1 00:00:02,200 --> 00:00:05,120 Speaker 1: Hi, I'm timany Oshinsky, and this is serving Pancakes with 2 00:00:05,240 --> 00:00:08,680 Speaker 1: League One Volleyball. With the inaugural Love Season just around 3 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:11,000 Speaker 1: the corner. Over the next few weeks, we'll be following 4 00:00:11,039 --> 00:00:14,080 Speaker 1: some of the biggest women's college volleyball games featuring schools 5 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:17,000 Speaker 1: that our players attended. In today's episode, we have a 6 00:00:17,079 --> 00:00:20,400 Speaker 1: duo from Love Salt Lake head coach Tomma Mia Shiro 7 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 1: and middle blockers Serena Gray. Before we get into their interview, 8 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 1: let's recap Sunday's game featuring Serena's alma mater. Number one 9 00:00:29,480 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 1: Pittsburgh hosted number five Stanford and swept the cardinal twenty 10 00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:37,800 Speaker 1: five seventeen twenty five sixteen, twenty five twenty. The Panthers 11 00:00:37,800 --> 00:00:40,800 Speaker 1: were dominant on both sides of the ball. On defense, 12 00:00:40,800 --> 00:00:43,880 Speaker 1: they held Stanford's hitters to under one hundred, the first 13 00:00:43,920 --> 00:00:46,800 Speaker 1: time they've hit that low since twenty twenty, while racking 14 00:00:46,840 --> 00:00:51,080 Speaker 1: up thirteen blocks, two less than their season high. Olivia Babcock, 15 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,400 Speaker 1: last year's freshman Player of the Year, had another outstanding performance, 16 00:00:54,560 --> 00:00:58,920 Speaker 1: accounting for six blocks herself in seventeen kills for Stanford. 17 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:01,800 Speaker 1: Outside hitter Jordan Harvey had the big performance leading the 18 00:01:01,840 --> 00:01:05,960 Speaker 1: team with eleven kills and for the serving Pancakes pancake counter, 19 00:01:06,360 --> 00:01:09,080 Speaker 1: I just counted one very early on in the first 20 00:01:09,080 --> 00:01:15,760 Speaker 1: set by Pittsburgh setter Rachel Faerbank. Now let's get to 21 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:19,679 Speaker 1: the good stuff. Coach Tama Miashiro and Serena Gray are 22 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:22,960 Speaker 1: here now. Coach Tama is a world class player in 23 00:01:23,040 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 1: championship winning coach, having been on the staff of ALI 24 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:28,479 Speaker 1: on Stuttgart in Germany when they won their first ever 25 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:31,680 Speaker 1: Bundesliga title, as well as the US women's national team 26 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 1: staff when they won three FIVB VNL titles, gold at 27 00:01:36,440 --> 00:01:39,520 Speaker 1: the twenty twenty Olympics and silver at the twenty twenty 28 00:01:39,520 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: four Paris Olympics. Coach Tama also won silver as a 29 00:01:43,280 --> 00:01:46,400 Speaker 1: player at the twenty twelve Olympics in London and was 30 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 1: a two time national Defensive Player of the Year at 31 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 1: the University of Washington. And Serena has been a member 32 00:01:52,280 --> 00:01:54,600 Speaker 1: of the US national team, making her debut at the 33 00:01:54,600 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 1: twenty twenty three Pan American Cup, winning bronze. And Serena 34 00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 1: spent three years at Penn State before transfer to pit 35 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:04,280 Speaker 1: where she received All American honors and as I said earlier, 36 00:02:04,280 --> 00:02:06,640 Speaker 1: both of these women will be bringing their talents to 37 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:10,520 Speaker 1: Utah as coach and player of Love. Salt Lake coach 38 00:02:10,600 --> 00:02:13,959 Speaker 1: Tamas Serena, Welcome to Serving Pancakes. Thank you so much 39 00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:14,720 Speaker 1: for being here. 40 00:02:15,000 --> 00:02:17,799 Speaker 2: Thank you for having us, Tiffany, thanks for having us. 41 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:19,160 Speaker 1: Very excited to have you. 42 00:02:19,160 --> 00:02:19,240 Speaker 3: Know. 43 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:21,919 Speaker 1: Before we start, I just I'm curious where are each 44 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:22,720 Speaker 1: of you calling from. 45 00:02:22,960 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 3: I'm already in Salt Lake, so I'm pretty close to 46 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:29,440 Speaker 3: our training facility already, so I'm gear enough. 47 00:02:29,240 --> 00:02:32,240 Speaker 1: To go love it. What about you, Serena, I'm. 48 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:35,040 Speaker 2: In California right now, staying with my family and just 49 00:02:35,200 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 2: enjoying some free rent. Wow, the last time in my 50 00:02:40,240 --> 00:02:40,840 Speaker 2: adult life. 51 00:02:40,880 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 1: All right, well, Srien, I have to start with this 52 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:47,839 Speaker 1: very important question because I saw that you take care 53 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:51,040 Speaker 1: of stray cats, and since you're in California and you're 54 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:52,960 Speaker 1: gonna be going to Salt Lake soon, I have to 55 00:02:53,040 --> 00:02:55,760 Speaker 1: know because I am a crazy cat lady who is 56 00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:57,120 Speaker 1: going to be taking care of the cats. 57 00:02:57,440 --> 00:03:01,840 Speaker 2: Well right now, I know in France the Besier cats 58 00:03:01,919 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 2: are still they kind of like live in the apartment 59 00:03:05,000 --> 00:03:09,079 Speaker 2: complex that the girls live in, and so hopefully they 60 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:11,760 Speaker 2: remember some of the girls from last year. So they're 61 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:16,800 Speaker 2: being fed by them. But in the meantime, unfortunately, I 62 00:03:16,800 --> 00:03:18,520 Speaker 2: don't think I'll be able to take care of stray 63 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:21,040 Speaker 2: cats in Utah. I mean, Claire's going to be my 64 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,959 Speaker 2: roommate and I love her and I wouldn't want to 65 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:25,079 Speaker 2: be roommates with anyone else. 66 00:03:25,120 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 4: But she's allergic to cats. 67 00:03:26,520 --> 00:03:31,240 Speaker 1: And yeah, yeah, how did you choose that roommate? And 68 00:03:31,240 --> 00:03:31,840 Speaker 1: I'm just kidding. 69 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:33,040 Speaker 5: I didn't choose her. 70 00:03:35,760 --> 00:03:37,920 Speaker 4: We love honestly, she's my best friend. 71 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,920 Speaker 1: So oh that's sweet. Well, well, you know, we can 72 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:44,360 Speaker 1: maybe find a shelter in Salt Lake that we can 73 00:03:44,440 --> 00:03:46,000 Speaker 1: just give the love to the cats. 74 00:03:46,040 --> 00:03:48,880 Speaker 4: And yes, I'll find a cat cafe where I just 75 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:49,600 Speaker 4: work for free. 76 00:03:50,200 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 3: Yes, I love it. 77 00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:55,800 Speaker 1: No, coach, you are in Salt Lake already. Soon you'll 78 00:03:55,840 --> 00:03:58,080 Speaker 1: be going there soon because the start of pre season 79 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 1: is right around the corner of Salt Lake and the 80 00:04:00,880 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: rest of the league are about to get together for 81 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:05,760 Speaker 1: the first time. So starting with you, coach, what have 82 00:04:05,920 --> 00:04:07,680 Speaker 1: you been doing to prepare for the season. 