Get to know UTSA volleyball student-athlete Aliah Giroux in this Q&A.
Q: Why did you choose UTSA?
Aliah Giroux: "I chose UTSA because when I came on my visit I immediately fell in love with the campus and really loved how the coaching staff was passionate was about growing the program. I also chose UTSA because I am from San Antonio and there’s no better feeling than being able to have my family support me and not have to travel far for games."
Q: What do you like most about being a student-athlete at UTSA?
Aliah Giroux: "What I like most about being a student-athlete at UTSA is how involved we are in the community and how the athletic department makes sure we have everything we need and more."
Q: What are you majoring in and what do you hope to do following your athletic career?
Aliah Giroux: "My major is criminal justice. My hopes for the future are to go to law school and become a corporate lawyer and still be involved with sports but from the legal side of things."
Q: What is an interesting fact about you that most people might not know?
Aliah Giroux: "An interesting fact about me that some people know, but not a lot of people do know, is that I am a Type 1 Diabetic and I tore my Achilles [tendon] my sophomore year of high school."
Q: How did you first get involved in playing your sport?
Aliah Giroux: "I first got involved in volleyball honestly because basketball was not my calling, and so my mom just decided to sign me up for the YMCA league and from there I’ve just fallen in love with the sport.
Q: Is there any special significance behind the number that you wear?
Aliah Giroux: "The only significance No. 20 has to me is it was my club number for as long as I can remember."
Q: Who have been the most influential people in your life?
Aliah Giroux: "My father and grandmother have been the most influential people in my life. They’re from a small island in the Caribbean called Trinidad and Tobago and they’ve always pushed me to do my best. They went through a lot to get to where they are today, so they always tell me to take advantage of the opportunities I have and most importantly thank God for giving me the ability to play the sport I love."
Q: Who is your sports hero or role model?
Aliah Giroux: My sports hero/role model would have to be my dad. My dad used to play football and he’s always been the person to keep my head on straight even when things get rough. He always tells me not to make the mistakes he did as a college athlete and continues to instill his knowledge in me and tells me all the time that every lesson I am learning while being an athlete is a lesson a lot of people learn in the real world or in their careers. So, he’s just always helping me find ways to grow as an athlete and implement them into my everyday life."
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