Athlete of the Week: Connor Corgiat
Sport: Men’s volleyball Grade Level: Sophomore
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Major: Business marketing
Position: Outside hitter
The Corsair: How did you get into volleyball?
Connor Corgiat: By being around volleyball while growing up around the beach and playing for leisure. I started playing on the junior varsity team on my freshman year in high school.
The Corsair: What do you like most about volleyball?
Connor Corgiat: It is a precise game and has momentum. The best team doesn’t always win, the team that plays the hardest and uses the momentum does.
The Corsair: What is your greatest sports memory?
Connor Corgiat: Winning the CIF Southern Section championship for my high school during my senior year.
The Corsair: What came after high school?
Connor Corgiat: I went to Grossmont College for a year, and then transferred to the University of Hawaii at Manoa. While out there, I got hit by a drunk guy on a jet ski who was going against traffic. I was in a wheelchair for a while, and the doctors were saying I might not be able to play again. Then I moved back to San Diego to recover. My recovery took about two and a half years.
The Corsair: Do you have any favorite professional volleyball players?
Connor Corgiat: Sean Rosenthal is one of the most inspirational players out there, because he never played on an organized team, he just played on the beach and became an Olympic athlete.
The Corsair: What is on your music workout playlist?
Connor Corgiat: T.V. on the Radio, Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, and old school classic rock.
The Corsair: What do you like to do during your free time?
Connor Corgiat: I like reading the newspaper and getting news online. I don’t like watching T.V. as much, but I like watching documentaries; anything that’s not the Jersey Shore, or reality T.V.
The Corsair: What is your daily routine like?
Connor Corgiat: I have class in the mornings until about 11 a.m. and then I hit the gym. I try to incorporate more muscles and mix it up by trying new techniques. I do a program called The Ultimate Yogi, which was developed by my assistant coach, Yariv Lerner, and it has played a huge role in optimizing my ability to perform.
The Corsair: What do you do before every match?
Connor Corgiat: I focus on getting a good stretch, and try to focus and mentally prepare myself.
The Corsair: Do you have to follow a strict diet to stay in shape for volleyball? If so, what does your diet include?
Connor Corgiat: I try to stay as healthy as I can. I get in veggies and cut down on sugars.
The Corsair: What’s the best advice you can give to someone who has just started playing volleyball?
Connor Corgiat: Remember to have fun with it; don’t treat it too seriously like a job. Always have fun.
The Corsair: What are you plans after SMC?
Connor Corgiat: I plan to transfer to Loyola Marymount University to pursue my bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
“I would describe Connor’s volleyball talent as aggressive—he’s a go-getter,” said head volleyball coach John Mayer. “He jumps really well, he’s a strong kid. Volleyball wise, he’s just a talented, athletic guy. And in terms of outside of volleyball, he’s a fiery competitor, and he’s very aggressive. He’s a natural leader and he’s very vocal about it. Guys naturally follow him because he’s not afraid to step up, and I think that’s one of his best qualities.”