83 00:04:08,040 --> 00:04:11,760 Speaker 3: Oh, that's a great question. I think first things first 84 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:15,240 Speaker 3: is just getting like the space ready for us to 85 00:04:15,280 --> 00:04:18,960 Speaker 3: train at a high level, to connect with the club 86 00:04:18,960 --> 00:04:23,000 Speaker 3: that we're training out of and just to get there 87 00:04:23,000 --> 00:04:26,280 Speaker 3: in person and meet everyone that's really going to help 88 00:04:26,360 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 3: us succeed in this first year. So those are kind 89 00:04:30,120 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 3: of the big picture things that I'm doing, and then 90 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:36,240 Speaker 3: of course getting ready for the volleyball and getting ready 91 00:04:36,279 --> 00:04:40,239 Speaker 3: to receive all the athletes and welcome them, and yeah, 92 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:42,279 Speaker 3: things are coming along. So it's been a kind of 93 00:04:42,320 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 3: a busy couple weeks, but really exciting and we're just 94 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:47,920 Speaker 3: super excited to get the girls here soon. 95 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:50,440 Speaker 1: So I saw on another podcast that you considered yourself 96 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:52,720 Speaker 1: anti social, So how are you feeling being like the 97 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:56,400 Speaker 1: face of a team in a brand new league. 98 00:04:56,760 --> 00:05:00,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, wow, I need to really watch what I say. 99 00:05:01,680 --> 00:05:03,479 Speaker 5: No, it's it's been fun. 100 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:09,040 Speaker 3: I think, even though I do sometimes consider myself antisocial, 101 00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 3: volleyball has just brought all these great people closer to me, 102 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:20,320 Speaker 3: and especially with love, like the people that are involved 103 00:05:20,320 --> 00:05:24,400 Speaker 3: in this organization. There's so much connection there, and I 104 00:05:24,400 --> 00:05:26,159 Speaker 3: think we're all here for the right reasons, and so 105 00:05:26,400 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 3: in that way, I think the support that I'm getting 106 00:05:30,080 --> 00:05:33,960 Speaker 3: is just really helping me kind of play to my strengths. 107 00:05:34,120 --> 00:05:36,920 Speaker 3: And then the things that I you know, maybe not 108 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:40,040 Speaker 3: necessarily like that much or with that much attention, I'm 109 00:05:40,160 --> 00:05:42,920 Speaker 3: I'm able to kind of like, Okay, we have other 110 00:05:42,960 --> 00:05:45,839 Speaker 3: people here too that can kind of do the same things. 111 00:05:45,920 --> 00:05:46,920 Speaker 5: And yeah, so. 112 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:50,720 Speaker 3: A little bit of delegating, I would say, but definitely 113 00:05:50,800 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 3: trying to get used to you know, you're you got 114 00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:57,599 Speaker 3: to make some pretty big decisions and I need to 115 00:05:57,600 --> 00:05:59,800 Speaker 3: rely on the people around me, and and love is 116 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:02,880 Speaker 3: has pretty much set me up for success in that way. 117 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 1: There is love from love to help you out on 118 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:08,520 Speaker 1: any second way, Srina, what about you? What are you 119 00:06:08,520 --> 00:06:09,200 Speaker 1: doing to prepare? 120 00:06:10,240 --> 00:06:12,640 Speaker 2: I've just been spending a lot of time in the gym. 121 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:15,520 Speaker 2: I feel like because I'm not being rushed before practice 122 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:18,680 Speaker 2: to finish out an hour lift in thirty minutes, I've 123 00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:22,400 Speaker 2: had the opportunity to really go heavy and for the 124 00:06:22,400 --> 00:06:24,520 Speaker 2: first time, like I actually have a gym membership, so 125 00:06:24,560 --> 00:06:26,320 Speaker 2: I have like access to like a squad rack and 126 00:06:26,400 --> 00:06:32,479 Speaker 2: everything supply metric training. And then also out of season, 127 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:35,280 Speaker 2: I'm not really a big fan of playing indoors because 128 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:38,359 Speaker 2: I don't trust people to stay on their side of 129 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:40,120 Speaker 2: the net, So I've been. 130 00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:41,440 Speaker 4: Doing a little bit of grass. 131 00:06:41,480 --> 00:06:43,680 Speaker 2: I've just been working on my all around game, making 132 00:06:43,680 --> 00:06:47,040 Speaker 2: sure I'm getting in some back road defensive repetitions and setting, 133 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 2: and then also just because this is going to be 134 00:06:49,920 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 2: a lot of change coming up in this first season 135 00:06:52,600 --> 00:06:54,719 Speaker 2: and no one's been here before. I've just been getting 136 00:06:54,720 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 2: my mind right, making sure my body's in a good spot, 137 00:06:58,680 --> 00:07:01,560 Speaker 2: my medications are where they need to be, taking my collagen, 138 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:04,719 Speaker 2: taking my supplement, just doing everything to give my body 139 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 2: and my mind the relief that I will need, and 140 00:07:08,279 --> 00:07:11,160 Speaker 2: like the comfort and like knowing I prepared, because I 141 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 2: feel like you can prepare so much physically, but I 142 00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 2: feel like, at the same time, if you don't do 143 00:07:16,440 --> 00:07:19,200 Speaker 2: what gives you the peace of mind to let you 144 00:07:19,280 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 2: know you're okay, all of those kind of like all 145 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:25,280 Speaker 2: of that physical preparation can go to waste. 146 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:29,120 Speaker 1: This idea of playing on grass instead of indoor, is 147 00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:31,080 Speaker 1: this something that's just been a superstition in your life 148 00:07:31,080 --> 00:07:33,120 Speaker 1: this whole time, like your whole volleyball career. 149 00:07:33,760 --> 00:07:39,080 Speaker 2: No, When I first got here, after like well before 150 00:07:39,120 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 2: in college, I never really played that much grass or beach. 151 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:46,200 Speaker 2: I did some, but it was mostly indoor because I 152 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:48,440 Speaker 2: was like always around the team. But now that like 153 00:07:48,520 --> 00:07:51,119 Speaker 2: training is like in my own bubble and so forth, 154 00:07:51,400 --> 00:07:57,480 Speaker 2: I've just really come to like grass and that's about it. 155 00:07:58,120 --> 00:08:02,120 Speaker 1: Yeah, I love it. Now. Coach, you have an amazing 156 00:08:02,560 --> 00:08:05,119 Speaker 1: career as a coach and a player, as I mentioned 157 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:07,040 Speaker 1: at the top, So what are some of the things 158 00:08:07,080 --> 00:08:10,400 Speaker 1: that you are bringing to this love team that you've 159 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 1: learned throughout your years. 