5 Sets with Penina Snuka
11/22/2016 | Volleyball
Penina Snuka has defined Arizona Volleyball over her decorated four-year career.
Sure, she's near the top of the Arizona career leader boards. The list goes on from there, including being named to the All-Pac-12 and All-Region first teams in each of the last two years. When it comes to statistics, the collection is impressive. Snuka has posted 1203 assists on the year, including a season high 60 against Washington State (11/13), while also posting a .232 hitting percentage. Her greatest strength has been her reliability, as she is on pace to set a career high in sets played. She has never played less than 114 sets in a season.
It's easy to get lost in the mind boggling statistical dominance that Snuka has posted throughout her Arizona career. But what really defines Snuka is her leadership of a team that has come together as a family as the season has gone on.
ArizonaWildcats.com sat down with Snuka one last time to reflect on her career and this season.
As a senior, how have you seen this year's team and this program evolve?
"One thing that's changed is that through each of the years I've been here, the team has come closer. We've done a better job of welcoming the new girls and helping out with the freshmen. Not that I didn't think the team was like that when I first got here, but I feel like the closeness of our team and the locker room have gotten a lot better."
What is your favorite aspect of the 2016 team?
"Everyone tends to roast one another. There's really no sensitivity on this team, so everyone is able to take the hits and laugh, and keep it coming. We have a lot of fun that way."
What are your goals for the remainder of the season?
"We just want to continue to get better. We want to make a deep run in the tournament. We're taking everyday one day at a time. We're honoring the process, as (head coach) Dave Rubio would say."
As one of the leaders on this team, what do you think it takes to be a successful leader?
"My big thing is coming every single day to compete. I'm a big competitor. My will to win is something that I would hope each member of the team would have as well. We're here to win, and we're here to compete. It's important to come in with the attitude to work hard, and be involved in every play."
What are you going to miss most after your senior season comes to an end?
"I know for sure I'll miss doing my senior handshake with Laura Larson. I keep counting down the days until we won't be able to do it anymore. Mostly, I'll just miss playing for Dave and playing at McKale. I'll miss that a lot."
Sure, she's near the top of the Arizona career leader boards. The list goes on from there, including being named to the All-Pac-12 and All-Region first teams in each of the last two years. When it comes to statistics, the collection is impressive. Snuka has posted 1203 assists on the year, including a season high 60 against Washington State (11/13), while also posting a .232 hitting percentage. Her greatest strength has been her reliability, as she is on pace to set a career high in sets played. She has never played less than 114 sets in a season.
It's easy to get lost in the mind boggling statistical dominance that Snuka has posted throughout her Arizona career. But what really defines Snuka is her leadership of a team that has come together as a family as the season has gone on.
ArizonaWildcats.com sat down with Snuka one last time to reflect on her career and this season.
As a senior, how have you seen this year's team and this program evolve?
"One thing that's changed is that through each of the years I've been here, the team has come closer. We've done a better job of welcoming the new girls and helping out with the freshmen. Not that I didn't think the team was like that when I first got here, but I feel like the closeness of our team and the locker room have gotten a lot better."
What is your favorite aspect of the 2016 team?
"Everyone tends to roast one another. There's really no sensitivity on this team, so everyone is able to take the hits and laugh, and keep it coming. We have a lot of fun that way."
What are your goals for the remainder of the season?
"We just want to continue to get better. We want to make a deep run in the tournament. We're taking everyday one day at a time. We're honoring the process, as (head coach) Dave Rubio would say."
As one of the leaders on this team, what do you think it takes to be a successful leader?
"My big thing is coming every single day to compete. I'm a big competitor. My will to win is something that I would hope each member of the team would have as well. We're here to win, and we're here to compete. It's important to come in with the attitude to work hard, and be involved in every play."
What are you going to miss most after your senior season comes to an end?
"I know for sure I'll miss doing my senior handshake with Laura Larson. I keep counting down the days until we won't be able to do it anymore. Mostly, I'll just miss playing for Dave and playing at McKale. I'll miss that a lot."
Players Mentioned
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