WEBVTT - Taking the Lead with Kelsey Cook 0:00:02.120 --> 0:00:05.000 Hi, I'm Tiffany Oshinsky and I'm Kat though, and this 0:00:05.120 --> 0:00:08.640 is serving pancakes with League one Volleyball. The inaugural Love 0:00:08.680 --> 0:00:11.879 season is finally here. Each episode will be going over 0:00:11.880 --> 0:00:13.560 the matches from the week to keep you up to 0:00:13.640 --> 0:00:16.919 date on everything League one Volleyball. Then stick around after 0:00:16.960 --> 0:00:20.079 the analysis for interviews with some amazing people in in 0:00:20.200 --> 0:00:23.520 and around the sport. Today's episode features Love founding athlete 0:00:23.520 --> 0:00:27.640 in Atlanta outside hitter Kelsey Cook. But first let's talk 0:00:27.680 --> 0:00:32.200 about all the exciting action from week four. Kat, How 0:00:32.320 --> 0:00:34.960 are you? You were sick this week? How are you feeling? 0:00:35.400 --> 0:00:37.760 I've been out, down and out on Friday, but I've 0:00:37.760 --> 0:00:39.720 been a lot better, so I can't complain right now. 0:00:39.720 --> 0:00:41.400 I was complaining a few days ago, but now I'm 0:00:41.400 --> 0:00:42.200 all good, all good. 0:00:42.280 --> 0:00:44.720 Yeah, you couldn't travel, but you got to watch the matches, 0:00:44.760 --> 0:00:46.200 which I feel like is a plus. 0:00:45.960 --> 0:00:46.639 Right, gotta change. 0:00:46.680 --> 0:00:49.120 Watch a lot of video, lots of scouting reports, got 0:00:49.120 --> 0:00:50.440 a lot of synch to do, so it was great. 0:00:50.520 --> 0:00:52.400 Yeah. 0:00:52.479 --> 0:00:55.320 Well, let's kick off the week four recafs with Love 0:00:55.400 --> 0:00:59.120 Madison hosting Love Houston with Houston putting on a show 0:00:59.240 --> 0:01:03.120 sweeping made in twenty five nineteen twenty five seventeen twenty 0:01:03.160 --> 0:01:07.080 five twenty one opposite Jordan Thompson shined in the match, 0:01:07.120 --> 0:01:10.080 earning Player of the Match honors thanks to seventeen kills, 0:01:10.600 --> 0:01:14.520 hitting three seventeen plus an ace, five digs, a block 0:01:14.600 --> 0:01:17.360 and an assist. So in the last week's match she 0:01:17.400 --> 0:01:20.640 actually hit negative. So what does she do to turn 0:01:20.720 --> 0:01:21.920 it around in this match? 0:01:22.040 --> 0:01:24.000 Hey, new day, new game, new day. 0:01:24.120 --> 0:01:26.040 You know, I think, you know, connection with micup was 0:01:26.040 --> 0:01:27.920 flowing a lot better this week, I think. And I'm 0:01:27.920 --> 0:01:32.200 also like, you know, maybe stressner's depending on whatever happening 0:01:32.200 --> 0:01:33.039 in your life that day. 0:01:33.080 --> 0:01:34.520 You know, you just have a bad day. But she 0:01:34.640 --> 0:01:35.759 definitely showed up the other. 0:01:35.600 --> 0:01:38.960 Night, you know, I saw that she mentioned that it's 0:01:39.000 --> 0:01:41.160 been a little rocky in the sense that after the 0:01:41.200 --> 0:01:44.840 Olympics she had three months off basically until matches Starry, 0:01:44.840 --> 0:01:47.560 where before she's been playing overseas in Europe during that 0:01:47.640 --> 0:01:49.720 time period. So she's like, you know, it's a little 0:01:49.720 --> 0:01:51.200 bit of a slow start. Do you find it that 0:01:51.240 --> 0:01:53.680 when you're not playing, oh yeah, for that long you're 0:01:53.920 --> 0:01:54.640 that off? 0:01:54.960 --> 0:01:57.680 I mean, honestly, first of all, was like all about mindset, 0:01:57.720 --> 0:01:59.800 because you're just on your off time, you're relax and 0:01:59.800 --> 0:02:01.960 you're chilling, hanging out doing whatever you want to do 0:02:02.000 --> 0:02:03.880 for us, like diet and exercise, and to go back 0:02:03.960 --> 0:02:05.720 to compete in a high level and trying to get 0:02:05.720 --> 0:02:08.320 your mind back to go on a certain schedule is difficult, definitely, 0:02:08.440 --> 0:02:10.200 And volleyball you can lose it in three days if 0:02:10.200 --> 0:02:12.440 you're not doing anything. So I'm actually thinking about that now. 0:02:12.560 --> 0:02:14.320 Starting practice tomorrow. 