160 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, it's a good question because I think the first 161 00:08:17,080 --> 00:08:20,640 Speaker 3: thing I'll say is that I have to be myself, 162 00:08:21,200 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 3: and so I'm hoping to kind of gather and just 163 00:08:25,920 --> 00:08:28,600 Speaker 3: reflect on like all these different programs that I've been 164 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:32,080 Speaker 3: a part of and kind of take some of those 165 00:08:32,120 --> 00:08:35,840 Speaker 3: things and hopefully implement them with our team. But at 166 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:39,240 Speaker 3: the same time, like I want this to feel like 167 00:08:39,320 --> 00:08:43,200 Speaker 3: its own thing and for our athletes, you know, like 168 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:44,920 Speaker 3: Serena to have a say in some of the things 169 00:08:44,920 --> 00:08:48,920 Speaker 3: that we're doing, because I think if if they're involved 170 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:52,480 Speaker 3: in some of those things that we have to make 171 00:08:52,520 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 3: decision john those processes, like it's just gonna be better 172 00:08:55,640 --> 00:08:58,800 Speaker 3: for everyone. And so I hope to kind of find 173 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:02,520 Speaker 3: a blend of those two things. And then also just lastly, 174 00:09:02,559 --> 00:09:06,160 Speaker 3: it's like they're so happy that they're in the States 175 00:09:06,679 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 3: and they're having this opportunity, and so we get to 176 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:13,840 Speaker 3: learn from all the different places that we've played, and 177 00:09:13,960 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 3: so almost taking some of that into consideration and some 178 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 3: of the things that we're really strategically doing as a 179 00:09:21,320 --> 00:09:26,280 Speaker 3: league to help the athletes succeed honestly in this season, 180 00:09:26,360 --> 00:09:28,920 Speaker 3: but more in life. And so I think that's always 181 00:09:28,960 --> 00:09:32,640 Speaker 3: going to be part of the decisions too, and hopefully 182 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 3: we could find some really good balance and just knowing 183 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:39,480 Speaker 3: how excited people are right now, it helps a ton 184 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:42,439 Speaker 3: and it's kind of given us that push to start 185 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:44,720 Speaker 3: off strong, and it'll give us a push in the 186 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:47,360 Speaker 3: middle of the season too, when we're traveling a ton 187 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:50,440 Speaker 3: and we're playing, you know, every so often. So those 188 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:53,120 Speaker 3: are probably the first couple of things that look to 189 00:09:53,160 --> 00:09:53,840 Speaker 3: implement now. 190 00:09:53,920 --> 00:09:56,400 Speaker 1: Srian, I saw you nodding when Tomas said playing in 191 00:09:56,440 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 1: the States. How excited are you to be playing here 192 00:09:58,800 --> 00:10:01,440 Speaker 1: in the States in front of your family, friends, everybody? 193 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:07,280 Speaker 2: There is absolutely nowhere I'd rather play This past year overseas, 194 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:10,760 Speaker 2: I just missed my pit teammates so much, and I 195 00:10:10,840 --> 00:10:12,880 Speaker 2: missed some of my Penn State teammates, and I missed 196 00:10:13,160 --> 00:10:15,240 Speaker 2: for the first time in like six years, my club 197 00:10:15,280 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 2: teammates who I had. 198 00:10:16,160 --> 00:10:17,719 Speaker 4: Some of them I haven't thought about in a. 199 00:10:17,640 --> 00:10:20,360 Speaker 2: Long time, and I just realized there's a really big 200 00:10:20,400 --> 00:10:24,400 Speaker 2: difference between the American culture surrounding volleyball and overseas, and 201 00:10:24,440 --> 00:10:27,719 Speaker 2: like the style of play, like coverage, cheering on your 202 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:29,600 Speaker 2: teammates on the bench, and there were just like so 203 00:10:29,760 --> 00:10:33,760 Speaker 2: many of those like little nuances that just have me 204 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:38,559 Speaker 2: absolutely like yearning to play on American soil again. 205 00:10:38,760 --> 00:10:40,800 Speaker 1: What is the difference in the culture. I mean, both 206 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:43,560 Speaker 1: of you have been overseas and seen it, so what 207 00:10:43,640 --> 00:10:44,120 Speaker 1: is it like? 208 00:10:44,960 --> 00:10:47,840 Speaker 2: I would say, one thing that's kind of surprised me 209 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:51,600 Speaker 2: was even though you're playing on a professional level and 210 00:10:51,640 --> 00:10:56,520 Speaker 2: everyone's like a professional, you expect everyone to kind of 211 00:10:56,600 --> 00:11:01,319 Speaker 2: like coach each other. But I very quickly realized that 212 00:11:01,320 --> 00:11:04,240 Speaker 2: that is not the normal. The coach does the coaching, 213 00:11:04,840 --> 00:11:09,960 Speaker 2: and it can be kind of like condescending or disrespectful 214 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:12,560 Speaker 2: just to tell someone like what you see like on 215 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:15,960 Speaker 2: the court. And I know in the US agent it's 216 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 2: like completely different, like timeouts, everyone's talking to everyone, everyone's 217 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 2: in their position group. But that was definitely something like 218 00:11:22,400 --> 00:11:26,640 Speaker 2: I had to take a step back from and just 219 00:11:26,720 --> 00:11:29,440 Speaker 2: allow the professionals to figure things out on their own 220 00:11:29,520 --> 00:11:37,480 Speaker 2: and kind of really solicit feedback from the girls that 221 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,760 Speaker 2: were comfortable giving it. So that was a big thing 222 00:11:41,240 --> 00:11:45,040 Speaker 2: to be constantly like asking for information instead of somebody 223 00:11:45,120 --> 00:11:48,199 Speaker 2: just being like, hey, like your left hand is like open, 224 00:11:48,400 --> 00:11:51,079 Speaker 2: like you're totally giving away the cross court when you're blocking. 225 00:11:51,480 --> 00:11:52,960 Speaker 2: So just stuff like that. 226 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:57,040 Speaker 1: This is where the collaborative effort comes in, right coach, Yeah. 227 00:11:56,920 --> 00:12:01,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, exactly, exactly, just to I don't know, piggyback what 228 00:12:01,559 --> 00:12:07,839 Speaker 3: Serena said, there's a collaboration factor. I think that no 229 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:11,080 Speaker 3: matter how or actually where you are in the world, 230 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:15,120 Speaker 3: I think today's athlete is hungry to be a part 231 00:12:15,120 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 3: of the process. And so just how society is and 232 00:12:19,880 --> 00:12:22,920 Speaker 3: all the things that we're kind of into these days, 233 00:12:22,679 --> 00:12:25,160 Speaker 3: it's to me it's a little bit of a natural 234 00:12:25,360 --> 00:12:30,400 Speaker 3: step in like, Okay, they're the ones that are on 235 00:12:30,520 --> 00:12:33,240 Speaker 3: the court when it's time to make some big decisions, 236 00:12:33,280 --> 00:12:36,360 Speaker 3: you know, and so why not connect that a little 237 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:39,560 Speaker 3: bit closer and quicker to how we train and some 238 00:12:39,640 --> 00:12:42,280 Speaker 3: of the decisions that they you know, that they're educated 239 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:43,360 Speaker 3: to help us with. 240 00:12:43,440 --> 00:12:45,080 Speaker 5: So I think that part is huge. 241 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:48,520 Speaker 3: And you know, I will say like overseas, there's there's 242 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 3: a good system there because it's it's obvious there are 243 00:12:52,040 --> 00:12:55,400 Speaker 3: some really good leagues, and so I think they've kind 244 00:12:55,400 --> 00:12:57,840 Speaker 3: of set some foundations for us and maybe the standard. 245 00:12:57,880 --> 00:13:01,080 Speaker 3: And then my hope is that we can continue to 246 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 3: grow as coaches and athletes in a league together where 247 00:13:05,160 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 3: it's like, okay, I think we can include the players 248 00:13:08,240 --> 00:13:11,080 Speaker 3: in some of it and listen to them and really 249 00:13:11,480 --> 00:13:15,000 Speaker 3: almost shape this league and hopefully the culture on each 250 00:13:15,080 --> 00:13:19,360 Speaker 3: team so that we can really rely on all this expertise, 251 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 3: because I think it'd be a shame for me to 252 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:24,560 Speaker 3: not talk too serene about what it feels like to 253 00:13:24,559 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 3: be a bit of blocker. That would be a shame 254 00:13:26,679 --> 00:13:29,520 Speaker 3: to just tell her what to do all the time. 255 00:13:29,640 --> 00:13:33,800 Speaker 3: So that's like, that's a big thing, not necessarily good 256 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:35,319 Speaker 3: or bad, but I think there's a little bit of 257 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:37,920 Speaker 3: a difference, and I'm hoping we can continue kind of 258 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:41,040 Speaker 3: moving in that direction for sure. 259 00:13:41,040 --> 00:13:43,319 Speaker 1: I now, you guys obviously know each other because you're 260 00:13:43,360 --> 00:13:45,960 Speaker 1: both part of the US women's national team. Also on 261 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:48,480 Speaker 1: Team Salt Lake. You got Tojurin Polter and Haley Washington, 262 00:13:48,520 --> 00:13:50,360 Speaker 1: who are in the Olympics with Utah, and you guys 263 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:54,400 Speaker 1: won wanted silver this year and actually in gold previously. 