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Abbie Miraldi, No. 7
Making good in the sports world is just a family tradition with the Miraldi family. And with the news of Abbie Miraldi's decision to accept a scholarship to play volleyball at Cal State Fullerton in 2010, she's the fifth family member to play ball in college.
Her father Dean, who also played in the NFL, played football at the University of Utah. Her mother, April, played volleyball at Pepperdine and UCLA.
And before she obtained her own college scholarship, Abbie watched her brother Matt, who plays baseball at CSU, Los Angeles, and sister, Kylie, who plays volleyball at San Jose State, do the same.
Sports Editor Brian Hamilton threw five questions at Abbie Miraldi, who is preparing for her senior year at Nevada Union High School, earlier this week.
Brian Hamilton: So why Cal State Fullerton?
Abbie Miraldi: “I've been kind of talking to them since last year. I've always been a fan of Southern California and I've got a lot of family living down there, so when I got the letter (offering the scholarship) I was very excited.”
BH: Was it important that you decided before your senior season?
AM: “It wasn't something that had to be done, but there's a lot of pressure in the volleyball world, if you're wanting to play Division I, to get committed before your senior year. It wasn't because I wanted to sign before my senior year. I just felt like Fullerton was the right school for me. But it's definitely a bonus to have made the decision.”
BH: Looking ahead to your senior season, are you already talking about a possible eighth-straight section championship for Nevada Union?
AM: “Yeah, definitely, especially with Bob (Rogers) and Larry (Peterson) coming back to coach and with all the young talent we have. Obviously we're all shooting for the same goal and hopefully we can make that happen again.”
BH: So what have you been doing over the summer?
AM: “I play for the Force 17-1 volleyball club out of Sacramento. It's an amazing club. The club prepared me for volleyball at the Junior Olympics, but I actually have also been training with Norm Rager at CrossFit Sierra in Grass Valley. It's been incredible. My endurance and strength was a big part of me coming out strong at Junior Olympics.”
BH: Considering every member of your family — with 14-year-old sister Torrie Miraldi entering her freshman year at NU this fall — had attained a college athletic scholarship, did you feel pressure to do the same?
AM: “Obviously, it's really satisfying because I've worked really hard for it. But I didn't feel any pressure with my family. If one of us didn't play sports, it would be OK. It's just that since a young age, I've been so competitive with my brother and my sister. It's just like a natural love for our family. We just seem to pick it up easily and all of us get into it.”
— Brian Hamilton, sports editor
Her father Dean, who also played in the NFL, played football at the University of Utah. Her mother, April, played volleyball at Pepperdine and UCLA.
And before she obtained her own college scholarship, Abbie watched her brother Matt, who plays baseball at CSU, Los Angeles, and sister, Kylie, who plays volleyball at San Jose State, do the same.
Sports Editor Brian Hamilton threw five questions at Abbie Miraldi, who is preparing for her senior year at Nevada Union High School, earlier this week.
Brian Hamilton: So why Cal State Fullerton?
Abbie Miraldi: “I've been kind of talking to them since last year. I've always been a fan of Southern California and I've got a lot of family living down there, so when I got the letter (offering the scholarship) I was very excited.”
BH: Was it important that you decided before your senior season?
AM: “It wasn't something that had to be done, but there's a lot of pressure in the volleyball world, if you're wanting to play Division I, to get committed before your senior year. It wasn't because I wanted to sign before my senior year. I just felt like Fullerton was the right school for me. But it's definitely a bonus to have made the decision.”
BH: Looking ahead to your senior season, are you already talking about a possible eighth-straight section championship for Nevada Union?
AM: “Yeah, definitely, especially with Bob (Rogers) and Larry (Peterson) coming back to coach and with all the young talent we have. Obviously we're all shooting for the same goal and hopefully we can make that happen again.”
BH: So what have you been doing over the summer?
AM: “I play for the Force 17-1 volleyball club out of Sacramento. It's an amazing club. The club prepared me for volleyball at the Junior Olympics, but I actually have also been training with Norm Rager at CrossFit Sierra in Grass Valley. It's been incredible. My endurance and strength was a big part of me coming out strong at Junior Olympics.”
BH: Considering every member of your family — with 14-year-old sister Torrie Miraldi entering her freshman year at NU this fall — had attained a college athletic scholarship, did you feel pressure to do the same?
AM: “Obviously, it's really satisfying because I've worked really hard for it. But I didn't feel any pressure with my family. If one of us didn't play sports, it would be OK. It's just that since a young age, I've been so competitive with my brother and my sister. It's just like a natural love for our family. We just seem to pick it up easily and all of us get into it.”
— Brian Hamilton, sports editor