0:02:15.040 --> 0:02:17.480 You'll be great. The sickness just got you a little bit, 0:02:17.800 --> 0:02:20.320 be just fine. I believe in you. 0:02:20.360 --> 0:02:20.520 Now. 0:02:20.560 --> 0:02:23.720 Madison has lost four in a row and are at 0:02:23.760 --> 0:02:25.720 the bottom of the standings at one in five. Now, 0:02:26.000 --> 0:02:28.440 a lot of those losses actually came when they were 0:02:28.480 --> 0:02:31.400 like fifteen fifteen, sixteen sixteen and they just couldn't close 0:02:31.440 --> 0:02:34.360 it out. So how do you get over that mental 0:02:34.440 --> 0:02:36.280 hump to finish strong and get the win. 0:02:36.680 --> 0:02:37.960 I think it's one thing that all the team are 0:02:37.960 --> 0:02:40.200 bowling right now. I think even last night you saw 0:02:40.240 --> 0:02:42.280 that Austin was up and then just kind of lost 0:02:42.280 --> 0:02:44.000 it in. I think Madison go into each game, but 0:02:44.120 --> 0:02:45.960 depending a lot of on lot on Sarah. I think 0:02:45.960 --> 0:02:47.200 that they were an offense little bit more and get 0:02:47.200 --> 0:02:49.040 the other hitters kind of attacking getting the ball down. 0:02:49.360 --> 0:02:51.320 All right, let's move to the next match. On Friday, 0:02:51.400 --> 0:02:54.040 we saw Love Atlanta sweep Love Salt Lake at home 0:02:54.120 --> 0:02:56.959 twenty five twenty two, twenty five twenty two, twenty five 0:02:57.080 --> 0:03:00.680 twenty back to back sweeps this week. Pretty exciting. So 0:03:00.919 --> 0:03:03.840 let's talk about Atlanta. What were they doing that Selta 0:03:03.960 --> 0:03:04.600 just couldn't stop. 0:03:04.880 --> 0:03:06.840 I think one thing Alana's doing is they're kind of 0:03:06.840 --> 0:03:08.799 getting into that six too. Everybody else is playing the 0:03:08.800 --> 0:03:10.360 sixt two right now. I think its benefiting a lot 0:03:10.360 --> 0:03:12.680 of teams if you can have an attacker that's going 0:03:12.760 --> 0:03:13.960 to go up and hit the ball in the front 0:03:13.960 --> 0:03:14.519 court every. 0:03:14.440 --> 0:03:15.760 Rotation, I think is the best thing to do. 0:03:16.400 --> 0:03:18.200 They use Danielle a little bit more this week, I 0:03:18.200 --> 0:03:20.080 think also, and this test has also been great for 0:03:20.120 --> 0:03:22.440 them this entire season so far. So they're definitely run 0:03:22.440 --> 0:03:24.320 their offense a lot more with having all six players 0:03:24.320 --> 0:03:25.519 out in the court all rotations. 0:03:26.160 --> 0:03:29.080 Speaking of offense, outside hitter Mackenzie Adams was named a 0:03:29.080 --> 0:03:31.720 Player of the match with thirteen kills, six in that 0:03:31.720 --> 0:03:35.240 third set, an ace, a block, and thirteen digs. Now, 0:03:35.320 --> 0:03:38.440 Mackenzie has been an absolute force internationally, but now she's 0:03:38.440 --> 0:03:41.000 making a name for herself here in the States. So 0:03:41.080 --> 0:03:43.720 talk about mackenzie and how she plays, Like, what does 0:03:43.760 --> 0:03:44.520 she do that's so great? 0:03:44.720 --> 0:03:45.760 McKenzie's an athlete. 0:03:45.920 --> 0:03:47.200 I don't know if we've seen on social media right 0:03:47.200 --> 0:03:49.280 now they're showing her, you know, playing basketball and throwing 0:03:49.280 --> 0:03:51.120 the ball around. I've been able to watch McKenzie since 0:03:51.120 --> 0:03:53.320 she was in college at UTSA, and she'sn't always in 0:03:53.320 --> 0:03:55.120 a phenomenal athlete. I think right now they're finding that 0:03:55.160 --> 0:03:57.839 fastball to her on the outside, which is obviously helping 0:03:57.880 --> 0:03:59.720 out her offense a lot. So she's just been great. 