Temple University Athletics
Digging Deeper with Temple Volleyball: Heirakuji & McCullough
9.29.15 | Women's Volleyball
Throughout the 2015 season, two volleyball student-athletes will be featured in our "Digging Deeper" player features each week. This week, get to know freshman Mia Heirakuji and senior Halle McCullough.
How long have you been playing volleyball and how did you start?
Heirakuji: I started playing volleyball in 3rd grade. I used to watch my brother play in a community league near where I live so I wanted to follow in his footsteps.
McCullough: I played volleyball, basketball, and ran track in 7th and 8th grade because all my friends did, too. When I started high school, I had fallen in love with volleyball and we've been together ever since!
What is your dream job?
Heirakuji: To be a chef on the Food Network!
McCullough: I love kids, I have the "mom gene." Being an elementary school teacher, hanging out with kids all day and feeding the curiosity they have would make my day, everyday. I would also love to go out of country (anywhere really) and teach english to children or in a women's shelter and help young and older women get jobs and to become independent.
If you could play any sport (other than volleyball, of course) what would it be and why?
Heirakuji: Surfing, because I love the ocean and the feeling I get when I catch a wave.
McCullough: I always love watching our gymnasts. It's incredible the amount of strength they have and the crazy tricks they can do, I would love to be able to do half the stuff they can.
What is your pre-match ritual?
Heirakuji: Pray.
McCullough: I don't really have a set ritual, we have a speaker in the locker room so to get pumped as a team some of us will dance like fools and we all feed off of it. I do have a thing for headbands, so I try to coordinate a headband to match with the jersey for each game.
Who is the best dancer on the team?
Heirakuji: Dara.
McCullough: I wouldn't really say Izzy is the best dancer... She's just the most entertaining to watch. It either makes us wish we didn't know her, or cracks us all up; she has a gift.
What is your dream vacation destination and why?
Heirakuji: My dream vacation destination would be somewhere in Europe. It would be amazing to experience different cultures, eat amazing food, and see the beautiful cities within it.
McCullough: I went to Nicaragua with my club team the summer before I went to college and I have always wanted to go back. If I ever have the opportunity to take my mother, I would in a heartbeat!
What has been your favorite memory of playing volleyball at Temple?
Heirakuji: My favorite/funniest memory of playing volleyball at Temple so far is being asked if i'm the coaches daughter on multiple occasions. Akiko is not my Mom!
McCullough: My favorite memory playing for Temple was last season when we hosted UCF. Not only were they undefeated, they were one game away from breaking their school record for wins in a row... and so were we! We told EVERYONE we knew it was a huge game for us and we needed their support and soooo many people came. During the first set, we were losing 20-6 at one point and everyone in the stands was silent. Before the second set started, Tyler made a statement I cannot repeat, and something clicked in all of our minds. We ended up winning the next three sets, forced their coach to sub out one of their best players, and our fans were going nuts!! We broke our school record for wins in a row, and they didn't!! I remember jumping in the arms of one of our managers at the time when they all ran on the court to congratulate us. All of our managers were on the court with us and we all were hugging laughing and almost in tears for beating the number one, and undefeated team in our conference. It was a surreal moment. We were one of two teams to beat UCF last year and those are the two things I will never forget about my career here!
Favorites:
Heirakuji:
Food: Oatmeal
TV Show: How I Met Your Mother
Movie: Forrest Gump
Color: Yellow
Ice cream flavor: Rocky Road
Place to be on campus: The Insomnia Cookie truck
McCullough:
Food: Mac and Cheese or Pizza
TV Show: House
Movie: Tarzan
Color: Yellow
Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip
Place to be on campus: My room
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How long have you been playing volleyball and how did you start?
Heirakuji: I started playing volleyball in 3rd grade. I used to watch my brother play in a community league near where I live so I wanted to follow in his footsteps.
McCullough: I played volleyball, basketball, and ran track in 7th and 8th grade because all my friends did, too. When I started high school, I had fallen in love with volleyball and we've been together ever since!
What is your dream job?
Heirakuji: To be a chef on the Food Network!
McCullough: I love kids, I have the "mom gene." Being an elementary school teacher, hanging out with kids all day and feeding the curiosity they have would make my day, everyday. I would also love to go out of country (anywhere really) and teach english to children or in a women's shelter and help young and older women get jobs and to become independent.
If you could play any sport (other than volleyball, of course) what would it be and why?
Heirakuji: Surfing, because I love the ocean and the feeling I get when I catch a wave.
McCullough: I always love watching our gymnasts. It's incredible the amount of strength they have and the crazy tricks they can do, I would love to be able to do half the stuff they can.
What is your pre-match ritual?
Heirakuji: Pray.
McCullough: I don't really have a set ritual, we have a speaker in the locker room so to get pumped as a team some of us will dance like fools and we all feed off of it. I do have a thing for headbands, so I try to coordinate a headband to match with the jersey for each game.
Who is the best dancer on the team?
Heirakuji: Dara.
McCullough: I wouldn't really say Izzy is the best dancer... She's just the most entertaining to watch. It either makes us wish we didn't know her, or cracks us all up; she has a gift.
What is your dream vacation destination and why?
Heirakuji: My dream vacation destination would be somewhere in Europe. It would be amazing to experience different cultures, eat amazing food, and see the beautiful cities within it.
McCullough: I went to Nicaragua with my club team the summer before I went to college and I have always wanted to go back. If I ever have the opportunity to take my mother, I would in a heartbeat!
What has been your favorite memory of playing volleyball at Temple?
Heirakuji: My favorite/funniest memory of playing volleyball at Temple so far is being asked if i'm the coaches daughter on multiple occasions. Akiko is not my Mom!
McCullough: My favorite memory playing for Temple was last season when we hosted UCF. Not only were they undefeated, they were one game away from breaking their school record for wins in a row... and so were we! We told EVERYONE we knew it was a huge game for us and we needed their support and soooo many people came. During the first set, we were losing 20-6 at one point and everyone in the stands was silent. Before the second set started, Tyler made a statement I cannot repeat, and something clicked in all of our minds. We ended up winning the next three sets, forced their coach to sub out one of their best players, and our fans were going nuts!! We broke our school record for wins in a row, and they didn't!! I remember jumping in the arms of one of our managers at the time when they all ran on the court to congratulate us. All of our managers were on the court with us and we all were hugging laughing and almost in tears for beating the number one, and undefeated team in our conference. It was a surreal moment. We were one of two teams to beat UCF last year and those are the two things I will never forget about my career here!
Favorites:
Heirakuji:
Food: Oatmeal
TV Show: How I Met Your Mother
Movie: Forrest Gump
Color: Yellow
Ice cream flavor: Rocky Road
Place to be on campus: The Insomnia Cookie truck
McCullough:
Food: Mac and Cheese or Pizza
TV Show: House
Movie: Tarzan
Color: Yellow
Ice Cream Flavor: Mint Chocolate Chip
Place to be on campus: My room
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Players Mentioned
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