WPIAL Alum Q&A – Samantha Amos

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 18, 2017 | 5:47 PM

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As girls’ volleyball continues to grow in popularity in the region, so too does the list of accomplished prep players who find success at the college level. To that point, Samantha Amos was one of the best players in recent WPIAL history at Upper St. Clair, and she’s now playing an integral role at Duke University. The Blue Devils’ sophomore is this week’s feature for the WPIAL Alum Q&A.

Amos was a four-year letterwinner at Upper St. Clair, making an immediate impact for the Panthers in 2012. That season, she helped guide the Panthers to a 9-3 mark in AAA Section 2, good for second place. USC bested Shaler Area in the first round of the playoffs, before falling to Fox Chapel in the quarterfinals. For her efforts that campaign, Amos was named First-Team All-Section and All-State, and was a National Freshman of the Year finalist.

The following season, the Panthers again finished with a 9-3 section record, but lost in the first round of the AAA playoffs, to Bethel Park. Amos’ individual accolades continued to grow, though, as she was again named First-Team All-Section and All-State.
In 2014, the Panthers produced an unblemished section record, finishing 12-0. However, the Panthers were surprisingly bounced in the first round of the postseason by Pine-Richland. For the third consecutive year, Amos garnered section and state honors.

In her senior season, Amos gained national acclaim for her play. Once again, she helped propel USC to a 12-0 section mark. After winning their first two playoff matches, the Panthers fell to eventual WPIAL champion Baldwin in the semifinals. USC bounced back to win the consolation, though, earning a spot in the PIAA bracket. After beating Allderdice in the opening round, the Panthers once again fell to the Highlanders. Amos produced eye-popping statistics on the campaign, registering 379 kills, 191 digs, 48 blocks and 43 aces. She was named First-Team All-Section and All-State for the fourth-straight year, and also was named the WPIAL Player of the Year. Moreover, she was selected as an Under Armor Second-Team All-American.

Following her prolific high-school career, Amos elected to join the volleyball program at Duke University. Once again, she wasted little time in establishing herself, as Amos played in 25 out of 30 matches for the Blue Devils, including 17 starts. In that action, she compiled 205 kills and 93 blocks, which ranked fourth and second on the squad, respectively. Subsequently, the 6-foot-2 outside hitter was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team. Duke, meanwhile, went 21-9, including 15-5 in conference action.

This season, Amos has played in 11 matches, notching 81 kills and 21 blocks. The Blue Devils are off to another strong start, with a mark of 8-3.
Samantha took time from her schedule to answer questions about her team’s goals this season, her fondest high-school memory, and her favorite series to watch on Netflix.

Q: What is the biggest area of improvement from your freshman season to your sophomore year?
A: Confidence. I am more comfortable on the court with my teammate. I know what the expectations are, and I am more relaxed when I play.

Q: What was your reaction when you were named an all-conference freshman?
A: Surprised and so excited. It’s a huge honor and I know the expectations for me are even greater this year.

Q: Has outside hitter always been your position, and what are the biggest differences between outside and middle?
A: When I played volleyball in middle school, I played middle. I was taller than everyone else and a pretty good blocker. The issue is that I am a left-handed player, and it is hard to set a left-handed middle. By the time I was in high school, I moved to the right side and it was a natural fit for me.

Q: Do you have a typical celebration when you or your teammates get a big kill?
A: I usually scream their name and give them a very aggressive high five.

Q: What are your team goals in 2017?
A: To make it to the NCAA Tournament!

Q: What has been the most memorable road environment in which you have played in college?
A: The most memorable road environment would have to be when we played at the University of Pitt and all my friends and family came to my game.

Q: Why did you decide to attend Duke University?
A: The athletics and academics are incredible. Duke volleyball has 11 ACC titles. The sunshine doesn’t hurt, either!

Q: What is your major and ideal future profession?
A: I am pre-med, although I don’t declare my major until next semester. I would like to work with terminally-ill children.

Q: You had great team success at Upper St. Clair. What was the biggest key to that?
A: My club season prepared me for success in high school. I was lucky in that we had many club players at USC with a lot of size.

Q: What was your fondest high-school memory?
A: Definitely playing with my younger sister, Alex. She is a senior now at USC and accepted a scholarship at Duke to play with me again for another two years. I can’t wait!

Q: What training do you use to increase your jumping ability?
A: We do different types of jump training in the weight room with our team lift coach.

Q: Do you use Netflix, and if so, what was the last series you binge watched?
A: All of the time! I’ve recently been binge watching How I Met Your Mother.

Q: What is your favorite season of the year?
A: Fall, because its college volleyball season!

Q: If you woke up as a millionaire tomorrow, what is the first thing you’d buy?
A: A puppy! I am missing my dog so much at college 🙂

Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A: My dad and grandpap always told me “Whatever the mind believes and conceives, it can achieve”. So true. I am so excited to be living my dream.

Tags: Duke