0:04:00.040 --> 0:04:02.560 I think she's a great dynamic player and being able 0:04:02.600 --> 0:04:04.200 to go out there and showcase her abilities and her 0:04:04.240 --> 0:04:05.440 talent as working well for Atlanta. 0:04:05.520 --> 0:04:09.360 Moving to Saturday's games, your team Love Austin could have 0:04:09.480 --> 0:04:12.960 used some cat Bill charisma there, missing the energy. 0:04:13.720 --> 0:04:15.720 They were missing the yells and the screaming and the 0:04:15.760 --> 0:04:17.200 dancing on the sidelines for sure. 0:04:18.160 --> 0:04:21.000 For sure, because they ended up losing a very hard 0:04:21.000 --> 0:04:23.279 fought battle. Let's let's give them a lot of credit. 0:04:23.320 --> 0:04:25.920 But you know they did lose to Love Salt Lake 0:04:26.000 --> 0:04:30.120 in five sets, twenty two, twenty five, twenty five, nineteen twenty, 0:04:30.160 --> 0:04:34.360 twenty five, twenty seven to twenty five, fifteen twelve. Now, 0:04:34.360 --> 0:04:37.560 that fourth set was like a game changer, right, If 0:04:37.560 --> 0:04:39.840 Austin could have just held on, they would have won 0:04:39.880 --> 0:04:43.200 the match. Instead, that set went into overtime and they 0:04:43.279 --> 0:04:46.680 ultimately lost the fifth set. So what did your team 0:04:46.800 --> 0:04:49.560 need to do to overcome and pull out a W. 0:04:49.760 --> 0:04:52.400 I think just being a little more consistent and the 0:04:52.440 --> 0:04:54.600 offense once in transition, you know, I think they were 0:04:54.600 --> 0:04:57.720 a little mishaps attacking the ball, little whifs coming now, 0:04:57.720 --> 0:05:00.200 and then also just being smart about location where the 0:05:00.200 --> 0:05:02.839 balls when your setter is Obviously there was kind of 0:05:03.000 --> 0:05:04.840 some tough calls as well. There were some balls that 0:05:04.880 --> 0:05:06.320 may've been in, it may have been out and not 0:05:06.400 --> 0:05:08.640 really sure. It was definitely a well fat battle, but 0:05:09.040 --> 0:05:10.560 just closing out as the biggest thing, I said going 0:05:10.560 --> 0:05:12.560 on for all teams to figure out that huge hump 0:05:12.600 --> 0:05:14.120 to get over and. 0:05:14.080 --> 0:05:16.320 The Salt Lakes wind came after being swept by Atlanta 0:05:16.360 --> 0:05:19.240 the night before in opposite Skyler Fields, was a big 0:05:19.279 --> 0:05:22.119 reason for Saturday's victory. She finished the match of twenty 0:05:22.120 --> 0:05:24.920 five kills. Six of those came during that fifth set, 0:05:25.240 --> 0:05:28.520 six blocks, five digs and an assist to talk about 0:05:28.520 --> 0:05:31.640 Skyler and what she does to be so dominant. 0:05:31.960 --> 0:05:33.760 No, I'm so proud of her. I've bought scholars and 0:05:33.800 --> 0:05:35.640 she was in high school and she's like my little baby, 0:05:35.680 --> 0:05:37.280 you know. And to see her being a dominant opposite 0:05:37.320 --> 0:05:39.200 in this league right now, it's just so early on 0:05:39.200 --> 0:05:41.400 in the season is great. I think she's given the 0:05:41.400 --> 0:05:43.960 outside their money because she's on all ends from the 0:05:44.040 --> 0:05:46.719 four to the from the fourth or to two, she's. 0:05:46.560 --> 0:05:47.599 Attacking how over the block. 0:05:47.640 --> 0:05:49.599 Her offense in the back on the back Grook right 0:05:49.640 --> 0:05:51.680 now is definitely undefeated, connected repolter. 0:05:51.839 --> 0:05:53.520 So she's bringing a lot of heat, all. 0:05:53.440 --> 0:05:55.400 Right, So I want to do something a little different today. 