264 00:13:55,440 --> 00:13:59,120 Speaker 1: But do you consider this an advantage because you have 265 00:13:59,240 --> 00:14:01,320 Speaker 1: been coaching a lot of these women already. 266 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:04,320 Speaker 3: You know, It's it's pretty cool, Like I know a 267 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:08,400 Speaker 3: bunch of our girls, and I'm just genuinely excited. I think, 268 00:14:09,120 --> 00:14:11,840 Speaker 3: you know, this will probably sound cliche, but I'm just 269 00:14:11,880 --> 00:14:15,160 Speaker 3: genuinely excited because all these girls are great people and 270 00:14:15,280 --> 00:14:18,520 Speaker 3: they're just the things that they stand for and that 271 00:14:18,559 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 3: they fight for is really exciting just to have like 272 00:14:21,400 --> 00:14:23,960 Speaker 3: on a team, let alone like with League one, and 273 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 3: so I just I kind of find myself feeling just 274 00:14:27,880 --> 00:14:31,280 Speaker 3: really grateful to have worked with such a good amount 275 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:33,720 Speaker 3: of good percentage of the team beforehand. 276 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 5: And then I you know, that kind of. 277 00:14:37,360 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 3: Introduction, we're a little past that, and then we can 278 00:14:40,400 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 3: kind of dive in. And of course we do need 279 00:14:43,480 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 3: some new kids, like we want that, we want a 280 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:49,080 Speaker 3: new face or new faces on the team. And so yeah, 281 00:14:49,280 --> 00:14:52,480 Speaker 3: I would say maybe a little bit of an advantage. 282 00:14:52,480 --> 00:14:55,080 Speaker 3: But at the same time, like these girls are used 283 00:14:55,080 --> 00:14:57,680 Speaker 3: to jumping on a team and playing for a different 284 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:01,040 Speaker 3: coach and then just dialing it in pretty quickly, so. 285 00:15:01,200 --> 00:15:03,840 Speaker 5: Hopefully it's an advantage for us. And at the. 286 00:15:03,840 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 3: Same time, these girls, these girls have been through a 287 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 3: lot like all these girls in the league that have 288 00:15:08,880 --> 00:15:12,360 Speaker 3: played a lot of years, a lot of seasons, so 289 00:15:12,680 --> 00:15:14,360 Speaker 3: they'll have their strategies too. 290 00:15:14,480 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 1: Serena, what went through your mind when you heard that 291 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 1: coach Tama was gonna be your head coach in Salt Lake? 292 00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:20,840 Speaker 4: Oh, I thought it was a perfect fit. 293 00:15:21,560 --> 00:15:26,000 Speaker 2: Like I was definitely a little surprised I got placed 294 00:15:26,000 --> 00:15:28,960 Speaker 2: on the Salt Lake team just because the star studied 295 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:32,480 Speaker 2: with Haley Washington, Jordan Polter, and then a bunch of 296 00:15:32,480 --> 00:15:36,000 Speaker 2: other girls that I've been in the USA gym. But 297 00:15:36,160 --> 00:15:40,000 Speaker 2: I think definitely going from a really intense like coach 298 00:15:40,360 --> 00:15:43,840 Speaker 2: overseas and going to Tama where like, hey, when she 299 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:46,400 Speaker 2: like gives me feedback, I can actually like understand what 300 00:15:46,440 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 2: she's saying because she's not at like two hundred decibels, 301 00:15:49,560 --> 00:15:51,680 Speaker 2: I was like, Okay, that's gonna be great, you know. 302 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:57,760 Speaker 2: And then just like the language barrier was a difficulty. 303 00:15:57,880 --> 00:16:01,320 Speaker 2: So I'm really glad to have a co that once 304 00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 2: like speaks English like is their first language, and then 305 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:09,040 Speaker 2: two also is within the USA system because then that's 306 00:16:09,080 --> 00:16:11,040 Speaker 2: a lot of language and like the same system that 307 00:16:11,080 --> 00:16:14,360 Speaker 2: I'm being taught like over the summer, and then being 308 00:16:14,360 --> 00:16:18,080 Speaker 2: able to like, bring that into our Salt Lake City team. 309 00:16:18,080 --> 00:16:20,840 Speaker 2: It's just going to be a very cohesive thing. 310 00:16:21,080 --> 00:16:36,680 Speaker 1: I think the Serena I read that you fell in 311 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:40,640 Speaker 1: love with volleyball watching the twenty twelve Summer Olympics. So 312 00:16:40,680 --> 00:16:43,520 Speaker 1: can you take us back to that year? What was 313 00:16:43,560 --> 00:16:46,320 Speaker 1: going through your mind? Tell me what was it about 314 00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:48,240 Speaker 1: the sport that made you fall in love with it? 315 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 2: I actually like don't remember too much. Yeah, I'm sorry, Tom. 316 00:16:55,400 --> 00:16:59,160 Speaker 2: I only remember one player from that team, and I 317 00:16:59,240 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 2: just remember like hearing Destiny Hooker's name over and over, 318 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:05,160 Speaker 2: and I just remember thinking, Wow, she's the most powerful, 319 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:09,679 Speaker 2: strongest person on the court. And I'm volleyball is just 320 00:17:09,720 --> 00:17:12,760 Speaker 2: like exciting to watch, Like it's fast paced. Timeouts are sure, 321 00:17:13,119 --> 00:17:14,960 Speaker 2: there's a bunch of cheering, and you watch it live, 322 00:17:15,080 --> 00:17:18,119 Speaker 2: you can hear everyone's oos, like every time there's a 323 00:17:18,119 --> 00:17:21,159 Speaker 2: spike or a dig. So I think that's probably what 324 00:17:21,240 --> 00:17:23,359 Speaker 2: drew me to it, though I can't say for sure. 325 00:17:23,480 --> 00:17:24,960 Speaker 2: I could have just been like eating a bowl of 326 00:17:25,040 --> 00:17:27,280 Speaker 2: cereal in front of the TV, and it was. 327 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:34,520 Speaker 1: You're so busy watching. You're so busy watching, like the powerful, 328 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:37,159 Speaker 1: insane hits and there's Tama back there just like, yeah, bamn, 329 00:17:37,240 --> 00:17:42,240 Speaker 1: I'm like, what up, coach? How about you? What made 330 00:17:42,280 --> 00:17:43,240 Speaker 1: you fall in love with the sport? 331 00:17:43,560 --> 00:17:47,800 Speaker 3: Well, first, I was introduced to volleyball just from my family. 332 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:51,760 Speaker 3: My mom and sister and cousins played, and it was 333 00:17:51,840 --> 00:17:56,199 Speaker 3: just always around. But I think the honest answer is 334 00:17:56,240 --> 00:17:58,520 Speaker 3: I actually played a ton of sports growing up, but 335 00:17:58,560 --> 00:18:01,080 Speaker 3: then at some point it game time where I didn't 336 00:18:01,080 --> 00:18:03,919 Speaker 3: like to run that much, so I chose volleyball. And 337 00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 3: then I actually like still played basketball in high school, 338 00:18:07,680 --> 00:18:11,440 Speaker 3: but it helped me stay in shape, so I was 339 00:18:11,480 --> 00:18:15,520 Speaker 3: actually really appreciative of it. But definitely the team aspect 340 00:18:16,080 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 3: and just like creating some friendships through the sport, and 341 00:18:22,200 --> 00:18:25,560 Speaker 3: some of my best friends are my team were my teammates, 342 00:18:27,040 --> 00:18:30,480 Speaker 3: you know, whenever that was college or with a nactional team. 343 00:18:30,600 --> 00:18:33,639 Speaker 3: So it's yeah, I think for me a lot about 344 00:18:33,640 --> 00:18:39,639 Speaker 3: relationships and teamwork and just trying to get you know, 345 00:18:39,880 --> 00:18:45,240 Speaker 3: a group of fourteen people moving towards the same mission. 