North Carolina State University Athletics
Player Q&A: Riley Shaak
9/18/2020 9:04:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
After a standout prep career, freshman Riley Shaak is set to make her Wolfpack debut next week in the season opener on Sept. 23. Shaak was a 2019 Under Armour All-American and the first player in her high school history to reach 1,000 career kills.
Â
Q: What made you pick NC State?
I chose NC State because I loved the campus, the volleyball program, and it had great academics. I really loved all of the girls on the team as well!
Â
Q: How old where you when you started playing volleyball, and why did you start playing?
I was in 5th grade and I started playing because all of my friends where playing and I thought it would be fun.
Â
Q: When did playing in college become a goal for you?
Playing in college became a goal when I started playing HS volleyball. I really loved being part of a team and knew I wanted to continue it into college.
Â
Q: Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
One pre-match ritual is that I eat a pixie stick before every game
Â
Q: What is your favorite memory at NC State so far?
My favorite memories have been bonding with my teammates and meeting kids from other teams too!
Â
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
One hidden talent I have is that I can say the ABCs backwards.
Â
Q: Do you have any nicknames?
My nickname is Ri, this what my friends and family gave me when I was little.
Â
Q: What is your major and dream career?
I am undecided still for my major but my dream career would definitely include something in psychology.
Â
Q: What are some goals for the 2020 season?
A goal of mine for the 2020 season is to bond with my teammates and become closer with each of them. Also, another goal is to become an overall better volleyball player.
Â
Q: What's something you wish you would have known as a young player or during your recruiting process?
One thing I wish I would have known as a young player is that even though college volleyball is stressful and can be scary, the fun of the game never goes away.
Â
Q: Who or what has been your biggest influence?
My brother has been my biggest influence throughout my life. He has been my biggest role model and I look up to him in all things he does.
Â
Q: What is something about you that would surprise most people?
One thing that would surprise most people is that I am good at fishing and really enjoy it.
Â
Rapid Fire
Arena outside of Reynolds Coliseum you most look forward to playing in: Carmichael Arena (North Carolina)
Favorite Restaurant: Chick-Fil-A
Big Block or Hard Hit Kill?: Big Block!
Who's your silliest/goofiest teammate?: Sydney Ferguson
Teammate you'd most like to be quarantined with?: Hartley Myers
Favorite Uniform Color: Black
Favorite sports team: Philadelphia Eagles
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Pregame Song: Never Say Never by Justin Bieber
Favorite Holiday: 4th of July
Â
Â
Q: What made you pick NC State?
I chose NC State because I loved the campus, the volleyball program, and it had great academics. I really loved all of the girls on the team as well!
Â
Q: How old where you when you started playing volleyball, and why did you start playing?
I was in 5th grade and I started playing because all of my friends where playing and I thought it would be fun.
Â
Q: When did playing in college become a goal for you?
Playing in college became a goal when I started playing HS volleyball. I really loved being part of a team and knew I wanted to continue it into college.
Â
Q: Do you have any pre-match rituals or superstitions?
One pre-match ritual is that I eat a pixie stick before every game
Â
Q: What is your favorite memory at NC State so far?
My favorite memories have been bonding with my teammates and meeting kids from other teams too!
Â
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
One hidden talent I have is that I can say the ABCs backwards.
Â
Q: Do you have any nicknames?
My nickname is Ri, this what my friends and family gave me when I was little.
Â
Q: What is your major and dream career?
I am undecided still for my major but my dream career would definitely include something in psychology.
Â
Q: What are some goals for the 2020 season?
A goal of mine for the 2020 season is to bond with my teammates and become closer with each of them. Also, another goal is to become an overall better volleyball player.
Â
Q: What's something you wish you would have known as a young player or during your recruiting process?
One thing I wish I would have known as a young player is that even though college volleyball is stressful and can be scary, the fun of the game never goes away.
Â
Q: Who or what has been your biggest influence?
My brother has been my biggest influence throughout my life. He has been my biggest role model and I look up to him in all things he does.
Â
Q: What is something about you that would surprise most people?
One thing that would surprise most people is that I am good at fishing and really enjoy it.
Â
Rapid Fire
Arena outside of Reynolds Coliseum you most look forward to playing in: Carmichael Arena (North Carolina)
Favorite Restaurant: Chick-Fil-A
Big Block or Hard Hit Kill?: Big Block!
Who's your silliest/goofiest teammate?: Sydney Ferguson
Teammate you'd most like to be quarantined with?: Hartley Myers
Favorite Uniform Color: Black
Favorite sports team: Philadelphia Eagles
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Pregame Song: Never Say Never by Justin Bieber
Favorite Holiday: 4th of July
Â
Players Mentioned
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
OH
/ Women's Volleyball
MB
/ Women's VolleyballPack Volleyball Then and Now. Playing Venues & Program Growth
Wednesday, November 05
Pack Volleyball Then and Now. Players Discuss the Game They Played
Monday, October 06
Pack Volleyball Then and Now. Coaches Discuss How the Game is Played
Thursday, October 02
Pack Volleyball Then and Now. Former Players Compare Uniforms and Gear
Friday, September 12