0:05:56.200 --> 0:05:59.640 Love posted this killed by Haley Washington with the caption 0:06:00.120 --> 0:06:01.600 did y'all feel that earthquake? 0:06:04.800 --> 0:06:06.960 It's a slide delivered to Washington. 0:06:08.080 --> 0:06:09.640 It was a sick kill you. 0:06:09.920 --> 0:06:10.600 Yeah. 0:06:11.080 --> 0:06:14.080 Can you break down this play and that swing for us? 0:06:14.160 --> 0:06:16.839 I mean, how does Haley get the power and precision 0:06:16.839 --> 0:06:18.440 to crush a kill like that? And you know in 0:06:18.480 --> 0:06:21.279 case players who are listening want to try to replicate it. 0:06:21.440 --> 0:06:23.719 So if you're an amazing slide attacker, this is a 0:06:23.760 --> 0:06:25.920 great slide attempt to run in front of your cetter, 0:06:26.400 --> 0:06:27.960 something that's been going going on as I was playing 0:06:27.960 --> 0:06:30.719 in high school as well. Hailey Washington's amazing slide attacker, 0:06:30.760 --> 0:06:31.880 So you can get her to run a slide in 0:06:31.920 --> 0:06:32.680 front and behind. 0:06:32.720 --> 0:06:33.120 It's great. 0:06:33.440 --> 0:06:35.640 Obviously she's just taking that quick step just like she 0:06:35.640 --> 0:06:37.440 would do around the cetter. She's going right in front 0:06:37.440 --> 0:06:39.800 of her, hiking that right leg up and going trick 0:06:39.800 --> 0:06:42.880 for the ball. I think it's a hard ball to hit. Definitely, 0:06:42.960 --> 0:06:44.800 definitely to defend, I would say, because she has that 0:06:44.880 --> 0:06:47.080 sharp angle going down the body and then a cross 0:06:47.080 --> 0:06:47.760 corking back. 0:06:47.600 --> 0:06:49.800 Around just like she was going to run a slide. 0:06:49.839 --> 0:06:52.400 So I think it's a great play to use, very 0:06:52.440 --> 0:06:54.719 something very difficult to stop. And she showed that she 0:06:54.720 --> 0:06:56.279 can put the ball away every single time, so it 0:06:56.360 --> 0:06:58.080 was great, m all right. 0:06:58.080 --> 0:07:00.599 In the final match of the weekend, Love Omaha versus 0:07:00.760 --> 0:07:03.640 Love Atlanta. This was my match of the week, and 0:07:03.680 --> 0:07:06.719 I was actually shocked by the outcome because I thought 0:07:06.760 --> 0:07:09.320 the defense it was just gonna end up being a 0:07:09.360 --> 0:07:12.280 battle both offensively and defensively, and I thought it was 0:07:12.320 --> 0:07:14.200 going to go to five sets, super close, but instead 0:07:14.440 --> 0:07:17.640 Atlanta beat Omaha in four sets, twenty one, twenty five. 0:07:17.840 --> 0:07:19.560 Wait, so you want it? You want to Omaha to win? 0:07:19.640 --> 0:07:20.240 Is that what you're saying. 0:07:20.320 --> 0:07:21.880 No, I just thought it was going to be tighter. 0:07:21.920 --> 0:07:24.080 I just thought it was going to be like, like, oh, 0:07:24.320 --> 0:07:29.040 I'm playing favorites favorite. 0:07:29.080 --> 0:07:29.520 It's crazy. 0:07:29.720 --> 0:07:31.880 No favorites, no favorite, her favorite. 0:07:31.560 --> 0:07:33.360 Team while I'm on the phone. That's crazy. 0:07:35.640 --> 0:07:37.760 No, no, no favorites. Just I thought it was going to 0:07:37.800 --> 0:07:39.600 be like, you know, twenty seven twenty. 0:07:39.400 --> 0:07:42.480 Five Saturday, I was like, minute, let me make sure 0:07:42.520 --> 0:07:43.160 that wasn't that thought. 0:07:43.160 --> 0:07:44.600 It was okay, okay. 0:07:46.280 --> 0:07:46.360 No. 0:07:46.480 --> 0:07:49.840 But the match, the scores were twenty one, twenty five, 0:07:49.960 --> 0:07:52.920 twenty five, twenty two, twenty five, twenty two, and then 0:07:52.960 --> 0:07:56.040 twenty five twenty and So now after this win, Atlanta 0:07:56.440 --> 0:07:58.560 is a top the Love leader board at four and one. 0:07:59.120 --> 0:08:01.320 What did they do separate themselves from the rest of 0:08:01.320 --> 0:08:01.800 the league. 