1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:02,840 Speaker 1: As a volleyball player, I trust Adidas to meet my 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:06,240 Speaker 1: own court needs, but they also offer the ultimate in 3 00:00:06,360 --> 00:00:11,360 Speaker 1: everyday's style. From trendy platform sneakers, vibrant track pants, and 4 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: cozy chic flee sweatshirts from their Zny collection, Adidas has 5 00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:21,080 Speaker 1: everything I need to feel comfortable, stylish, and confident. Explore 6 00:00:21,120 --> 00:00:24,120 Speaker 1: all that Adidas has to offer at Adidas dot Com 7 00:00:24,360 --> 00:00:27,240 Speaker 1: or through the Adidas App and receive fifteen percent off 8 00:00:27,240 --> 00:00:29,440 Speaker 1: your first order when you sign up for ADDI Club, 9 00:00:29,840 --> 00:00:34,639 Speaker 1: getting access to fantastic perks, including free shipping. Unlock your 10 00:00:34,680 --> 00:00:41,560 Speaker 1: style with Adidas Today. Hi, I'm Tipney Oshinski and this 11 00:00:41,680 --> 00:00:45,159 Speaker 1: is serving pancakes with League one Volleyball. The inaugural Love 12 00:00:45,240 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 1: season is just around the corner, So we're talking with 13 00:00:47,840 --> 00:00:50,320 Speaker 1: some of the amazing people in the league to introduce 14 00:00:50,360 --> 00:00:52,600 Speaker 1: you to the players on the court and coaches and 15 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:56,040 Speaker 1: others involved off the court. To close out twenty twenty four, 16 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: we get two for one in today's episode, Love Austin 17 00:00:59,520 --> 00:01:03,680 Speaker 1: middle blocker Molly McCage and Love Atlanta setter Mattie Bugs. 18 00:01:04,160 --> 00:01:06,759 Speaker 1: Growing up in Spring, Texas, Molly stayed close to home 19 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:09,399 Speaker 1: by taking her towns to the University of Texas, where 20 00:01:09,440 --> 00:01:12,319 Speaker 1: she earned three All American designations and helped lead the 21 00:01:12,319 --> 00:01:15,800 Speaker 1: Longhorns to a national title in twenty twelve. She's played 22 00:01:15,800 --> 00:01:19,400 Speaker 1: professionally since twenty sixteen, both abroad in Germany and here 23 00:01:19,440 --> 00:01:21,880 Speaker 1: in the States, and now we'll be joining many Texas 24 00:01:21,880 --> 00:01:26,040 Speaker 1: alums on Love Austin. Maddi grew up in Apex, North Carolina, 25 00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:28,839 Speaker 1: but went across the country to play collegiately at Stanford, 26 00:01:29,000 --> 00:01:31,880 Speaker 1: where she was a three time All American. She played 27 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 1: professionally abroad in Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Poland, and France, and 28 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:39,119 Speaker 1: now she'll be playing close to home for Love Atlanta. 29 00:01:39,720 --> 00:01:42,440 Speaker 1: Mollie Maddy, Welcome to Serving Pancakes. Thanks so much for 30 00:01:42,480 --> 00:01:45,000 Speaker 1: being here, Thanks for having us. So I have to 31 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:46,920 Speaker 1: start because I know that you two were friends. That 32 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 1: was part of the reason why we wanted you on 33 00:01:48,640 --> 00:01:51,800 Speaker 1: the podcast together. When did the friendship begin? How did 34 00:01:51,800 --> 00:01:52,440 Speaker 1: you guys meet? 35 00:01:53,040 --> 00:01:55,960 Speaker 2: We were so young, so we both played on the 36 00:01:55,960 --> 00:01:59,160 Speaker 2: youth national team for USA, and I don't know. We 37 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:01,040 Speaker 2: met when we were fifteen teen sixteen at one of 38 00:02:01,080 --> 00:02:04,720 Speaker 2: the high performance camps and we ended up being on 39 00:02:04,760 --> 00:02:07,520 Speaker 2: the same team on the youth national team. So those 40 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 2: trips are awesome because you spend a lot of time together. 41 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:13,000 Speaker 3: So we went to Guatemala. How long were we there? 