346 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:49,199 Speaker 3: That's like such an interesting part of team sports for 347 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:52,119 Speaker 3: me that I love, you know, really watching any sport, 348 00:18:52,160 --> 00:18:53,879 Speaker 3: but that's definitely why I chose volleyball. 349 00:18:53,920 --> 00:18:55,639 Speaker 1: Did you know that you wanted to go into coaching 350 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:56,119 Speaker 1: you know. 351 00:18:56,680 --> 00:18:58,840 Speaker 3: I sometimes it's kind of blurry for me because my 352 00:18:58,880 --> 00:19:01,159 Speaker 3: parents are both coaches, and so I think I went 353 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:05,399 Speaker 3: through phases of like, oh, coaching would be cool, and 354 00:19:05,480 --> 00:19:09,919 Speaker 3: then after you played a couple of years professionally, sometimes 355 00:19:09,920 --> 00:19:12,480 Speaker 3: you hit that point where you're like, is there other 356 00:19:12,560 --> 00:19:15,080 Speaker 3: things in the world, you know, because you get so 357 00:19:15,280 --> 00:19:18,479 Speaker 3: tunnel vision, and so I think for a pre second 358 00:19:18,480 --> 00:19:20,480 Speaker 3: I was like, oh, maybe I could do something else, 359 00:19:21,280 --> 00:19:23,719 Speaker 3: and then it actually just came back to like, I 360 00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:27,520 Speaker 3: really want to be around the sport. So the coaches 361 00:19:27,560 --> 00:19:32,439 Speaker 3: that I had were so impactful, and that's probably the 362 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:35,720 Speaker 3: number one reason why I even dabbled into coaching to 363 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:36,320 Speaker 3: begin with. 364 00:19:36,840 --> 00:19:41,320 Speaker 1: It's worked out very well for you. I must say, Serena, 365 00:19:41,400 --> 00:19:43,240 Speaker 1: did you play any other sports before volleyball? 366 00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:46,600 Speaker 2: I did, like lessons at a community center, so I 367 00:19:46,640 --> 00:19:50,000 Speaker 2: did like tennis. Oh, I did play softball like a 368 00:19:50,000 --> 00:19:53,760 Speaker 2: full league, and that was really fun. But then you 369 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:55,720 Speaker 2: hit that one age. I'm sure a lot of athletes 370 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:57,920 Speaker 2: have felt this before, where you just like keep growing 371 00:19:58,040 --> 00:20:01,080 Speaker 2: and growing and growing and then you I can't catch up, 372 00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:04,000 Speaker 2: and then you're like, Okay, the ball's coming at me differently. 373 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:05,919 Speaker 2: Oh my arms are longer now like I don't know 374 00:20:05,960 --> 00:20:10,040 Speaker 2: how to swing, so I just kind of naturally fell 375 00:20:10,080 --> 00:20:13,840 Speaker 2: into volleyball at the perfect time. But I love softball, 376 00:20:13,880 --> 00:20:16,120 Speaker 2: but I did not like getting hit by the ball 377 00:20:16,160 --> 00:20:18,200 Speaker 2: in the shins because the ground was so far from 378 00:20:18,200 --> 00:20:21,000 Speaker 2: me to bend over and get it, so just hit 379 00:20:21,080 --> 00:20:23,600 Speaker 2: my shins and now there's dents. 380 00:20:24,720 --> 00:20:27,520 Speaker 1: Well, speaking about growing, because I'm only five three, so 381 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:30,560 Speaker 1: I didn't grow very far. But I loved to hit. 382 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 1: When I was in high school. I was one of 383 00:20:32,640 --> 00:20:35,560 Speaker 1: like the top outside hitters in my school when I played, 384 00:20:36,400 --> 00:20:39,399 Speaker 1: but obviously being five to three, when I played club 385 00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:42,640 Speaker 1: and wanted to go to college, I couldn't get recruited 386 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:46,159 Speaker 1: as an outside hitter, so I switched to libero defensive specialist. 387 00:20:46,760 --> 00:20:49,600 Speaker 1: But I got to ask, as Serena All American middle 388 00:20:49,680 --> 00:20:53,119 Speaker 1: hitter middle blocker, Tama, you were All American Libero, do 389 00:20:53,200 --> 00:20:57,760 Speaker 1: you guys wish or like miss playing the other side 390 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:00,280 Speaker 1: like Serena as you wish that you were digging, and Toma, 391 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:01,200 Speaker 1: do you wish you were hitting? 392 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:05,639 Speaker 2: I definitely wish I got more opportunities to dig. I mean, 393 00:21:05,680 --> 00:21:07,600 Speaker 2: I can an opportunity when I go back to serve. 394 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:12,760 Speaker 2: But I love some defense I really did I get 395 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:15,240 Speaker 2: on the floor really well, you'd be surprised. 396 00:21:15,080 --> 00:21:18,000 Speaker 5: Confirmed, you know. 397 00:21:18,520 --> 00:21:22,159 Speaker 3: I It's so interesting because I remember thinking or telling 398 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:24,639 Speaker 3: someone before like, oh man, I just wish I was 399 00:21:24,720 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 3: like two inches taller, and then the person was like, 400 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:31,480 Speaker 3: you should be happy with what you have or something 401 00:21:31,480 --> 00:21:33,960 Speaker 3: like that, and I was like, okay, well, I just like, 402 00:21:34,119 --> 00:21:36,520 Speaker 3: you know, I wouldn't mind a couple more inches. But 403 00:21:36,720 --> 00:21:40,320 Speaker 3: I actually was announced hitter in high school because the 404 00:21:40,800 --> 00:21:43,199 Speaker 3: high school I went to is I was like the 405 00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:44,960 Speaker 3: second tallest at five four. 406 00:21:45,600 --> 00:21:45,800 Speaker 1: Wow. 407 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:48,879 Speaker 3: So yeah, so we're I got to do. I got 408 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:51,119 Speaker 3: to play front row and do all the things. But 409 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:52,720 Speaker 3: I think I had my fix. 410 00:21:53,200 --> 00:21:53,400 Speaker 5: Yeah. 411 00:21:53,480 --> 00:21:56,440 Speaker 3: I just I really liked playing defense and I really 412 00:21:56,480 --> 00:21:57,080 Speaker 3: liked passing. 413 00:21:57,119 --> 00:21:59,800 Speaker 1: So I saw someone right or replied to one of 414 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:05,040 Speaker 1: your Instagram post saying, Kaimuki middle three year starter? Did 415 00:22:05,080 --> 00:22:05,960 Speaker 1: you play middle two? 416 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:08,639 Speaker 5: No? No, that was that's the name of the school 417 00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:09,639 Speaker 5: was Kaimiky Middle. 418 00:22:09,960 --> 00:22:13,040 Speaker 1: Oh okay, I was like middle three years starter. Let's 419 00:22:13,119 --> 00:22:13,600 Speaker 1: go girl. 420 00:22:15,119 --> 00:22:18,560 Speaker 3: No, there's the only time I played middle guys is 421 00:22:18,600 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 3: like in high school. 422 00:22:20,119 --> 00:22:21,720 Speaker 5: I don't know how I ended up in the middle 423 00:22:21,760 --> 00:22:24,600 Speaker 5: in one match. And that was back in the day. 424 00:22:24,640 --> 00:22:24,960 Speaker 4: Serena. 425 00:22:25,080 --> 00:22:28,159 Speaker 3: So you know, we were setting some two balls so 426 00:22:28,960 --> 00:22:32,679 Speaker 3: I I could I had pretty good control so I 427 00:22:32,720 --> 00:22:34,240 Speaker 3: could hit a bunch of different shots. 428 00:22:34,280 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 5: But yeah, no, that. 429 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:38,480 Speaker 3: Was That was my middle school teacher and he was 430 00:22:38,520 --> 00:22:42,359 Speaker 3: our coach, and I got to it was like like 431 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:45,560 Speaker 3: a school team, and yeah we were I think we 432 00:22:45,600 --> 00:22:47,960 Speaker 3: even played like everyone rotated and everyone set for the 433 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:49,080 Speaker 3: middle or something. 434 00:22:49,960 --> 00:22:54,119 Speaker 1: Oh, I remember those days we went when I was 435 00:22:54,119 --> 00:22:57,600 Speaker 1: in fourth, fifth and sixth grade, we used to play 436 00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:02,840 Speaker 1: volleyball in the gym during winter when it was you know, freezing, 437 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:04,639 Speaker 1: we could go outside for recess because I grew up 438 00:23:04,640 --> 00:23:07,960 Speaker 1: in Pennsylvania and we used to play nine on the 439 00:23:07,960 --> 00:23:10,840 Speaker 1: court and you would rotate as a snake. Did you 440 00:23:10,840 --> 00:23:11,760 Speaker 1: guys ever have to do that? 441 00:23:12,040 --> 00:23:13,199 Speaker 5: No? But I want to do that. 442 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:18,760 Speaker 2: I've seen the videos of nine person volleyball with four blockers. 