0:08:01.920 --> 0:08:04.600 I think they're finding that connection. Have Kelsey Cook, who's 0:08:04.600 --> 0:08:06.560 an amazing outside hitter. She's been doing all them since 0:08:06.600 --> 0:08:08.800 the first match of the season. They're finding an offense 0:08:08.800 --> 0:08:11.480 amongst everyone, I think, and the defense Liberos are playing well, 0:08:11.520 --> 0:08:13.560 so they're finding the rhythm I think coming around all. 0:08:13.520 --> 0:08:16.200 Right, Well, let's talk about opposite Danielle Katino, who was 0:08:16.280 --> 0:08:18.880 named player of the match. She mentioned her in Friday's 0:08:18.920 --> 0:08:21.360 game about how she was stepping up, and in this 0:08:21.480 --> 0:08:24.000 match she had sixteen kills two blocks in a dig. 0:08:24.120 --> 0:08:26.640 And you know, Danielle has been improving week in and 0:08:26.720 --> 0:08:29.360 week out. So what stands out to you about her game? 0:08:29.520 --> 0:08:31.280 You know, I've been watching Danielle for a while as well, 0:08:31.280 --> 0:08:33.360 and I know personally and I think it's just, you know, 0:08:33.440 --> 0:08:36.240 it can be sometimes a mind block. I think Danielle is. 0:08:36.400 --> 0:08:37.520 A great vollball player. 0:08:37.520 --> 0:08:39.079 She doesn't happen to do much to be as awesome 0:08:39.080 --> 0:08:41.120 as she is, Like you know, her trying to show 0:08:41.120 --> 0:08:42.959 her potential. She doesn't even do any that she's going 0:08:43.000 --> 0:08:45.200 to be great regardless. I think just come into the situation. 0:08:45.360 --> 0:08:48.720 It's a different cetter trying to figure out your rhythm 0:08:48.760 --> 0:08:50.640 and different attackers and blockers around. I think we haven't 0:08:50.640 --> 0:08:51.720 seen a lot of her, but I think we'll be 0:08:51.760 --> 0:08:53.840 getting to see her enough coming up soon. So she's 0:08:53.880 --> 0:08:55.559 been great, definitely. 0:08:55.800 --> 0:08:57.520 All Right, Now that we went over week four, let's 0:08:57.559 --> 0:09:01.679 talk about Week five and which matches were So First, 0:09:01.679 --> 0:09:03.840 we got the Battle of the Lone Star State with 0:09:03.920 --> 0:09:08.320 your team, Love Austin hosting Love Houston on Wednesday, then 0:09:08.520 --> 0:09:11.920 salt Lake hosts Atlanta to kick off Weekend with Love 0:09:12.040 --> 0:09:15.600 on Friday, and for Saturday's doubleheader, we start with Love 0:09:15.640 --> 0:09:20.520 Madison versus Love Atlanta, followed by Love Omaha versus Love 0:09:20.800 --> 0:09:23.280 salt Lake. So which match are you excited for? 0:09:23.920 --> 0:09:25.000 You know, I gotta. 0:09:24.800 --> 0:09:29.200 Go with the Long Star Battle just because last time 0:09:29.240 --> 0:09:31.040 we played Houston, as you know, we lost. 0:09:32.040 --> 0:09:33.280 You know, Maddi Keenan. 0:09:33.040 --> 0:09:35.040 Had a good job, did a great job. MICA's an 0:09:35.040 --> 0:09:37.000 amazing centter obviously, so I think it's a little bit 0:09:37.040 --> 0:09:39.320 of a revenge. You know, They're coming into our town now, 0:09:39.520 --> 0:09:41.880 and I'm happing to host them and excited to potentially 0:09:41.920 --> 0:09:42.280 get to win. 0:09:42.480 --> 0:09:45.840 You know, I'm going to actually go with Love Madison 0:09:46.080 --> 0:09:48.520 versus Atlanta. I know Madison is at the bottom of 0:09:48.600 --> 0:09:50.840 the rankings and Atlanta's at the top of the rankings, 0:09:50.840 --> 0:09:53.360 but I feel like there's something in Madison that there. 