Melanie Patenaude has been selected as the Hampton Inn Scholar Athlete of the Month. While earning a 3.08 GPA, she leads the team with 66 kills (2.75 k/set) through the first two weekends of play.
What is your favorite part about playing at Western Illinois?
My favorite part is how much the community supports us and wants us to do well. I really like how they always come up to coach and compliment him on how we are doing.
What is it like having a coaching change senior year?
It is definitely a learning experience. I am always learning new stuff from him. Even though I have played volleyball for so many years, I am learning new ways to play the game every single day.
What can you take from these past two weekends that you can take to Florida?
I have been able to rely on my teammates more this year, which has been good for me. Even though I have been here for four years, I have realized I do not know everything about volleyball but I am so lucky to have a team that can always pick me up. I know I always have five other girls on the court that will always have my back and will support me.
What has been your favorite part of being in Macomb?
I was skeptical at first about being in a small town because I grew up outside of Denver. I have really come to love it here. I am now used to the small-town culture and knowing people all of the time.
What are your plans for after graduation?
I want to head to chiropractic school. I would love to end up at Logan in St. Louis.
What is your dream job?
My dream job has changed a lot, as you might expect. I went from wanting to be an athletic trainer for a professional team to a chiropractor and back-and-forth. I just know that I have learned so much from the people that have helped me physically that I want to give back and help others.
What is your favorite dessert?
Ice cream – no doubt. I really like the chocolate extreme blizzards from Dairy Queen.
What have you been involved in outside of volleyball at WIU?
I was a student athletic trainer for the football team for some of its preseason camp.
Do you have any siblings?
I have two older brothers – Alex, 28 and Phil, 29
How big of a focus was academics when you were growing up?
It was huge, my dad always made sure I had good academic habits. I was not allowed to go to practice if I got bad grades or missed an assignment. He used to print out my progress reports and highlight the grades he thought were bad. He would lay them on my bed for me to find later.