443 00:23:18,800 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 2: I was actually it was just on my Explore page yesterday. 444 00:23:21,320 --> 00:23:23,600 Speaker 2: So I want to give it a try. 445 00:23:26,359 --> 00:23:30,280 Speaker 1: There are a lot of amazing programs out there, you know, 446 00:23:30,359 --> 00:23:34,679 Speaker 1: lots of different coaching philosophies, lots of different atmospheres for 447 00:23:35,200 --> 00:23:38,360 Speaker 1: college students to go to. When it comes to deciding 448 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:41,760 Speaker 1: where to go to school. Obviously, Tommy went to Washington, Serena, 449 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:44,840 Speaker 1: you started at Penn State went to pitt So for 450 00:23:45,280 --> 00:23:47,639 Speaker 1: the girls out there who are looking to make this 451 00:23:47,760 --> 00:23:49,960 Speaker 1: next step to the college level, what advice do you 452 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:53,919 Speaker 1: have for when it comes to choosing which program to 453 00:23:53,960 --> 00:23:55,239 Speaker 1: go to and which school to go to. 454 00:23:55,600 --> 00:23:58,199 Speaker 2: I think for me when I'm hearing a lot of 455 00:23:58,240 --> 00:24:01,480 Speaker 2: girls say, But then also something I wish I prioritize 456 00:24:02,480 --> 00:24:04,960 Speaker 2: when I was fifteen years old and making this decision 457 00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:09,160 Speaker 2: was to go to the program where you'd be happy 458 00:24:09,359 --> 00:24:13,600 Speaker 2: to see the same people every day, because I think 459 00:24:13,720 --> 00:24:16,840 Speaker 2: people think, like, yeah, like volleyball and then I'm gonna 460 00:24:16,840 --> 00:24:19,200 Speaker 2: have my school and my social life. But like volleyball 461 00:24:19,440 --> 00:24:22,240 Speaker 2: is like seventy percent of your life, Like you're practically 462 00:24:22,280 --> 00:24:24,440 Speaker 2: living with these people, Like you see these people more 463 00:24:24,480 --> 00:24:28,919 Speaker 2: than your roommates, like if your roommates are non sports people. 464 00:24:29,359 --> 00:24:33,560 Speaker 2: So yeah, I think that's one. Like obviously there's like 465 00:24:33,640 --> 00:24:37,480 Speaker 2: the academic stuff, the how what's the coaching staff like record, 466 00:24:37,520 --> 00:24:40,320 Speaker 2: like what do the players say about them? But I 467 00:24:40,320 --> 00:24:44,040 Speaker 2: think that's something that should definitely be taken seriously. 468 00:24:44,440 --> 00:24:46,639 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think that's such a good one because I 469 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:51,600 Speaker 3: don't know, I think that fit at least going into 470 00:24:51,960 --> 00:24:55,120 Speaker 3: school just kind of prioritizing, like what do you want 471 00:24:55,119 --> 00:24:56,200 Speaker 3: this experience. 472 00:24:55,760 --> 00:24:57,760 Speaker 5: To be about if it were a perfect world. Now 473 00:24:57,840 --> 00:24:58,879 Speaker 5: it's not a perfect world. 474 00:24:58,920 --> 00:25:01,880 Speaker 3: So I could get to the school and things change 475 00:25:01,880 --> 00:25:04,080 Speaker 3: a little bit, but at least starting off doing your homework. 476 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:07,440 Speaker 3: But like Serena's talking about just the fit of the 477 00:25:07,760 --> 00:25:12,439 Speaker 3: program and the people there. And I think almost like 478 00:25:13,440 --> 00:25:15,520 Speaker 3: even with all these things that are happening in the 479 00:25:15,520 --> 00:25:18,240 Speaker 3: college world. And I will be the first to say 480 00:25:18,480 --> 00:25:21,000 Speaker 3: I haven't coached college, but just from what I'm hearing 481 00:25:21,040 --> 00:25:25,080 Speaker 3: as well, that's important because number one, you're playing a 482 00:25:25,119 --> 00:25:27,960 Speaker 3: ton of matches, you're traveling, Like you said, how much 483 00:25:28,359 --> 00:25:30,280 Speaker 3: of the day you're spent with your team, you know, 484 00:25:30,720 --> 00:25:34,520 Speaker 3: and you're just kind of grinding through. And yes, it's fun, 485 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:36,960 Speaker 3: but it is a grind to be a student athlete, 486 00:25:36,960 --> 00:25:40,600 Speaker 3: and especially today with like some of these schedules I'm seeing, 487 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:44,159 Speaker 3: you know, it's pretty tough. So I think that's a 488 00:25:44,359 --> 00:25:45,520 Speaker 3: really good place to start. 489 00:25:45,720 --> 00:25:47,919 Speaker 1: And you also have to start marketing yourself, which is 490 00:25:47,960 --> 00:25:51,080 Speaker 1: a whole other world with the nil Yeah, do you 491 00:25:51,119 --> 00:25:54,080 Speaker 1: wish that you lived in that world, Serena. 492 00:25:54,520 --> 00:25:58,959 Speaker 2: I did a little bit. I had like two years 493 00:25:59,000 --> 00:26:02,040 Speaker 2: where I have had opportunities to do NIL stuff and 494 00:26:02,040 --> 00:26:04,919 Speaker 2: I wish I had taken advantage of it. I didn't, 495 00:26:05,040 --> 00:26:07,440 Speaker 2: but I'm educating myself on it now and kind of 496 00:26:07,520 --> 00:26:09,960 Speaker 2: learning about different ways to connect with brands that like 497 00:26:10,000 --> 00:26:13,800 Speaker 2: align with my values. Yeah, but I'm curious to know 498 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:16,680 Speaker 2: what direction Tama would have gone if she was looking 499 00:26:16,720 --> 00:26:18,080 Speaker 2: for some NIL deals. 500 00:26:18,280 --> 00:26:19,800 Speaker 1: Oh yeah, what do you say? 501 00:26:21,880 --> 00:26:22,760 Speaker 5: Probably like food? 502 00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:25,520 Speaker 1: I love it. 503 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:27,040 Speaker 5: Yeah. 504 00:26:27,320 --> 00:26:30,840 Speaker 3: I see some of the things and I'm like, man, 505 00:26:30,880 --> 00:26:33,919 Speaker 3: I couldn't even even if I was wanted to do 506 00:26:33,960 --> 00:26:35,960 Speaker 3: a commercial like that would not be my thing. 507 00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:38,160 Speaker 5: But yeah, probably food. 508 00:26:38,200 --> 00:26:42,040 Speaker 3: I wouldn't even say like apparel because sometimes you get 509 00:26:42,800 --> 00:26:45,360 Speaker 3: linked up with that and you can't even wear it. 510 00:26:45,480 --> 00:26:47,800 Speaker 2: And so yeah, because when you travel, you have to 511 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:48,840 Speaker 2: be in team stuff. 512 00:27:02,960 --> 00:27:07,000 Speaker 1: Serena, when you were in college, I read also that 513 00:27:07,080 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 1: you kind of lost your love of the game. To 514 00:27:09,720 --> 00:27:12,920 Speaker 1: talk about that time period and what brought you. 515 00:27:12,920 --> 00:27:20,040 Speaker 2: Back, Yeah, well it was very, very tough. At one point, 516 00:27:20,160 --> 00:27:24,240 Speaker 2: I was meeting like once a week with my academic 517 00:27:24,280 --> 00:27:27,399 Speaker 2: advisor and telling her to swear to secrecy not to 518 00:27:27,440 --> 00:27:29,600 Speaker 2: tell anyone that I was thinking about just becoming a 519 00:27:29,600 --> 00:27:33,160 Speaker 2: regular student. And we started looking for different scholarships and 520 00:27:33,359 --> 00:27:35,400 Speaker 2: financial routes just because I was an out of state 521 00:27:35,440 --> 00:27:38,400 Speaker 2: student and I couldn't and my family could not afford 522 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:44,320 Speaker 2: a Penn State tuition, So it was there were a 523 00:27:44,359 --> 00:27:47,919 Speaker 2: couple of times where so I was cool with like 524 00:27:47,960 --> 00:27:50,200 Speaker 2: all the managers at Penn State, Like we hung out 525 00:27:50,200 --> 00:27:54,720 Speaker 2: outside of volleyball, and I really am so appreciated appreciative 526 00:27:54,760 --> 00:27:57,560 Speaker 2: of them, but like I would just like walk there's 527 00:27:57,600 --> 00:28:01,399 Speaker 2: this like four minute walk from the locker room to 528 00:28:01,760 --> 00:28:04,520 Speaker 2: the gym, and I would just like have my entire 529 00:28:04,640 --> 00:28:08,360 Speaker 2: day on my face, like all my stress about like 530 00:28:08,840 --> 00:28:11,679 Speaker 2: not performing well in volleyball, like my body's doing this 531 00:28:12,000 --> 00:28:15,320 Speaker 2: and I'm not how I used to be. And there 532 00:28:15,400 --> 00:28:19,200 Speaker 2: was just like a bunch of negative energy surrounding volleyball, 533 00:28:20,560 --> 00:28:23,640 Speaker 2: and a couple of the managers like took me outside 534 00:28:23,680 --> 00:28:25,800 Speaker 2: and we're just like hey, like you just seem like 535 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:27,679 Speaker 2: really down, like what's going on? And I would just 536 00:28:27,720 --> 00:28:30,960 Speaker 2: like break