NEW YORK, NY – In our continuing segment, “Hunter Hawks: Where Are They Now?” We caught up with recent graduate and volleyball powerhouse, Mallory Grubler to find out what she's been up to and what's next on her horizon.
 
What Have you been up to recently? How are you enjoying your time off?
Recently I have just finished tutoring for this public school year at Champion Learning Center. I have been taking Anatomy and Physiology I at Hostos Community College four days a week as a prerequisite to apply to graduate school for nutrition, hopefully by Spring 2013. I just celebrated my 22nd birthday, so that was cool. I've been running a lot, conquering the trip from Astoria to Hunter over the bridge in order to use the weight room. Hopefully now that tutoring is over I will play volleyball a lot more.
 
What's have you been up to this Summer?
My Summer plan was to finish up this class with an A so I can take the second part and microbiology in the Fall. I might go to Virginia to visit my grandparents and then I will go to Cyprus for 2 weeks to visit my boyfriend.
 
Do you have a summer job, if yes, what is it? If not, what does your day look like?
I do not have a summer job. I work in the emergency preparedness department doing office work at downstate hospital whenever I am needed there. My day is mostly class, studying, and exercising for now.
 
You recently received the CUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Award, what was that like? What did it mean?
Receiving the CUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Award was a huge honor for me. It showed me that with hard work anything is possible. Since I was injured for half of my final volleyball season and strove my hardest to get back on the court by the championship game, receiving the award showed me that all of my efforts did not go unnoticed even though we didn't bring the championship home. It also made me feel like all of my time studying paid off as well. It is something I am very proud of.
 
What did your years at Hunter prepare you for?
My years at Hunter prepared me for life beyond school. I learned how to be on my own by living in the Brookdale dorms, how to navigate New York, and how to be self-sufficient. I learned that nothing worthwhile ever comes easy and that success only comes to those who want it the most. I learned how to stand out in a crowd and make sure my voice is heard.
 
What are your fondest memories at Hunter, on and off the court?
My fondest memories at Hunter are almost all on the court in the form of wins, cheering, and packed bleachers. For four seasons I felt like I was on top of the world every time I stepped on that court with my teammates. However, I think that in the future I will also remember all of the train rides and walks through the best city in the world every single day.
 
For many years you were a starter, what factors attributed to your success?
I owe my success to my coaches, teammates, family and friends. Even though I exercised and prepared to no end, I couldn't have done it without them.
 
What are your plans next fall?
Next fall I will be the head varsity volleyball coach at Abraham Joshua Heschel High School on the upper west side, as well as taking Anatomy and Physiology II and microbiology in order to apply for Spring 2013 graduate school in Nutrition.