42 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 4: Many, like fell of years. Everybody on our team got sick, 43 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:23,839 Speaker 4: like yeah, but it was that might have been mine too, 44 00:02:23,960 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 4: except like Niagara Falls or something. 45 00:02:26,320 --> 00:02:29,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, so it was Guatemala where the friendship was forged. 46 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:36,799 Speaker 4: Yeah, Well, sary the details of that trip, but yeah, 47 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:38,480 Speaker 4: definitely solidified there. 48 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:42,000 Speaker 1: What was it about like each other that really drew 49 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:43,880 Speaker 1: you two together as friends. 50 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,960 Speaker 4: I think we were both kind of nerdy, and we 51 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:50,200 Speaker 4: both love Harry Potter, loved to read things like that, 52 00:02:50,440 --> 00:02:53,400 Speaker 4: and we both like giggle a lot. Like we just 53 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 4: make each other giggle all the time. And I think 54 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:58,520 Speaker 4: Molly has the best left in the world, so like 55 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:02,280 Speaker 4: it just makes me laugh harder, and everybody loves laugh, 56 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:03,640 Speaker 4: so that's so sweet. 57 00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:04,600 Speaker 3: I know. 58 00:03:04,720 --> 00:03:07,200 Speaker 2: Well, Maddie's also hilarious, so I'm sure she hears that 59 00:03:07,280 --> 00:03:10,400 Speaker 2: laugh all the time because I'm just constantly dying laughing 60 00:03:10,440 --> 00:03:11,200 Speaker 2: whenever she's around. 61 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:12,360 Speaker 3: We always just have a good time. 62 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:14,720 Speaker 2: So I think that started at sixteen and didn't stop. 63 00:03:14,840 --> 00:03:16,959 Speaker 2: So at sixteen we met. I played on the national team, 64 00:03:17,040 --> 00:03:18,320 Speaker 2: went to you know, she went to stand Forrid went 65 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:20,760 Speaker 2: to Texas, and then we actually ended up being on 66 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:23,360 Speaker 2: the same team in Germany together in Stuttgart, so that 67 00:03:23,520 --> 00:03:26,160 Speaker 2: was like a super cool thing that we kept saying, 68 00:03:26,160 --> 00:03:28,040 Speaker 2: like our younger selves could have never imagined this. 69 00:03:28,800 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 1: Yeah. 70 00:03:29,240 --> 00:03:32,359 Speaker 4: And then this year, yes, this year we played in 71 00:03:32,440 --> 00:03:35,040 Speaker 4: au together, which Molly has played in for four years. 72 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 3: Yeah. 73 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:39,280 Speaker 4: Yeah, and I was just like, we're thirty now, like 74 00:03:39,360 --> 00:03:43,320 Speaker 4: we're double our age when we met, and we're still 75 00:03:43,320 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 4: doing the same thing together. We have managed to make 76 00:03:46,720 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 4: this keep happening. 77 00:03:47,920 --> 00:03:50,640 Speaker 3: I know, please just keep hanging out on the white wall. 78 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:54,280 Speaker 1: Yeah yeah, although now you guys are opposites, like you 79 00:03:54,280 --> 00:03:57,600 Speaker 1: guys are on competing teams. Are you guys gonna trash 80 00:03:57,600 --> 00:03:59,760 Speaker 1: talk and stuff or you think it's gonna be pretty cordial. 