0:09:53.760 --> 0:09:56.040 This is kind of like, all right, we're done losing. Yeah, 0:09:56.200 --> 0:09:59.440 watch out Atlanta. I don't care how good you guys are. 0:09:59.600 --> 0:10:01.640 The I think that this is going to be like 0:10:01.880 --> 0:10:04.640 a fun a fun step up match for them. 0:10:04.800 --> 0:10:06.360 So yeah, do you watch that? It was me? 0:10:06.440 --> 0:10:08.880 I think Atlanta's bruined something over there. You know, they're 0:10:08.920 --> 0:10:11.200 finding some some heat over there. They're finding connections. So 0:10:11.240 --> 0:10:12.920 it's gonna be be a well fault match. I think 0:10:12.920 --> 0:10:14.520 all the matches don't be really good to watch this week. 0:10:14.840 --> 0:10:17.080 Definitely. All right, Well, we're going to take a break 0:10:17.160 --> 0:10:19.880 right now, but when we return, Love Atlanta's Kelsey Cook 0:10:19.960 --> 0:10:23.439 joins us to talk about League One volleyball, her journey 0:10:23.520 --> 0:10:41.200 to joining the league, and so much more, And we're 0:10:41.360 --> 0:10:46.800 back with Love Atlanta outside hitter Kelsey Cook. Originally from Bartlett, Illinois, 0:10:46.880 --> 0:10:49.800 Kelsey played collegiately at Tennessee and Nebraska, where she earned 0:10:49.800 --> 0:10:53.720 two All American honors. She's a three time Olympic medalist, 0:10:53.800 --> 0:10:56.320 earning a bronze in her Olympic debut in twenty sixteen 0:10:56.360 --> 0:10:59.560 in Rio, a Golden Tokyo in twenty twenty, and silver 0:10:59.600 --> 0:11:02.679 and pair in twenty twenty four. Kelsey has been playing 0:11:02.679 --> 0:11:06.440 professionally for over a decade. While playing overseas, she won 0:11:06.520 --> 0:11:11.000 three Club World Championships, two Champions League titles, five League championships, 0:11:11.040 --> 0:11:14.880 and eight Cup or Super Cup titles. She's also a 0:11:14.880 --> 0:11:17.880 lover of animal and avid photographer, a fashion guru, and 0:11:17.920 --> 0:11:20.840 now she's bringing all those passions and her volleyball dominance 0:11:20.920 --> 0:11:24.360 back to the States playing for Love Atlanta. Kelsey, Welcome 0:11:24.360 --> 0:11:25.400 to serving pancakes. 0:11:25.640 --> 0:11:27.360 Thank you. I'm excited to be here. 0:11:27.559 --> 0:11:29.600 We're very excited to have you. Now. I want to 0:11:29.640 --> 0:11:34.199 actually start with everything. You know, you've been professional overseas 0:11:34.280 --> 0:11:37.040 for all these years. Now we're here in the States playing. 0:11:37.040 --> 0:11:37.560 What's it like. 0:11:37.960 --> 0:11:40.360 It's been very surreal. I'm not gonna lie. 0:11:40.520 --> 0:11:46.040 There's moments where I'm like just packing a normal American 0:11:46.040 --> 0:11:49.520 outlet plug and using my driver's license to go on 0:11:49.559 --> 0:11:52.160 the plane, and just little things like that, going to 0:11:52.160 --> 0:11:55.880 the grocery store, all the things that make overseas what 0:11:55.960 --> 0:11:58.160 it is. And then you come back here in the 0:11:58.200 --> 0:12:01.600 ease and convenience of it all. I'm just grateful to 0:12:01.640 --> 0:12:03.000 be here and help start this thing. 0:12:03.240 --> 0:12:05.920 You know, I didn't even think about the whole plug 0:12:06.040 --> 0:12:08.199 outlet situation, did you, guys? I mean, both of you 0:12:08.280 --> 0:12:11.240 played overseas for so long. Did you end up buying 0:12:11.280 --> 0:12:14.920 like appliances like hair dryers and straighteners specifically for the 0:12:14.960 --> 0:12:16.959 countries that you like lived in for a few months. 0:12:17.040 --> 0:12:17.840 Oh yeah, I think. 