Like most student athletes at Pepperdine Hunter knows how to balance both school and sports. Unlike most student athletes though this sophomore volleyball player inspected Pepperdine initially for its academics.
“I was looking at the academics first and volleyball just came into the mix says Hunter, a 5-foot-10-inch setter. A California native, Hunter said she was deciding between UCLA and Pepperdine for her college choices, and at that time volleyball wasn’t even a thought.
Academics were more of a priority first Hunter said. She had not considered playing volleyball in college until she was convinced by her parents to contact the volleyball team at Pepperdine.
I e-mailed the coach and asked if I could try out Hunter explained. Their setter had just quit so I tried out as a walk-on.”
Hunter impressed the coaches and made the team her freshman year. “I kind of surprised them and ended up with a scholarship for two years Hunter said. It worked out for both Pepperdine and me.”
Pepperdine women’s volleyball head Coach Nina Matthies said that she got an e-mail from Justine about her interest in playing volleyball.
“We were scrambling looking around for a quality person Matthies said. I got an e-mail from Justine saying that she played for her club team and was a 4.0 student and was applying to Pepperdine.”
Matthies contacted Hunter and had her try out. “We thought that this kid could be a great setter she was a setter behind on her club team who was going to Stanford so she had great competition and great coaching said Matthies. She is cerebral and understands the game even though she doesn’t have a lot of experience. But we brought her in and she’s been gold. She saved us.”
As a setter Hunter describes her role as the quarterback of the volleyball team. She is responsible for running the offense touching the ball during every play and setting up the ball for her teammates to attack over the net.
“I assist to all the hitters if someone digs or passes we set them up Hunter explained.
She set all last off-season Matthies said. She needs to work on her defense and she knows it but her blocking has improved unbelievably.”
Despite her limited playing time during her first two seasonsMatthies said that we could be seeing a lot more of Justine in the next two years. “Her setting is immaculate and her serving and back row play is all that’s holding her back Matthies continued. But we work on it every day and she gets better. You will definitely see more of her junior and senior year.”
Hunter was guaranteed a scholarship for two years and if she decides not to play for the last two years she will be on an academic scholarship.
“I see myself continuing while at Pepperdine. It’s become a part of who I am says Hunter.
Matthies noted that she picked Justine up on scholarship.
She is one of those stories that just came together Matthies said.
What does life after volleyball look like? Hunter notes a possible career in teaching. I’m a PR major and am also in the process of getting my teaching credential for multiple or single subjects Hunter continued. I’m leaving my options open.
“Last year I started thinking about how fun it would be to be a teacher Hunter added. I’ve worked with kids before and at summer camps but it never occurred to me that I might want to be a teacher.”
Hunter came to Pepperdine with a lot of units from high school and decided to add a teaching credential.
“Every summer for the past seven years I’ve worked at a theater camp for kids Hunter said. It’s my favorite part of summer and I realized that I could actually make a career out of something like that… .I might want to teach second grade or high school English. I love to read.”
With aspirations like these it comes as no surprise that reading and English has always been a favorite of hers. Her favorite book of all-time? “Candide” by Voltaire an unexpected choice from this positive and bubbly athlete.
“It’s not really a book people say is their favorite because it’s very satirical Hunter admitted. The lesson actually makes fun of my life philosophy- ‘everything happens for a reason.'”
Hunter believes her philosophy explains everything that she has experienced. “It’s like with volleyball and Pepperdine she explained. You never know what can happen until you try. Everything happens for a reason.”
The invaluable friendships Hunter has formed with her teammates are important additions to her list of why she continues to play on the team.
“When I first met Justine she seemed really quiet and shy but soon she was talking and laughing like we’d been friends forever says teammate Kim Hill, a 6-foot-4-inch junior middle blocker. She has one of the most contagious laughs I’ve ever known.”
Hill also respects Justine’s work ethic.
“Justine is an extremely hard worker and she never complains Hill said. She’s a genius too. She works really hard at school and gets really good grades because she deserves them.” Hill explained that sometimes Matthies will tease Hunter when she does something right.
“‘Must be because of Great Books’ our coach will say.”
Hunter acknowledges that she hasn’t made many appearances on the court but she is waiting for her moment to shine. When asked what her top achievements in volleyball are she responded with a smile “It has yet to happen.”
Last season Hunter was Pepperdine’s backup setter. She played in five matches and had 18 assists counting the significant season-high six when the Waves faced Hawaii in 2009.
She has some notable achievements off the court however. She earned the WCC Commissioner’s Honor Roll “gold honors” for exceptional grades during the 2009 season. Although she is too humble to admit it her dedication to academics comes as no surprise as she was on the honor roll all four years at San Benito High School in Hollister Calif. and graduated as the class valedictorian.
And even though Hunter played varsity volleyball in high school all four years she wasn’t always a volleyball player. “I was a dancer for 10 years before volleyball she said. I actually gave ballet up for volleyball. It was a big part of my life.”
Hunter isn’t your typical California girl either. “I’m from a really small agricultural town very farm-like Hunter said about her hometown Salinas. Our high school mascot was the hay baler Hunter said with a laugh. As in a farmer who bales hay. We were on ESPN for having such an unusual mascot.”
Interestingly she grew up on an apricot orchard something that most people don’t know about her. As a result apricots are her favorite food. “I also love mint chocolate chip ice cream Hunter said.
The most important thing Hunter has learned since arriving at Pepperdine is time management.
Being a student athlete is a challenge Hunter admitted. It’s definitely difficult but doable to balance time and school…you learn how to be efficient and get the most out of every minute.”