Get to Know Women's Volleyball Student-Athlete Renee Mapa

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- The next current student-athlete in Moravian College Department of Athletics & Recreation Get to Know Series is women's volleyball student-athlete Renee Mapa '22. Mapa has recorded 364 kills and 123 blocks in 57 matches with the Greyhounds.

Renee Mapa
Class: 2022
Major: Cognitive Neuroscience 

How did you choose your sport? People would often assume I either played volleyball or basketball growing up, as I was always tall. During my sophomore year in high school, I decided to try out for the volleyball team and ended up loving the sport.

Why did you come to Moravian College? Coach Shelley reached out to me my junior year of high school, and at the time, I had not considered local schools. I decided I would go for a visit and I ended up loving the campus, the team, the professors I had met, and the overall sense of community here at Moravian. It wasn't too far into senior year before I decided this is where I want to be.

What is your major and how did you choose it? I am a cognitive neuroscience major with a computer science minor. I was always fascinated by how the brain works and how relatively new both of these fields are compared to other sciences, as well as how the two disciplines can be integrated. It just seemed like the right path for me.

What are your future plans? My next step is to go to Graduate School, preferably in an urban area where there are more opportunities to gain field experience.

What is your favorite place on campus? I enjoy the Quad behind Comenius as the scenery is beautiful and it is the place where most campus events such as Fall Fest, Spring Fest, etc. occur. There are always great memories made in that area.

What activities/organizations at Moravian College have you been active in as a student-athlete? I am active in Brain Club where we have done many community outreach events in the past. I also participated in SOAR, an undergraduate research program, this summer.

Tell us about your SOAR project. My SOAR project was done remotely this year due to COVID-19. Dr. Bush and I proposed a study in which we would create a computer vision software to identify and track a Parkinson's Disease (PD) rat model to collect quantitative data and identify the differences between the actions of the control rats and the PD rat models.

What is your most memorable moment at Moravian? I would say my most memorable moment at Moravian is whenever I am on the court playing. I get to bond with my teammates and dissociate from whatever is going on outside the gym. Playing for Moravian is definitely a memorable experience that I will always remember.

Do you have any pre-event rituals or superstitions? I have to listen to a certain song before a game or else I feel like I will play bad.

What advice do you have for prospective student-athletes looking to attend Moravian College? Get the most you can out of the resources offered here at Moravian. Get involved as much as you can and don't be afraid to ask for help. The faculty and community here always have your best interests in mind.

What is the best piece of advice you've been given? Learn something new every day. You're never too old to stop asking questions and learning from those around you.

Who are your role models/most influential people? Although he is a fictional character, Rocky Balboa has had a big influence on me growing up. His story is a common underdog story that shows anyone is capable of the "impossible" when you fully commit to your goals and push your limits.

Which three people, living or dead, would you like to share a meal with? Martin Luther King Jr., Bruce Lee, and Helen Keller (I just wanna see)

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise most people. My dad has 7 siblings and my mom has 8 siblings, but I'm an only child.

Quick Hits:
Favorite Color – Purple
Favorite Food – Lumpia
Favorite Restaurant – Chili's
Favorite Movie – Creed
Favorite TV Show – New Girl
Favorite Musical Artist – I don't really have one
Favorite Athlete – I don't watch sports
Favorite Pro Team – I don't watch sports
Hobbies – I love to read and go to concerts (or used to)
Most Prized Possession – My pet rat Franklin
Ideal Travel Destination – Machu Picchu in Peru
Your Spirit Animal – Llamas!
Superpower you'd Like to Have – Turning invisible whenever I want