down in front of them. And I'm really 537 00:28:31,000 --> 00:28:34,760 Speaker 2: appreciative that they were able to see that something wasn't right, 538 00:28:34,840 --> 00:28:38,320 Speaker 2: because I feel like that's when I really took a 539 00:28:38,320 --> 00:28:42,040 Speaker 2: second to like reanalyze and like started talking to my 540 00:28:42,080 --> 00:28:45,440 Speaker 2: guidance counselor and my guidance counselor, my academic advisor and 541 00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:50,160 Speaker 2: started thinking about options, and ultimately it was just like 542 00:28:50,160 --> 00:28:52,920 Speaker 2: a realization like oh my gosh, Like I'm an adult, 543 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:55,160 Speaker 2: Like I'm twenty years old. I have free will, Like 544 00:28:55,320 --> 00:28:57,720 Speaker 2: if I don't like something, like why am I gonna 545 00:28:57,800 --> 00:29:00,960 Speaker 2: keep doing it? And I thought, hey, like I'll give 546 00:29:01,000 --> 00:29:03,480 Speaker 2: it one more shot. So I decided to enter the 547 00:29:03,520 --> 00:29:09,160 Speaker 2: transfer portal and I ended up meeting so many great players, 548 00:29:09,320 --> 00:29:11,240 Speaker 2: coaching staff. There were so many schools that, like I 549 00:29:11,280 --> 00:29:15,080 Speaker 2: wish I could go to. But ultimately it just kind 550 00:29:15,080 --> 00:29:19,600 Speaker 2: of like reinvigorated my excitement for volleyball, like seeing these 551 00:29:19,640 --> 00:29:22,600 Speaker 2: other girls like in their summer practices and like meeting 552 00:29:22,920 --> 00:29:25,360 Speaker 2: with the other coaches and hearing about their systems. It 553 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:28,240 Speaker 2: just like kind of there was this new curiosity in 554 00:29:28,280 --> 00:29:30,600 Speaker 2: this new outlook on the game, which like I hadn't 555 00:29:30,600 --> 00:29:33,920 Speaker 2: felt in a long time. And then I ended up 556 00:29:34,000 --> 00:29:36,400 Speaker 2: going to Pitt and then I just fell in love 557 00:29:36,440 --> 00:29:39,240 Speaker 2: with it more and more. Yeah, that was about it. 558 00:29:39,640 --> 00:29:42,280 Speaker 1: And when you were in pit, I mean, they you 559 00:29:42,320 --> 00:29:44,200 Speaker 1: guys are really good, but now you get to see 560 00:29:44,200 --> 00:29:46,239 Speaker 1: them and they're number one in the country first time 561 00:29:46,280 --> 00:29:49,000 Speaker 1: ever in school history. What's going through your mind when 562 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:49,640 Speaker 1: you get to see that? 563 00:29:50,400 --> 00:29:51,120 Speaker 4: Oh my gosh. 564 00:29:51,240 --> 00:29:54,200 Speaker 2: I am just so freaking proud of them. Like I 565 00:29:54,280 --> 00:29:57,680 Speaker 2: have to keep myself calm about texting them because after 566 00:29:59,000 --> 00:30:02,280 Speaker 2: I probably said Rachel Fairbanks like two or three techs, 567 00:30:02,360 --> 00:30:05,200 Speaker 2: or I'll type them out and then delete them. I'm like, Serena, 568 00:30:05,240 --> 00:30:07,120 Speaker 2: she needs to focus on season. I'm like, oh, I 569 00:30:07,160 --> 00:30:09,480 Speaker 2: love the way you led, Brie. You were like sixteen 570 00:30:09,520 --> 00:30:11,920 Speaker 2: feet Oh my gosh, your location was so good. I'm 571 00:30:12,000 --> 00:30:16,880 Speaker 2: like Serena. Or I'll be like, did you see the 572 00:30:16,880 --> 00:30:20,240 Speaker 2: connection between Rachel and Tory? Like that tempo was blah 573 00:30:20,240 --> 00:30:25,800 Speaker 2: blah Blah'm like, calm down, everyone's a volleyball nerd. Some 574 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:30,720 Speaker 2: people just relax. But I'm actually gonna go see them. 575 00:30:30,800 --> 00:30:34,280 Speaker 2: I fly out in about three days, and I am 576 00:30:34,320 --> 00:30:38,200 Speaker 2: so excited. I'm gonna give them some space because thereon season, 577 00:30:38,880 --> 00:30:41,880 Speaker 2: but they're my best friends, so not too much space. 578 00:30:42,040 --> 00:30:45,320 Speaker 2: But I'm just so excited to be in that environment 579 00:30:45,360 --> 00:30:46,440 Speaker 2: again and watch that. 580 00:30:46,520 --> 00:30:49,280 Speaker 1: Play now over the years, and something that you could 581 00:30:49,320 --> 00:30:52,440 Speaker 1: really see a lot in the Olympics this summer is 582 00:30:52,480 --> 00:30:55,600 Speaker 1: that the diversity in volleyball has grown immensely so for 583 00:30:55,680 --> 00:30:58,760 Speaker 1: both of you. How important is this representation? 584 00:30:59,200 --> 00:31:05,920 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think representation is such a impactful and really 585 00:31:05,920 --> 00:31:09,920 Speaker 3: big thing for just our society and for sure like 586 00:31:10,080 --> 00:31:14,600 Speaker 3: young girls, young athletes actually in general. I think what 587 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:19,240 Speaker 3: it's what it's doing is it's providing some pathway, you know, 588 00:31:19,840 --> 00:31:23,320 Speaker 3: somewhere in some way to just dream about what's possible. 589 00:31:23,840 --> 00:31:26,120 Speaker 3: And I think there's so many ways to look at it, 590 00:31:26,160 --> 00:31:29,000 Speaker 3: which is to me that's like one of the really 591 00:31:29,000 --> 00:31:32,920 Speaker 3: cool things is just how all these different teams are 592 00:31:32,920 --> 00:31:35,600 Speaker 3: made up, not even only the US team, you know, 593 00:31:36,160 --> 00:31:41,000 Speaker 3: and then you talk about you know, I'm a little biased, 594 00:31:41,000 --> 00:31:44,360 Speaker 3: but like our staff where there's so many women on 595 00:31:44,600 --> 00:31:47,280 Speaker 3: our staff for the Paris Games and and you know 596 00:31:47,360 --> 00:31:51,520 Speaker 3: there's not so many I think maybe one other country 597 00:31:51,640 --> 00:31:55,080 Speaker 3: with another female on the bench in the entire games 598 00:31:55,520 --> 00:31:59,200 Speaker 3: that's not a trainer, like an actual coach. And so 599 00:32:00,640 --> 00:32:03,920 Speaker 3: I think there's just a lot to be said for 600 00:32:05,160 --> 00:32:07,920 Speaker 3: being able to really just turn on the TV and 601 00:32:08,120 --> 00:32:14,720 Speaker 3: see some different people, different races, different cultures, different way 602 00:32:14,760 --> 00:32:20,720 Speaker 3: to coach, different way to like celebrate. There's so many 603 00:32:20,760 --> 00:32:23,800 Speaker 3: good things about the representation that I think is really 604 00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:26,640 Speaker 3: healthy for the sport, and then it just comes along 605 00:32:26,680 --> 00:32:31,360 Speaker 3: with like what all these athletes are about, and you 606 00:32:31,400 --> 00:32:33,960 Speaker 3: know there's there's all these tools in place for them 607 00:32:34,040 --> 00:32:35,160 Speaker 3: to express that. 608 00:32:35,320 --> 00:32:36,880 Speaker 5: So I think that's a really big thing. 609 00:32:37,480 --> 00:32:39,520 Speaker 3: I think it's just going to keep growing, which I'm 610 00:32:39,520 --> 00:32:42,520 Speaker 3: pretty excited about and to see how that evolves. 611 00:32:42,560 --> 00:32:45,920 Speaker 5: So what a exciting time. 612 00:32:46,080 --> 00:32:49,160 Speaker 3: And yeah, it's a big deal for a lot of 613 00:32:49,160 --> 00:32:52,000 Speaker 3: these kids that are playing the sport and just watching. 614 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:53,360 Speaker 4: I completely agree. 615 00:32:53,520 --> 00:32:56,640 Speaker 2: And like other than just someone seeing on TV like 616 00:32:56,680 --> 00:32:59,000 Speaker 2: someone who looks like them and thinking oh my gosh, 617 00:32:59,040 --> 00:33:00,920 Speaker 2: I can do this too, and that there is room 618 00:33:00,960 --> 00:33:03,880 Speaker 2: for me, I think it's also like about providing your 619 00:33:03,920 --> 00:33:10,080 Speaker 2: athletes with like an enriching, like thought provoking experience. Being 620 00:33:10,080 --> 00:33:12,440 Speaker 2: on a team with girls that come from like Hawaiian, 621 00:33:12,880 --> 00:33:16,520 Speaker 2: Nigerian and a bunch of other cultures we have on 622 00:33:16,560 --> 00:33:20,240 Speaker 2: the team, I would say just like brings everyone closer 623 00:33:20,280 --> 00:33:24,160 Speaker 2: together because you're learning something new about someone else. But 624 00:33:24,200 --> 00:33:27,360 Speaker 2: then you're also like expanding your worldview and learning to 625 00:33:27,400 --> 00:33:31,280 Speaker 2: see things from like their perspective. And there's so many 626 00:33:31,320 --> 00:33:34,880 Speaker 2: things that people do it within different cultures, Like even 627 00:33:34,920 --> 00:33:38,440 Speaker 2: Thomas said, like how people celebrate that you don't realize 628 00:33:38,560 --> 00:33:41,520 Speaker 2: that are different, but once you engage in conversations, you 629 00:33:41,600 --> 00:33:44,240 Speaker 2: understand like where it comes from. Yeah, and I think 630 00:33:44,240 --> 00:33:45,520 Speaker 2: that's just really cool. 631 00:33:45,720 --> 00:33:48,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, definitely. Now going into an off the field question, 632 00:33:49,120 --> 00:33:51,080 Speaker 1: what do you guys like to do for fun on 633 00:33:51,120 --> 00:33:51,720 Speaker 1: your free time? 634 00:33:52,080 --> 00:33:56,640 Speaker 2: Let me go first, I have been doing so much crocheting. 