College Athlete of the Week: Kylin Munoz

Published 12:04 am Friday, September 23, 2011

Hometown: Monroe (Monroe High School)

What she did: Had a team-high 13 kills and .429 attack percentage to lead the Huskies to a three-set win over UCLA on Saturday. UW (9-1) bounced back from its first loss of the season to knock off the Bruins 26-24, 25-12, 25-20.

What’s next: The fo

urth-ranked Huskies will be in Arizona this weekend to face the Wildcats and Arizona State.

The two-minute drill

It seems like the Huskies are really rolling right now. Is it starting to feel like this might be a special season for UW volleyball?

It really does. I think it’s because we jell on the court but also off the court. We all get along and we’re all really close. A lot of us actually live together, which definitely has helped. And you can see that on the court.

And your numbers have really improved since last season. What’s been working for you personally this year?

We’ve all worked really hard this offseason, so I’m happy that it’s showing this season. That has definitely made a change. But also, mentally I’ve been trying to be more aggressive and be a little more confident. Hopefully I’ll stick with it and it will keep showing.

Your mother, April (Topham) Munoz, played volleyball at UW. So were you one of those kids who had a volleyball in your crib and was playing the sport before you could even walk?

Yeah, my first words were actually: “Go Uckies!” My mom always tells me that. And the first game I went to, I got hit in the head with a volleyball. But because my parents both played, it kind of pushed me away from it. I kind of wanted to be a rebel, so I started out playing basketball. But I ended up giving in.

When did you give in?

Beginning of high school. Eighth grade, I gave up basketball for volleyball.

Could you tell that your parents were excited?

Yeah, they were definitely happy. I was decent at basketball, so at first they were like: “Uh, I don’t know if this is going to work out too well.” But luckily, it worked out.

Does your mom still play in any rec leagues or anything?

She coaches at Monroe High School and she coaches for my old club team. So it’s still volleyball 24-7 in our house.

How different is it now at the dinner table, since you’re no longer one of her players? Is it more relaxed?

It is. It definitely is. It’s kind of shifted from more of like a coaching role to a parenting, supporting role. It’s nice. I like it. Plus, she knows what she’s talking about. So I can always go to her if I need to.

Let’s talk about another former UW athlete. Hope Solo is on “Dancing With the Stars.” If someone on the UW volleyball team were to go on that show, who would be the best bet?

Summer Ross, for sure. She’s just hilarious. She’s the life of the party, always. She always makes everyone laugh. And she can dance. She taught our whole team the “High School Musical” dance that we do before every match. It’s a pre-game ritual now.

So you’ve got that dance down?

Uh … yeah. We’re all good, yeah.

So you’re ready for “Dancing With the Stars”?

Uh, yeah. That would be fun … to make a fool out of myself.

They did have a volleyball player on there once, didn’t they?

Yeah, Misty May. I think she did pretty well, actually.

In your hometown of Monroe, the Evergreen State Fair wrapped up recently. Did you get to go?

No, I didn’t, which really (stinks) because since elementary school I’ve gone every single year. Since I’ve gone to college, it’s hard because of volleyball, so I haven’t gotten to go yet. But friends have gone for me and brought me scones. So it’s OK.

Is that the best part of the fair?

Yeah, the scones and the purple cows.

Purple cows?

It’s like a blueberry ice cream, and they put it in Sprite. So it’s like a float. It’s really good.

Your friends didn’t bring any of those back for you, I assume.

No. That would not taste too good. (Laughs)

— Scott M. Johnson, Herald Writer