0:12:17.960 --> 0:12:20.240 I mean, I'm overseas more than I am in America, 0:12:20.320 --> 0:12:24.560 so I actually like have more like appliance as an outlet, 0:12:24.960 --> 0:12:28.360 things just ready adapters, all the things for overseas rather 0:12:28.400 --> 0:12:31.199 than America. Sometimes it's I don't even have the American outlet, 0:12:31.320 --> 0:12:34.200 which is like such a silly thing, but it is 0:12:34.320 --> 0:12:35.240 just part of life. 0:12:35.440 --> 0:12:35.600 Yeah. 0:12:35.640 --> 0:12:38.120 I recently bought like a really nice blow drawing. I 0:12:38.200 --> 0:12:40.199 was in Japan and I had an adapter and pumping 0:12:40.200 --> 0:12:42.040 into the wall and damn near blue sockets. 0:12:42.080 --> 0:12:44.160 So it's we're still trying to fiure those things out. 0:12:44.800 --> 0:12:46.400 I don't know Volta Jie, I don't know Volta juice. 0:12:46.440 --> 0:12:50.800 So yeah, oh jeez. Well, Kelsey, you are one of 0:12:50.800 --> 0:12:54.240 the founding athletes. Actually, weren't you the first athlete to 0:12:54.520 --> 0:12:55.280 sign with Love? 0:12:55.679 --> 0:12:55.920 Yeah? 0:12:56.040 --> 0:12:56.440 I was. 0:12:56.559 --> 0:12:59.040 Yeah, So how did this come about? How did they 0:12:59.080 --> 0:13:02.040 approach you? What kind of went through your mind? I mean, 0:13:02.160 --> 0:13:04.400 and knowing that you were the first, like what were 0:13:04.400 --> 0:13:04.840 you thinking? 0:13:05.160 --> 0:13:08.280 Yeah, So I'm really good friends with Emily Hartong who 0:13:08.559 --> 0:13:12.880 works with Love, and she was like, hey, let's have 0:13:12.920 --> 0:13:13.599 a conversation. 0:13:13.720 --> 0:13:15.480 I just want to kind of talk to you about 0:13:15.520 --> 0:13:17.040 this new league we're trying to form. 0:13:17.320 --> 0:13:21.080 And for me, I think because I've heard so many 0:13:21.080 --> 0:13:25.400 different leagues wanting to form, I kind of had that conversation. 0:13:25.000 --> 0:13:29.240 As like a favor and just Emily is my girl. 0:13:29.280 --> 0:13:31.760 So I was like, yeah, listen, and I think in 0:13:31.800 --> 0:13:36.520 the back of my mind I had already anticipated just 0:13:36.960 --> 0:13:39.920 probably not being super excited about it, and just it 0:13:40.000 --> 0:13:42.199 is what it is. And then as I was listening 0:13:42.200 --> 0:13:46.760 to it and understanding the why behind, how they were 0:13:46.800 --> 0:13:48.920 going to do it, how they were going to build 0:13:48.920 --> 0:13:52.000 this league, the model, all the things, I got off 0:13:52.000 --> 0:13:54.560 the phone and I said to my husband, I said, 0:13:55.120 --> 0:13:57.240 I think this can work, Like I think this can 0:13:57.280 --> 0:14:01.280 be the way it has to be done. And after 0:14:01.320 --> 0:14:04.840 that initial conversation, I continued to have conversations with Caitlin 0:14:05.080 --> 0:14:06.920 and Rosie and we. 0:14:06.880 --> 0:14:09.000 Had conversations for years. 0:14:10.160 --> 0:14:14.040 So when it came time to sign, it's still nerve wrapping, 0:14:14.120 --> 0:14:16.640 you know, it's still nerve wrapping to be the first and. 0:14:16.559 --> 0:14:19.040 Not really know what that is going to look like. 0:14:19.240 --> 0:14:24.080 Especially I signed two years out, so there was a 0:14:24.120 --> 0:14:25.760 lot of faith and a lot of hope that it 0:14:25.800 --> 0:14:30.600 would be what we had anticipated. But yeah, I'm just 0:14:30.680 --> 0:14:32.920 proud to stand here today, and I think I had 0:14:32.920 --> 0:14:34.960 tears in my eyes the first time I saw our 0:14:35.040 --> 0:14:37.760 home gym and all the hard work that it's taken 0:14:37.800 --> 0:14:41.760 to get to this point. I were always moving forward 0:14:41.960 --> 0:14:43.920 as people, and we always want to make things better. 0:14:45.320 --> 0:14:47.160 But I think I can sit in a lot of 0:14:47.160 --> 0:14:49.600 gratitude for the present moment and where we are today. 