University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Mallory Hernandez
August 23, 2019 | Volleyball, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Mallory Hernandez has six younger siblings, so the occasional bit of chaos that could come with college dorm life last year was nothing for the Georgia volleyball sophomore.
A native of Fishers, Ind., a suburb of Indianapolis, Hernandez played in 28 matches as a freshman last season and earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors in the final week of the regular season. Hernandez and the Bulldogs play at Wake Forest in an exhibition Saturday and open their season next weekend at the Big Orange Bash at Clemson.
During a Quick Chat before practice Wednesday, the 6-foot opposite hitter talked about her hometown, being a big sister, an unusual eating choice and much more. Here's some of what she had to say:
Frierson: What was the best or most interesting part of your summer?
Hernandez: The most interesting part was when I sprained my ankle and my whole foot was purple. And maybe the best part was when we went to the lake with our track friends; that was really fun.
Frierson: How much did the ankle injury slow down your summer training?
Hernandez: I was out for about 3-4 weeks, so I couldn't do conditioning and stuff for a while.
Frierson: Tell me about home, what is Fishers, Ind., like and what do you miss?
Hernandez: I really miss my family; I have six younger siblings so it's always fun being with them. I just like hanging around the house with my family and friends.
Frierson: According to Wikipedia, Fishers has often been rated as one of the best places to live in the country. Why do you think that is?
Hernandez: We live in a really good school district, so my high school was really good. And I think it's just a safe place — Indiana, it's really safe. Not much to do but you're not going to get murdered.
Frierson: That's a lot of siblings you have; what's it like growing up with that big a family and that many little ones to help look after?
Hernandez: It's crazy but it's so fun. We always have people at our house, the neighbors, so it's never quiet and you're always entertained.
Frierson: Did that make the transition to college easier, just because you're from a big family, you're used to a little bit of chaos and having a bunch of people around?
Hernandez: Yeah, it kind of did. If people were loud in our dorm I could still fall asleep, or if the TV was blasting I was fine, I wasn't bothered by noise.
Frierson: What's something creative you do, or something creative you wish you could do?
Hernandez: Well, I can't dance or sing but I like doing both of them. [Laughs.] I'm good at some impressions but only certain impressions. I can imitate the Kardashians. [Laughs.]
Frierson: Is there a song you wish you could sing really well?
Hernandez: "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston. [Laughs.]
Frierson: What's something you could eat every day and never get tired of it?
Hernandez: Chocolate. I really like pretzel M&Ms, or just straight chocolate.
Frierson: Has coming to college changed your diet at all, or forced you to think about it more than you did before you got to Georgia?
Hernandez: I worry about it a lot; I didn't when I first came in and I had M&Ms on the side with my tilapia, so I got harassed for a while. [Laughs.] It's gotten so much better now and I focus on what I eat more.
Frierson: M&Ms on the side with tilapia, that's an interesting flavor combination.
Hernandez: I'm not proud of it. [Laughs.]
Frierson: But you own it, which I respect. What movie have you watched more than any other?
Hernandez: I really like "White Chicks." [Laughs.]
Frierson: That was an unexpected answer. I think the Wayans brothers would probably be surprised that anyone said that, as well. What is it about the movie that you like so much?
Hernandez: It's just so funny, I could just laugh at it all day.
Frierson: Who is the funniest person on the team?
Hernandez: Probably Dalaney (Hans). She's just so weird and is always making me laugh doing weird stuff.
Frierson: How much does that help, especially with how much you all are together in the preseason?
Hernandez: Oh, it helps a ton. We'll just be messing around and she really lightens up the mood. She's just easy to be around, same with Kayla (Rivera), too. They both make laugh.
Frierson: As you start your sophomore year of college and second season with the Bulldogs, what do you know now that you wish you'd known a year ago?
Hernandez: I wish I'd known not to stress so much before. I was worried about things like, I'm not going to know the rotations, I'm not going to know how to do this or that, I'm not going to know where to go during practice. But honestly, don't worry about it and things will go smoother.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
