Flame on the Hot Seat: Rachel Junen
This week’s Flame on the Hot Seat is senior volleyball player Rachel Junen. Coming from Huntsville, Alabama, Junen joined the Flames in the Fall of 2017. When not on the court, she spends her time hiking with friends or working hard on her studies as a nursing major.
What brought you to Lee?
“I got recruited by a former assistant coach, and I came on campus just to check it out. I met some of the professors, and they prayed over me and started to encourage me, saying that if Lee is the best choice then it’s a choice with you and God not just for volleyball. I really felt that the Lord was calling me here.”
How did you get into playing volleyball?
“I was in sixth grade, and my science teacher was the volleyball coach. She saw how tall I was. She convinced me to try out for the team, and I fell in love with it.”
What’s your favorite thing about playing volleyball?
“I really like how it’s fast-paced, and it’s pretty easy to score points.”
How do you stay calm and collected when the game isn’t going your way?
“Because the game is fast-paced, it’s pretty easy to get in your head, but you just have to take it one point at a time. When you’re down several points you have to think about this point and this ball.”
What does your pre-game routine look like? Is there anything you or your team do before a game that’s interesting or unique?
“We always show up two hours before the game. I always get my hair braided by someone on the team. We would go warm-up and then have a dance party, usually to Love Story by Taylor Swift.”
What has been your favorite moment at Lee so far?
“My freshman year, the very first U-Church we had. It was Lee U Worship. I cried because everybody was worshipping together, and I just felt like I really belonged here.”
What is your favorite music artist?
“I’m really big into country. Right now, I listen to Chris Stapleton and Riley Green.”
What are your hobbies outside of volleyball?
“I really like to read, and I’m a big nap taker. I like to go hiking with the girls when we have a free weekend.”
What are some fun facts about yourself?
“I sang on stage with [the rock band] Foreigner my senior year of high school, which was fun. My dad also works for NASA, which is cool.”
What is your favorite movie of all-time?
“I’m really into the Nicholas Sparks movies, so ‘A Walk to Remember’ is just the best, but also ‘The Notebook.’ I really like sports movies like ‘The Miracle’ and stuff like that.”
