Athlete Spotlight: James Wood Volleyball Player Ally Iden

Posted: September 16, 2014

Position: Libero

Parents: Lorri and Darren Iden

Hometown: Winchester

What do you love about volleyball: I love being part of a team, and working together and forming bonds with whoever I’m playing with.

Biggest strength and weakness in volleyball: [Strength], I believe passing and defense, because I’m a libero, and that’s my job. [Weakness], probably my mental game. Whenever I make a mistake, I just get really frustrated with myself, but I’ve been working on that.

Funniest person on the team: [Sophomore] Leilani Burch. She always tells random stories, so whenever we hear a story that doesn’t make sense we call it a ‘Leilani story.’

Prematch routine/ritual: Before every match we get together as a team and sing ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.’ It just reminds that there’s nothing we can’t do if we work together.

Most memorable moment in volleyball: Last year when we played at VCU for the state semifinal match. It was the first time James Wood had ever been that far in volleyball, so it was just really eye-opening and made us determined to get back there this season.

Most embarrassing moment in volleyball: When I went to AAU Nationals after ninth grade, I went to call the ball out, so I ran to the line, but the ball hit the back of my head and the whole team laughed at me. I was pretty upset.

Favorite athlete: [Beach volleyball player] Misty May-Treanor. She just has so much heart when she’s playing.

Favorite sports team: Penn State volleyball

Three people you can have dinner with, dead or alive: [Gymnast] Kerri Strug because of her determination and the heart she showed for her team; [Actor] Denzel Washington because he’s my favorite actor, especially because of ‘Remember the Titans’; [Author] J.K. Rowling; because I love Harry Potter.

Most interesting person you follow on social media: Maybe ‘Ron Swanson quotes.’ Because he’s from [the television show] ‘Parks and Recreation,’ and he’s hilarious. He’s like a really manly man, and he always talks about meat and manly stuff.

Favorite thing to do in town: Probably go to [thai restaurant] Sucilee’s with my mom. We eat there a lot. We get the crazy roll.

Best live sporting event you’ve been to: I went to a Boston Red Sox game [at Fenway Park] with my family when I was about 10, and my [older] brother caught a ball and gave it to me. That was nice.

Plans after high school: I hope to go to U.Va., because it’s beautiful and a good school, and study dentistry. I want to be an orthodontist.

— Compiled by Robert Niedzwiecki