Last week, the spring boys volleyball season officially came to an end with a 2-0 loss against Vianney. First year head coach, Samantha Mueller added an important year of experience to her resumè, as her and the boys finished 6th in the Suburban West Conference. The Panthers are eager to improve and they’re already looking towards next season. Returning as a senior, Luke Hemenway has big plans for the future of the program. Hemenway won Player of the Match on April 30 in a victory over the Seckman Jaguars and led the team in digs. Mehlville Media was able to sit down with Hemenway and produce this spring finale edition of A Closer Look at…
Mehlville Media: How long have you been playing volleyball?
Luke Hemenway: 4 years
MM: What is your overall opinion on the team’s success this year?
LH: I think we played a little below our potential, but we had fun while we played which is the ultimate goal!
MM: What do you think was your best personal achievement this year?
LH: I reached 300 digs and was 5th in the state in that category at one point in the season
MM:What position(s) do you play?
LH: I play Libero
MM: What was the team’s best achievement this past season?
LH: Finishing over Oakville in the state rankings
MM: What is your favorite high school volleyball memory?
LH: Senior practice this year.
MM: What is your pre-game routine?
LH: I’m just here so I won’t get fined
MM: What is your favorite pre-game meal?
LH: Our whole team eats KFC before our games
MM: Other than volleyball, what is your favorite sport to play?
LH: I love playing hockey and playing basketball
MM: What teammate do you have the closest relationship with?
LH: I have a close relationship with Ben Dyer, who is actually my father.
MM: What’s on your pre-game playlist?
LH: Lots of music, but my favorite song on our playlist is Vivir Mi Vida by Marc Anthony
MM: What got you interested in playing volleyball?
LH: I played in middle school and I thought it would be fun to try out for the high school team
MM: Do you play on another team outside of Mehlville?
LH: I play for High Performance STL
MM: What will you do this off season to prepare for the next season?
LH: I’ll be in several camps and summer leagues
MM: What are your plans for continuing your playing career after high school?
LH: As of now, I don’t plan to play after high school
MM: How do you think the team did compared to last year?
LH: This year’s team did much worse, largely because we lost 10 seniors
MM: What do you personally need to improve on before next season?
LH: I need to work on reading the opponents
MM: What is your favorite part of playing volleyball?
LH: Being on a team
MM: What motivates you to excel at this sport?
LH: Seeing other people do well and hoping to reach their talent level
MM: What is your jersey number and is there a story behind it?
LH: My jersey number is 1, for all the times I’ve been born in my life
MM: What career are you pursuing after high school?
LH: I hope to major in Business/Finance
