WPIAL Alum Q&A – Matt Vasinko

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, April 18, 2016 | 10:43 PM

In WPIAL boys’ volleyball, a select few teams have established themselves as perennial powerhouses. In Class AAA, North Allegheny enjoyed a historic run of titles. Meanwhile, in Class AA, Ambridge Area has repeatedly captured gold. Additionally, Derry Area frequently boasts a squad that contends for the WPIAL crown, and has often made deep runs through the state playoffs, as well. One of the Trojans’ top performers in recent memory is the focus of this week’s Q&A, as current Juniata student-athlete Matt Vasinko is profiled.

From 2011-2014, Vasinko starred for Derry Area, becoming a four-year letterwinner. Vasinko’s sophomore to senior years were filled with individual and team success, as he earned All-WPIAL and All-State honors all three seasons as an outside hitter. Additionally, the Trojans reached the WPIAL Class AA finals all three campaigns, and twice made the semifinals of the PIAA tournament.

Moreover, Vasinko was a standout for Derry Area’s basketball team, earning three varsity letters.

Following his accomplished high school career, Vasinko continued his academic and athletic pursuits at Juniata College in Huntingdon.

As a freshman for the Eagles, Vasinko played in 13 matches, registering 23 kills. This season, however, the 6-foot-2 sophomore became a key contributor. In 23 matches, Vasinko produced 178 kills, 71 digs and 16 service aces. Seven times he reached double-digits in kills in a match, including a career-best 18 in February against East Mennonite.
The Eagles compiled a record of 10-16, and their season concluded earlier this month in a defeat to Stevenson in the Continental Volleyball Conference semifinals.

Following the completion of the campaign, Matt took time to answer questions about his improvement this season, his pride in the tradition of Derry Area’s program, and what attracted him to Juniata College.

Q: You eased into action as a freshman, but this year you were among the leaders in kills and service aces. What were the keys for such a rapid development in your production?

A: The upperclassmen from last year were excellent role models. I was just fortunate to be a part of that team and keep them sharp in practice. The way they play inspired me and helped me to understand some of the mental and emotional aspects of the game and when I got my chance, I already felt somewhat prepared for the bigger moments. 

Q: What is your greatest strength as a player as this point?

A: My greatest strength is probably my offensive adaptability. Against the better teams, I’m often outsized, so I have to get creative with my shot selection if I want to score.

Q: In which area do you most hope to improve as you become an upperclassman?

A: My vocal leadership could definitely improve. As of now, I try to lead by example, but I think as an upperclassmen, it is imperative that I get more talkative on and off the court.

Q: How would you evaluate your team’s play this season?

A: We didn’t quite play up to expectations. Individually, every one of us battled day in and day out, but in my opinion, we never came together as a full unit for longer than two matches in a row.

Q: What are some workout training methods you utilize that are specific for volleyball?

A: At school, I rely on the workouts constructed by our legendary strength coach, Doug Smith. But the single workout which I have found to increase my explosiveness most is just a basic squat jump in the sand. I used to do hundreds of them in high school, but don’t get the opportunity as often here.

Q: The Trojans have struggled in some sports in recent years, but boys volleyball has always been strong. What was it like being part of a program with such tradition, and why do you believe the school has had such success in that sport?

A: I am honored to have been part of Derry’s volleyball program and culture. Any of us alum know what we owe to Mr. Schall for starting and building the program, and coaches like Bucky Hull, Brock Smith and Sean Spencer for continuing some of the things he set in motion. I don’t know what it was that made those first few teams so strong, but they were so successful that decades later myself and some of my friends were expected to tryout and carry the torch, just because we were some of the taller athletes in the school. That’s a special feeling, and I will always be grateful for the great coaching and community support I was exposed to, because that is what opened up a world of possibility in the next chapter of my life.

Q: What was your best memory from high school?

A: My best memory is of the conversation I had with coach Sean Spencer when he asked me to try out for volleyball. In hindsight, I can pinpoint this as the moment that my life took a serious diversion that led to some of the best athletic competition I’ve been a part of, and some of the best friends I’ve ever made.

Q: What led you to choosing Juniata?

A: Juniata College was a name I heard for the first time when I discovered several of my club teammates were heading there to play. After I met the team and explored the campus, I was quickly hooked, and it was the only college I even applied to. It simply felt right, and I think it was probably the people that made me feel that way.

Q: What is your major, and do you have a future occupation in mind yet?

A: I plan to utilize Juniata’s unique structure and create an individualized major in sociology with a secondary emphasis in politics. There is not one particular job that I have in mind just yet, but I do have a dream to teach at some point in my life.

Q: What has been your favorite class thus far at Juniata?

A: My favorite class at Juniata was international politics. Before I took the course, I was as politically apathetic as anyone else my age, but my professor helped me broaden my horizons and shook some of my fundamental beliefs regarding human nature.

Q: What food do you most enjoy?

A: My favorite food is peanut butter.

Q: Who is your favorite professional athlete?

A: My favorite professional athlete is Kawhi Leonard.

Q: What are your favorite movie and TV shows, either currently or all-time?

A: My favorite movie is In Time with Justin Timberlake, and though I never really watch TV, my favorite show is Adventuretime.

Tags: Derry Area