Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Q&A with Saluki Volleyball's Alison Thomas
08/16/2018 | 9:05:00 | Women's Volleyball
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois defensive specialist Alison Thomas begins her sophomore season after a freshman campaign in which she played in Southern's final eight matches as a serving specialist, wracking up at least one ace in five of her first six collegiate matches. The Haymarket, Va. native came to Carbondale with an extensive background in both indoor and beach volleyball. She won back-to-back state titles at Middleburg Academy and was ranked in the top-10 nationally at the beginning of the 2017 USA Beach Volleyball season.
You have an extensive background in beach volleyball - how much do you think that helped you reach the D1 level?
It has helped my court-sense, my ability to read the ball, see different hitters and different angles of approach. It has helped me immensely and if I hadn't gone through beach I wouldn't be the player I am today.
When did you start playing beach?
I started playing beach when I was in sixth grade.
You won back-to-back state titles in high school- what memories do you still cherish from that run?
Junior year we won our first state title- that one was incredible. And then my senior year we repeated as state champions. Our first state title was a huge deal. We were the underdogs and nobody thought we were going to win. And we were these small girls coming to play volleyball. So the first one was amazing. The last set was 36-34- it was so incredible and everyone rushed the court when we won. Our second championship was important too- but we had almost everyone back from the year before so we didn't surprise anyone.
You began your high school career as a setter and moved to defensive specialist/libero- how did that transition happen? Having the setting background has had to help in both beach and indoor…..
I started my freshman and sophomore seasons of high school as a setter/right side and then junior and senior years I got to finally play libero. Having played all of those positions has helped me understand everyone's role on the court. The setter needs good passes but also needs to run fast to get to target, especially if a pass is shanked. Playing different positions has definitely given me a better understanding of the whole game.
What brought you to Southern Illinois?
I really love the school here. SIU was the only school to watch my sand volleyball highlights as an indoor program and I was offered a position here without even seeing me in-person. I figured if they had that much faith in me, then why not.
Did you get offers to play beach volleyball in college?
I got a few. I got some DIII like Eckerd College and I was looking as LSU and South Carolina as well. My beach partner went to South Carolina, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to go with her or not. That would've been amazing had I did. I wasn't sure what I wanted to play (indoor or beach) and I really liked SIU.
What is your focus for improvement heading into your sophomore season?
My focus is I want to help this team win. I learned a lot from Ashley (Edelen) last year as a libero and playing right behind her was awesome. Hopefully I can move into that role and be more of a leader. I just want to win.
So many new faces in camp this season - how do the newcomers look?
They look pretty good! It was a little rough at the beginning because they were nervous but they have hung in there. I think they are doing really well with the transition to college volleyball.
The Salukis open the 2018 season in Louisville, Ky. to take part in the Cardinal Classic on Aug. 24-25. SIU will host the Saluki Invitational on Aug. 31-Sept. 1 inside the SIU Arena.
You have an extensive background in beach volleyball - how much do you think that helped you reach the D1 level?It has helped my court-sense, my ability to read the ball, see different hitters and different angles of approach. It has helped me immensely and if I hadn't gone through beach I wouldn't be the player I am today.
When did you start playing beach?
I started playing beach when I was in sixth grade.
You won back-to-back state titles in high school- what memories do you still cherish from that run?
Junior year we won our first state title- that one was incredible. And then my senior year we repeated as state champions. Our first state title was a huge deal. We were the underdogs and nobody thought we were going to win. And we were these small girls coming to play volleyball. So the first one was amazing. The last set was 36-34- it was so incredible and everyone rushed the court when we won. Our second championship was important too- but we had almost everyone back from the year before so we didn't surprise anyone.
You began your high school career as a setter and moved to defensive specialist/libero- how did that transition happen? Having the setting background has had to help in both beach and indoor…..
I started my freshman and sophomore seasons of high school as a setter/right side and then junior and senior years I got to finally play libero. Having played all of those positions has helped me understand everyone's role on the court. The setter needs good passes but also needs to run fast to get to target, especially if a pass is shanked. Playing different positions has definitely given me a better understanding of the whole game.
What brought you to Southern Illinois?
I really love the school here. SIU was the only school to watch my sand volleyball highlights as an indoor program and I was offered a position here without even seeing me in-person. I figured if they had that much faith in me, then why not.
Did you get offers to play beach volleyball in college?
I got a few. I got some DIII like Eckerd College and I was looking as LSU and South Carolina as well. My beach partner went to South Carolina, so I wasn't sure if I wanted to go with her or not. That would've been amazing had I did. I wasn't sure what I wanted to play (indoor or beach) and I really liked SIU.
What is your focus for improvement heading into your sophomore season?
My focus is I want to help this team win. I learned a lot from Ashley (Edelen) last year as a libero and playing right behind her was awesome. Hopefully I can move into that role and be more of a leader. I just want to win.
So many new faces in camp this season - how do the newcomers look?
They look pretty good! It was a little rough at the beginning because they were nervous but they have hung in there. I think they are doing really well with the transition to college volleyball.
The Salukis open the 2018 season in Louisville, Ky. to take part in the Cardinal Classic on Aug. 24-25. SIU will host the Saluki Invitational on Aug. 31-Sept. 1 inside the SIU Arena.
Players Mentioned
Libero/Defensive Specialist
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