On the clock with … Megan White


Growing up, it’s not uncommon for athletes to balance multiple sports.

Rice senior libero Megan White took a different approach: volleyball … and horses.

“It’s definitely a different combination,” said White, who was a competitive rider at the Coto Valley Equestrian Center in California. “I actually almost went to college on a scholarship for that.”

White, who currently is fourth in Conference USA with 4.94 digs per set, hopes to some day return to riding.

For now, White and the Owls are preparing for this weekend’s Stephen F. Austin Invitational and the start of Conference USA play Tuesday against cross-town rival Houston.

Question: Do you own horses?

Answer: We did. But we sold them.

Q: How many?

A: Over a period of time I’ve had four, but only one at a time.

Q: What was the name of your favorite horse?

A: His name was “Buffalo.” He was an incredible horse.

Q: How did you get into riding?

A: I grew up in a private gated community and every day when we would be driving, I would see a billboard for a prestigious equestrian center. I was like (says really fast) ‘589-5000.’ Call it. I want to ride horses.

Q: What was the number again?

A: (a little slower) 589-5000. I recited it all the time. My mom finally gave in because she was so nervous that I was going to get hurt. Immediately the trainer recognized that I was good at it.

Q: How old were you?

A: I was 7 or 8 years old.

Q: Do you still ride?

A: Actually, I just recently met a girl who moved from the Kentucky area and she found a barn out here. So I’m going to go ride with her. But I’m probably going to wait until the season is done, so I don’t break a leg and (coach Genny Volpe) kills me.

Q: If you would have chosen equestrian, what schools could you have gone to?

A: Random schools. SMU actually has a great equestrian team. And a lot of California schools. I did choose volleyball or riding. I miss it a lot. I’ll probably go back to it someday.

Q: For those who might not know about equestrian, how would you describe it?

A: No one really understands the culture of it, but it’s an awesome sport.

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Follow me on Twitter at Chronicle_Owls.

Joseph Duarte