81 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:02,400 Speaker 4: Molly's like a robot at the net. I call her 82 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:07,400 Speaker 4: optimist Prime. She's like so serious and like I'm a 83 00:04:07,440 --> 00:04:10,160 Speaker 4: little more laid back, so I'll probably make a joke 84 00:04:10,200 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 4: and Molly will pretend not to hear me. But I 85 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 4: think that's. 86 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 2: Also why our friendship works, is that like I am 87 00:04:16,560 --> 00:04:20,560 Speaker 2: such an emotional spaz, Like on the court, I try 88 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:22,760 Speaker 2: to be very serious and focused because like I am 89 00:04:22,920 --> 00:04:25,560 Speaker 2: just my emotions are like here all of the time, 90 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:29,039 Speaker 2: whereas Mattie's like so chill and so calm and like 91 00:04:29,160 --> 00:04:31,320 Speaker 2: on the court, like that's exactly what I need from 92 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:34,920 Speaker 2: a setter too, Like it's okay, like you're gonna gonna 93 00:04:35,000 --> 00:04:35,840 Speaker 2: kill It's fine. 94 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:38,320 Speaker 3: Also, that's supposed to be fun. 95 00:04:38,279 --> 00:04:41,120 Speaker 4: Right, Yeah. I used to like not be able to 96 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:43,479 Speaker 4: set because I was laughing so hard at how high 97 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:47,480 Speaker 4: Molly's eyebrows would be getting during transition, Like I would 98 00:04:47,520 --> 00:04:49,880 Speaker 4: make eye contact with her as she's going for a slide, 99 00:04:49,880 --> 00:04:51,640 Speaker 4: and I was like, I can't set. 100 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 3: It's that serious. 101 00:04:55,680 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 5: Yeah, Oh my gosh, that's so funny. 102 00:04:59,480 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 1: So what was a moment like where you guys were 103 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:04,960 Speaker 1: kind of like did we just become best friends? 104 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:07,000 Speaker 5: Yep? Like what was that moment? 105 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:08,560 Speaker 3: I think it was. I don't know. 106 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:12,080 Speaker 2: Maddie is such a safe personality. Like I always feel 107 00:05:12,080 --> 00:05:14,240 Speaker 2: like I could have like been myself like around you, 108 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:16,919 Speaker 2: even throughout the past fifteen years of our lives, and 109 00:05:16,960 --> 00:05:19,640 Speaker 2: I've changed, We've both changed so much. I've always just 110 00:05:19,680 --> 00:05:23,599 Speaker 2: been gravitated towards this warm, safe personality that Maddie has. 111 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:26,560 Speaker 4: I think that like we probably just were standing next 112 00:05:26,600 --> 00:05:28,520 Speaker 4: to each other, and like started being like, do you 113 00:05:28,640 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 4: know what's going on? I don't know what's going on, 114 00:05:31,000 --> 00:05:33,880 Speaker 4: and like I'm so scared right now, like at holiday camp, 115 00:05:34,000 --> 00:05:36,120 Speaker 4: and then just been like do you like that boy? 116 00:05:36,200 --> 00:05:39,040 Speaker 4: I think he's cute whatever, and like neither of us 117 00:05:39,080 --> 00:05:43,719 Speaker 4: talk to anyone, and I think that's probably what started 118 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:46,280 Speaker 4: and then it just stayed that way. That just changed. 119 00:05:46,760 --> 00:05:48,680 Speaker 5: That's so funny. Well, the holidays are coming up to 120 00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:49,640 Speaker 5: you guys. Exchange gifts. 121 00:05:49,960 --> 00:05:53,360 Speaker 4: No, we're not really big gift people, but we have 122 00:05:53,440 --> 00:05:56,320 Speaker 4: been sharing books more recently, which has been fun. 123 00:05:56,680 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 1: I was going to say, not even like a book exchange, 124 00:05:58,520 --> 00:05:59,040 Speaker 1: but there you go. 125 00:05:59,320 --> 00:06:06,680 Speaker 4: Yeah, well Mollie reads at her own pace. Okay, okay, 126 00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:10,359 Speaker 4: Hi did you finish did you finish The Tale of 127 00:06:10,560 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 4: or what is it? Two Crowns? Yeah, it is amazing, 128 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 4: It's so good. Yes, love highly recommend. 