Irvin: Listening to the song Im’ma Shine always gets me pumped to play.
Question: What are your goals for the rest of this season?
Irvin: I want to consistently get better and be in the running for the ACC Championship.
Question: Where is your favorite place to hang out on grounds?
Irvin: I like to hang out in the PAV and I like going to the Corner on sunny days.
Question: What is something interesting about yourself that would surprise most people who know you?
Irvin: Most people don’t know that I’m ambidextrous.
Question: What are some of your non-athletic interests that you have?
Irvin: I’m really into photography and making collages.
Question: How would you choose to spend a day off from work and school?
Irvin: I would probably try and do nothing. I would find a nice place outside and enjoy the day off. There’s nothing better than a nice day during the fall in Charlottesville.
Question: What are you studying at Virginia? What is your favorite class so far?
Irvin: I haven’t picked a major yet. But my favorite classes so far have been my Media Studies class I’m in right now and I enjoyed my class on media and politics that I took this summer.