Inside HOKIE SPORTS | Vol. 14 No. 1 | August 2021

inside.hokiesports.com 29 Q: Having grown up in Brazil, how has it been adapting to life on and off the pitch in Florida and Virginia? WD In Brazil, we play soccer the way we live. If you’ve ever seen photos of Carnival in Rio, you get a sense of what I mean! So, there has been some culture-shock (as well as weather-shock). But my coaches and teammates have welcomed me very well to my new home. Despite differences between Brazil and the US, we have so much more in common. Q: When you look back on your first season at Virginia Tech, how would you describe the experience? WD COVID had an impact, for sure. I was on the last flight from Brazil before borders closed AND I was under quarantine for the first two games. But I quickly felt a part of the team, got good playing time, learned from some early mistakes, and enjoyed being a student- athlete. There aren’t college sports in Brazil. You have to choose between soccer and studies, and I love doing both. Q: What expectations and goals do you have for your second season? WD Individually, I will continue to develop as a player and teammate. Collectively, we will have a winning season and make Hokies proud. Q: What kind of energy and attitude do you like to bring to the team? WD I bring Brazil! For us, soccer is not a just a game; it is an all- consuming way of life. And like all Brazilian players, I absolutely HATE to lose. I am going to do everything I can to WIN. Q: What’s been your best experience or favorite part about Virginia Tech? WD Beating UVA! In Charlottesville!! For the first time since 2005!!! Q: What have you been doing this summer? WD I am unable to travel back and forth to Brazil, so I have been living with a family in Florida that has provided a home-away-from-home for me and other amazing foreign players. We have relaxed, watched soccer games on TV non-stop, and trained together, pushing each other on. I am ready to return, refreshed and hungry to win! Q: At what age did you begin playing volleyball and what motivated you to continue playing at the collegiate level? KY I began playing volleyball at the age of nine. There were two big things that happened in my life that led me to want to play volleyball at the collegiate level. The first was tearing my ACL at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school. Being physically unable to play the sport that I had fallen in love with made me realize that I wanted to reach the next level and play college volleyball. The second was my younger brother Colby being diagnosed with brain cancer at that same time. Because of the treatments he went through, the doctors told him he would never be able to play football again. That was the sport he loved. As his cancer progressed, I played for myself and him. Volleyball was my safe place during that time and to this day I play for the both of us. Q: Why Virginia Tech? KY I had a club volleyball tournament at Tech my freshman year of high school. That is how I first heard of the school and I loved the campus. Fast forward to the beginning of my senior year of high school, Virginia Tech began recruiting me. From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew this was where I was supposed to be. I loved the team. The fans were amazing. I felt like I had everything I needed here academically. It was a no-brainer decision for me. Q: What is your favorite thing about being a student at Virginia Tech? KY Being able to be a part of Hokie Nation. It’s always cool meeting Hokies outside of Blacksburg and hearing about their time at Tech. Q: What is your major and why did you choose that major? KY I studied Multimedia Journalism with a concentration in Sports Media and Analytics undergrad. I chose that major because I wanted to remain in the world of sports even after my days of being an athlete were over. I saw people like Maria Taylor and wanted to be able to tell athlete’s stories. Q: What are you most excited for heading into the 2021 season? KY I’m excited to see our team’s progress. With COVID last season, there were a lot of obstacles we had to overcome to play. We have put in a lot of work on and off the court this past year and grown a lot as a team. Now that we will have a regular season, I’m ready to compete and start accomplishing the goals we have set as a team. Q: If you could describe the 2021 team in three words, what would they be? KY Competitive, determined, fun Q: What is your favorite memory from playing volleyball at Virginia Tech so far? KY I would have to say beating Louisville in 2019. That game was a big deal for us because they were a ranked team. That was the best feeling when we won the final point and the whole team ran on the court to celebrate. Q: What do you like to do when you’re not playing volleyball? KY I like to hang out with my friends. A lot of my days in the summer are spent either at the pool or the lake. I also like to just relax and watch new shows or movies when I have some free time. Q: What is your favorite thing to do in Blacksburg? KY Probably going bowling with my friends. It gets pretty competitive and there’s always a lot of trash talk. INSIDE THE HUDDLE Featuring Kai Young and Welnilton Da Silva Jr., aka “Junior” Kai Young • Volleyball Welnilton Da Silva Jr. • Men’s Soccer Da Silva Young