635 00:33:57,320 --> 00:34:01,479 Speaker 2: Well swatter I'm working on. It's gonna be striped like 636 00:34:01,560 --> 00:34:05,760 Speaker 2: this and this is gonna be the back and you 637 00:34:05,800 --> 00:34:08,720 Speaker 2: can see the stitches. I have some bubble stitches here, 638 00:34:09,160 --> 00:34:13,439 Speaker 2: we have some stars, and that's what That's a lot 639 00:34:13,480 --> 00:34:16,080 Speaker 2: of what I've been doing. Because I'm just a grandma. 640 00:34:16,760 --> 00:34:19,640 Speaker 2: So I'm not playing volleyball when I'm not on FaceTime. 641 00:34:20,120 --> 00:34:21,840 Speaker 2: I'm not watching my show as I'm crushean. 642 00:34:22,160 --> 00:34:25,960 Speaker 1: I love that so arts. 643 00:34:25,000 --> 00:34:27,720 Speaker 5: Really Utah esque pattern. 644 00:34:28,200 --> 00:34:32,040 Speaker 2: Absolutely, It's gonna take months to finish, so that's why 645 00:34:32,040 --> 00:34:34,040 Speaker 2: I'm starting now. I can't wait for you to wear 646 00:34:34,080 --> 00:34:36,640 Speaker 2: eighty five degrees now, I'm not gonna wear it right now. 647 00:34:39,000 --> 00:34:40,680 Speaker 1: What about you, Tom, and what are you doing your 648 00:34:40,680 --> 00:34:41,120 Speaker 1: free time? 649 00:34:41,440 --> 00:34:42,359 Speaker 4: I like to. 650 00:34:44,120 --> 00:34:45,360 Speaker 5: Actually, that's a really good question. 651 00:34:45,600 --> 00:34:48,919 Speaker 3: It's kind of it varies a lot because it could 652 00:34:48,920 --> 00:34:52,840 Speaker 3: be anything from like something artsy, it was an art major, 653 00:34:55,200 --> 00:34:59,000 Speaker 3: so more like crafts now, I would say, I'm into 654 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:00,360 Speaker 3: the whole plants. 655 00:35:00,239 --> 00:35:03,839 Speaker 1: Thing, gardening, what do you grow? 656 00:35:04,560 --> 00:35:10,439 Speaker 3: More like just trying to keep plants alive indoors and outdoors. No, 657 00:35:10,520 --> 00:35:12,799 Speaker 3: I get a kick of I get a kick out 658 00:35:12,800 --> 00:35:14,799 Speaker 3: of growing food for sure. 659 00:35:15,000 --> 00:35:17,160 Speaker 5: Like this past summer. 660 00:35:18,600 --> 00:35:22,120 Speaker 3: Started some tomato plants from seed or before in summer, 661 00:35:22,480 --> 00:35:24,840 Speaker 3: but you know it was I missed a few weeks, 662 00:35:24,840 --> 00:35:28,880 Speaker 3: so my family had to help keep them alive. But 663 00:35:29,600 --> 00:35:34,839 Speaker 3: I got some tomatoes, so amazing. Definitely in Utah, maybe 664 00:35:34,840 --> 00:35:36,520 Speaker 3: a little more biking and hiking. 665 00:35:36,640 --> 00:35:40,120 Speaker 5: I got a bike. More active things. 666 00:35:40,160 --> 00:35:43,319 Speaker 3: I think as a coach and all my coaches that 667 00:35:43,360 --> 00:35:46,799 Speaker 3: are watching, sometimes we lose track of the exercise. So 668 00:35:48,239 --> 00:35:50,560 Speaker 3: I think I try to lean a little more towards 669 00:35:51,160 --> 00:35:56,719 Speaker 3: the outdoors exercising things to do here in Utah. So 670 00:35:57,320 --> 00:36:01,880 Speaker 3: and I like cooking, mostly Asian food, I would say. 671 00:36:01,960 --> 00:36:06,280 Speaker 1: Nice. Now at the beginning, I asked Serena about the cats. 672 00:36:06,280 --> 00:36:09,759 Speaker 1: But Tama, do you have any pets or love for animals? 673 00:36:11,360 --> 00:36:13,000 Speaker 5: I like dogs. 674 00:36:13,040 --> 00:36:18,120 Speaker 3: I didn't grow up with dogs, but in my older 675 00:36:18,200 --> 00:36:21,120 Speaker 3: years I've. 676 00:36:20,920 --> 00:36:23,960 Speaker 5: Just met a lot of really great dogs. 677 00:36:23,760 --> 00:36:26,399 Speaker 3: And so maybe one day, but you know, it's really 678 00:36:26,400 --> 00:36:28,320 Speaker 3: hard to like get a dog when you travel to 679 00:36:28,400 --> 00:36:32,200 Speaker 3: V and L and you know someone has to watch 680 00:36:32,200 --> 00:36:34,800 Speaker 3: a dog for like six weeks, Like that's not super 681 00:36:34,800 --> 00:36:39,400 Speaker 3: fun for the dogs. So but also there are girls 682 00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:42,359 Speaker 3: in the team, Serena, that like cats, so maybe they'll 683 00:36:42,360 --> 00:36:43,160 Speaker 3: bring their cats. 684 00:36:43,239 --> 00:36:46,200 Speaker 2: But yes, I'm hoping someone has a cat. I feel 685 00:36:46,560 --> 00:36:51,160 Speaker 2: I'm getting cat fibes from like a couple of the girls. 686 00:36:50,480 --> 00:36:55,319 Speaker 1: Yes, please, when the team gets together, find out who 687 00:36:55,360 --> 00:36:58,440 Speaker 1: the crazy cat ladies are, and please tell us because 688 00:36:58,560 --> 00:37:01,840 Speaker 1: I'm going to like every single photo that they post 689 00:37:01,880 --> 00:37:05,759 Speaker 1: with their cats. All right, Well, last question. This is 690 00:37:05,800 --> 00:37:09,600 Speaker 1: the first season of Love, it's about to commence. What 691 00:37:09,680 --> 00:37:12,960 Speaker 1: do you hope to showcase in this inaugural season. What 692 00:37:13,080 --> 00:37:17,600 Speaker 1: do you want the fans in public to learn, see 693 00:37:17,840 --> 00:37:18,160 Speaker 1: and know. 694 00:37:18,760 --> 00:37:22,520 Speaker 2: I want the fans in public to see like how 695 00:37:22,920 --> 00:37:24,680 Speaker 2: high level this league. 696 00:37:24,440 --> 00:37:24,880 Speaker 4: Is going to be. 697 00:37:25,520 --> 00:37:29,360 Speaker 2: And I feel like we've had many girls on the 698 00:37:29,440 --> 00:37:33,720 Speaker 2: national team, and like Olympic gold medalists go overseas, and 699 00:37:33,800 --> 00:37:37,279 Speaker 2: while there's been domestic leagues in the United States, we 700 00:37:37,360 --> 00:37:40,719 Speaker 2: haven't necessarily showcased some of the big stars on our 701 00:37:40,800 --> 00:37:45,680 Speaker 2: national team on soil. So I definitely want the community 702 00:37:45,800 --> 00:37:48,880 Speaker 2: to get hype. I want them to see that volleyball 703 00:37:49,120 --> 00:37:53,120 Speaker 2: is super duper cool, and I want the kids to 704 00:37:53,280 --> 00:37:56,200 Speaker 2: kind of find an interest in volleyball the same way 705 00:37:56,360 --> 00:37:58,600 Speaker 2: that I did and give it a try. 706 00:37:58,920 --> 00:38:00,000 Speaker 5: I'm kind of the similar. 707 00:38:00,120 --> 00:38:05,520 Speaker 3: Are just showcasing the talent, you know, not only that 708 00:38:05,600 --> 00:38:08,560 Speaker 3: we have, but that we were able to attract to 709 00:38:08,680 --> 00:38:12,520 Speaker 3: the league. So to me, that's really exciting. We do 710 00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:15,400 Speaker 3: have a good amount of foreigners and so bringing that 711 00:38:15,440 --> 00:38:19,880 Speaker 3: all together, bringing all of our experiences and expertise together. 712 00:38:20,200 --> 00:38:23,000 Speaker 3: I'm really looking forward to the level of play, and 713 00:38:23,360 --> 00:38:27,040 Speaker 3: I hope also that people watching and following the sport 714 00:38:27,360 --> 00:38:34,439 Speaker 3: can learn more about these ladies this league. I think 715 00:38:34,480 --> 00:38:39,160 Speaker 3: maybe some younger athletes getting to just have more role 716 00:38:39,200 --> 00:38:41,960 Speaker 3: models of like people in their city or in other 717 00:38:42,000 --> 00:38:44,200 Speaker 3: cities that they want to look up to and and 718 00:38:44,239 --> 00:38:47,880 Speaker 3: try to be someday. So I'm really excited for that 719 00:38:48,040 --> 00:38:50,319 Speaker 3: and I think we can do it too. So yeah, 720 00:38:50,440 --> 00:38:53,479 Speaker 3: we'll see how it all works out. But a lot 721 00:38:53,760 --> 00:38:55,040 Speaker 3: a lot to look forward to, for sure. 722 00:38:55,120 --> 00:38:57,799 Speaker 1: I love that well. Coach Thomas Serina, thank you so 723 00:38:57,880 --> 00:39:00,360 Speaker 1: much for joining me. I'm sary pancakes it with pleasure 724 00:39:00,480 --> 00:39:01,080 Speaker 1: chatting with you. 725 00:39:01,160 --> 00:39:02,600 Speaker 4: Took You. 726 00:39:05,120 --> 00:39:09,000 Speaker 1: Serving Pancakes is an iheartwomen's sports production in partnership with 727 00:39:09,120 --> 00:39:12,040 Speaker 1: Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on 728 00:39:12,120 --> 00:39:16,600 Speaker 1: the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts. 729 00:39:16,600 --> 00:39:20,799 Speaker 1: Production by League one Volleyball, I'm your host Tiffany Oshinsky 730 00:39:21,400 --> 00:39:25,160 Speaker 1: Anya oliverrez is our senior producer. Our executive producers are 731 00:39:25,239 --> 00:39:29,640 Speaker 1: Carrie Stett, Tamara Daiki, and Lindsay Hoffman. Our marketing lead 732 00:39:29,760 --> 00:39:33,759 Speaker 1: is Jawara Parker. Sound editing and mixing by Daniel Gonzalez. 733 00:39:34,280 --> 00:39:37,800 Speaker 1: Our theme music is Pancakes by Eric W. Mast Junior 734 00:39:38,480 --> 00:39:42,600 Speaker 1: Special thanks to coach Tama Miashiro and Serena Gray. Stay 735 00:39:42,640 --> 00:39:45,800 Speaker 1: tuned for another episode of Serving Pancakes. Thanks for listening.