Summer Spotlight: Mallory Husz

Aug. 6, 2010

IOWA CITY, IA – University of Iowa volleyball fans can get personal with their favorite Hawkeyes by checking out hawkeyesports.com’s Summer Spotlight. The 2010 Hawkeyes understand the excitement that accompanies summer vacation – long days, trips to the pool, spending countless hours with friends – so they’re using the official website of the Iowa Hawkeyes to connect with their fans and share a little bit about themselves. Today’s Summer Spotlight is Mallory Husz, a junior health science major from Council Bluffs, IA.

What was your favorite memory from the 2009 season?
“When we took a set from Penn State on their home floor. I remember when I watched Megan Hodge’s ball land out of bounds I ran to the center and gave Alli Straumann a HUGE hug!! It was an amazing feeling, and I think you could hear a pen drop because the thousands of Penn State fans were silent.”

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
“I grew up on a farm so there were always a ton of animals around. I found a bird with a broken wing one time so I nursed it back to health. After that, I decided to “run” my own animal hospital! To this day I still LOVE all animals and I am planning on becoming a nurse!”

Why did you choose the University of Iowa and Iowa Volleyball?
“I absolutely love Taco Bell, and when I came on my first visit to Iowa, I saw a Taco Bell on the drive in and yelled to my Mom, `I COMMIT!’ But, what sold me was the amazing arena that the team played in and being able to feel the spirit of Iowa around campus. Everywhere I go, whether it is back home or in another state’s airport, I see a Hawkeye fan.”

Favorite Iowa volleyball player (past or present) to watch and why?
“I don’t really have a favorite player, but I absolutely love watching back row players. It is something that I am not extremely talented at so watching them dig an awesome hit is amazing to me; like I’m sure it is for them watching the front row hitters kill a ball!”

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
“I would go to the Pacific Islands. I would also love to travel to Australia, Hawaii, New Zealand, and Samoa.”

Favorite thing about Iowa volleyball team?
“The girls on the team are all great. We are a very close team and we are business on the court, but the second we are off of it we have so much fun!”

What super power would you most like to have? Why?
“I would like to be able to teleport. I hate traveling, especially on planes (major fear!) So, being able to teleport from one place to the next would save time, money, and my nerves!”

If you could play another sport in college what would it be and why?
“I would play basketball in college. It was actually a dream of mine, and it was my first love! I toyed with the idea of playing basketball and volleyball, but both coaches told me I would have to choose one or the other.”

Most played song (& by whom) on your iPod?
“Sold by John Michael Montgomery. I remember listening to it on a cassette in my dad’s combine when I was really little. Brings back so many memories!”

What is the best characteristic about you?
“I think my constant smiling is a good thing. I don’t usually know that I am doing it, but I believe that smiling is very contagious so it is a quality that benefits other people, too! The only downfall, my cheeks start to hurt after awhile!”

What is something you can’t live without? Why?
“My family. I could live without any of my personal belongings, but my family is something I could never live without. They helped me become the person I am today, and they have helped me get to the place where I am at. And, they will help me get to where I am going.”

Future plans after graduating from the University of Iowa?
“I am planning on going to a one-year accelerated nursing program in Malibu, California. After I graduate I want to either work for a couple of years in California or possibly move back to Omaha and work at the same hospital my two older sisters work.”

Finish the sentence…

I play best when… I am wearing some sort of sparkles, or a bow.

The best thing about volleyball is… being able to look girly and cute in our uniforms while we dominate in our sport.

I hope to be remembered in life for… finding or helping to cure Pancreatic Cancer.

On day I will… have a husband and a great family and bring them back to watch and cheer on Iowa volleyball.