0:14:49.720 --> 0:14:51.520 Kind of coming off what you're saying, I just wanted 0:14:51.560 --> 0:14:53.280 to ask you, you know, going through those stresses of 0:14:53.280 --> 0:14:55.800 that pressure and trying to be in a capain of 0:14:55.840 --> 0:14:57.720 your team, you have so much things to do. 0:14:57.760 --> 0:14:59.240 How are you handling that by yourself? 0:14:59.360 --> 0:15:02.640 It's been learning experience. 0:15:02.760 --> 0:15:07.560 I think I wear multiple hats and kind of trying to. 0:15:07.840 --> 0:15:10.440 I think in the beginning, I was carrying a lot 0:15:10.600 --> 0:15:14.680 of because I'm a founding athlete, because I was the first, 0:15:14.960 --> 0:15:19.480 I am responsible for everybody's experience here. And I sat 0:15:19.520 --> 0:15:22.760 down with Rosie and expressed that after it became too much. 0:15:22.840 --> 0:15:25.920 And I think that's one of the things I'm most 0:15:25.960 --> 0:15:29.760 grateful for is my relationship with the women in this 0:15:29.840 --> 0:15:34.080 league that helped formlessly. Because they're guiding me and helping me. 0:15:34.120 --> 0:15:35.880 They never wanted to feel too much for me, and 0:15:35.920 --> 0:15:37.800 they never want any of our athletes to feel that, 0:15:37.920 --> 0:15:41.600 and so to be able as an athlete to go 0:15:42.000 --> 0:15:46.960 to your CEO, the people in charge and be, hey, 0:15:47.200 --> 0:15:49.680 this is what I'm experiencing, and they're going to listen 0:15:49.720 --> 0:15:52.720 to me, and they're going to help provide tools for me. 0:15:52.920 --> 0:15:56.040 It's just such a unique experience because overseas it's sink 0:15:56.120 --> 0:15:59.280 or swim. You're on your own and you make that 0:15:59.360 --> 0:16:03.320 experience what it is and you have to survive. And 0:16:03.600 --> 0:16:08.960 here I feel so supported. I love that they listen. 0:16:09.080 --> 0:16:12.280 I love that this league is about championing women and 0:16:12.320 --> 0:16:16.040 putting women in executive roles, putting women in coaching roles, 0:16:16.160 --> 0:16:19.560 and more opportunities for women to play, so all of 0:16:19.600 --> 0:16:20.000 the things. 0:16:20.120 --> 0:16:22.640 I just feel inspired daily to be here. 0:16:23.040 --> 0:16:25.680 Not to jump ahead in your career, because I want 0:16:25.680 --> 0:16:27.760 you to keep playing volleyball as long as you want, 0:16:27.840 --> 0:16:31.239 but are you thinking of that next role, like potential executive? 0:16:31.480 --> 0:16:40.120 And you know, maybe I will say I am very vocal. 0:16:40.200 --> 0:16:43.720 I think everybody knows that, and I'm not afraid to 0:16:43.840 --> 0:16:48.360 like have the hard conversation. So I think they're people 0:16:48.400 --> 0:16:51.520 are instilling belief in me and like what I could 0:16:51.600 --> 0:16:57.200 be beyond the athletics side, and I feel very excited 0:16:57.200 --> 0:16:57.600 about that. 0:16:57.680 --> 0:17:00.240 I would say I would be happy to explore. 0:17:01.240 --> 0:17:06.120 Opportunities potentially in like ownership or running a team. 0:17:06.600 --> 0:17:07.160 I know it. 0:17:07.320 --> 0:17:10.359 I know to me, I know what it takes to 0:17:10.520 --> 0:17:13.280 be successful, and not just as an athlete or winning, 0:17:13.680 --> 0:17:15.919 but I know what like a great club looks like 0:17:16.240 --> 0:17:19.159 and how they treat their players and employees, and I 0:17:19.200 --> 0:17:20.840 think that's essential to success. 0:17:21.000 --> 0:17:25.760 So I feel that it would be it would be. 0:17:27.200 --> 0:17:29.320 I guess the next step for me is how I 0:17:29.320 --> 0:17:30.240 would feel about it. 0:17:30.720 --> 0:17:32.359 I just feel like this is just so important to 0:17:32.520 --> 0:17:34.720 like have you guys be back here and be part 0:17:34.760 --> 0:17:36.919 of that so people can know your experiences overseas and 0:17:36.960 --> 0:17:38.960