Q: Who has been the most influential coach or mentor in your career? 

A: My club coach, Ann Buschur has been the most influential coach for me. She made going to practices fun and the team just felt like a family with her. She was really good at teaching what to do and not just saying it and I think that really formed me into a better player.

Q: What advice would you give to young athletes who aspire to play volleyball at a higher level?

A: I would tell them that if volleyball is something they wish to keep doing, they need to believe in their abilities and stay dedicated. You have to be all in when playing a sport, especially a team sport, so extra hours outside of practice are going to be necessary, and understanding that you won’t be able to do all of the things that non athletes do is very crucial to grasp. If you keep putting in the work, and making all of the necessary steps to becoming a better athlete, then it will all be worth it in the end.

Q: How do you mentally prepare for a game? 

A: Before games I like to do something calming. I often read a book on my phone or listen to classical music in my [car] or my headphones. Just anything to puts my mind at ease.

Q: What Inspired you to start playing volleyball? 

A: My bestfriend inspired me to play volleyball. I originally cheered and played basketball but in seventh grade I decided that maybe I should try out a new sport and I instantly loved it.

Q: How do you balance training and practicing for your sport with the other aspects of your life? 

A: I know trying to balance volleyball and my social life especially during school can get hectic sometimes, so I have to remind myself of my priorities and then also know that I need to leave time [to have] fun as well. I like to leave the weekdays to focus on school work and practices/ games, and then the weekends are when I’m able to go out with friends, family, work etc.