129 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 2: Right, So I think like podcast music books would like 130 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:26,840 Speaker 2: share that and instead of like tangible gifts, you know 131 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:27,200 Speaker 2: what I mean. 132 00:06:27,320 --> 00:06:30,080 Speaker 4: We also both live in suitcases, so like Christmas is 133 00:06:30,120 --> 00:06:32,360 Speaker 4: so hard for me. I'm like, please don't give me stuff, 134 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:37,120 Speaker 4: Like I have two suitcases and that's it. 135 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 5: It's all you can handle. Well, now you're here in 136 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:41,480 Speaker 5: the States. 137 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:44,719 Speaker 1: You're playing with League one back in Austin, back in Atlanta. 138 00:06:45,400 --> 00:06:49,599 Speaker 1: You guys have played professionally overseas and you know, also 139 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:51,560 Speaker 1: in the States. But I'm just curious, like, what have 140 00:06:51,640 --> 00:06:54,440 Speaker 1: you noticed is the difference between those other teams and 141 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:58,159 Speaker 1: leagues and countries versus League One, and how this team 142 00:06:58,240 --> 00:06:59,880 Speaker 1: is operating and this league is operating. 143 00:07:00,040 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 4: I think there's been I mean, each league that I've 144 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:04,360 Speaker 4: played in has just been so different from each other. 145 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:06,440 Speaker 4: And a lot of that to do with just the 146 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:09,920 Speaker 4: culture of wherever you're playing, like obviously dictates a lot 147 00:07:09,960 --> 00:07:13,680 Speaker 4: about your experience. I had dinner with my parents two 148 00:07:13,840 --> 00:07:14,280 Speaker 4: nights ago. 149 00:07:14,400 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 6: I have a little bit jet lag. 150 00:07:15,640 --> 00:07:17,480 Speaker 4: I don't really know where I am, and I was 151 00:07:17,480 --> 00:07:19,920 Speaker 4: telling them I was like my low level anxiety that 152 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 4: was just always there overseas, which I think is important 153 00:07:22,880 --> 00:07:25,760 Speaker 4: to experience as a human, like being uncomfortable and needing 154 00:07:26,280 --> 00:07:29,880 Speaker 4: help from other people and learning about another place. But 155 00:07:29,960 --> 00:07:33,280 Speaker 4: that like little buzz kind of every time i'd have 156 00:07:33,320 --> 00:07:35,440 Speaker 4: to leave the house is not there, Like my brain 157 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:38,840 Speaker 4: feels a little quieter just being home, and that's really 158 00:07:38,840 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 4: really nice. 159 00:07:40,080 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 2: That's a really good point I so, yeah, I went 160 00:07:42,600 --> 00:07:45,480 Speaker 2: to Texas. I've lived in Austin before, but I haven't 161 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:47,880 Speaker 2: lived here since I graduated from college, so it's been 162 00:07:47,920 --> 00:07:50,680 Speaker 2: a long time. I've lived overseas and in the US, 163 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:53,640 Speaker 2: but not in Austin, so the city has changed for sure. 164 00:07:53,680 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 2: But I totally agree with that sentiment of like, I'm 165 00:07:56,720 --> 00:08:00,320 Speaker 2: very comfortable and I can focus on all of the 166 00:08:00,360 --> 00:08:03,040 Speaker 2: things that bring me joy during practice because my outside 167 00:08:03,080 --> 00:08:06,360 Speaker 2: life is just like super chill, and I have friends 168 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:08,680 Speaker 2: outside of the volleyball team, and I have friends on 169 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:09,400 Speaker 2: the volleyball team. 170 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:10,800 Speaker 3: You know, like I'm. 171 00:08:10,640 --> 00:08:13,560 Speaker 2: Able to have a life outside of it all, and 172 00:08:13,640 --> 00:08:16,080 Speaker 2: I know that my identity is not super wrapped up 173 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:18,040 Speaker 2: in volleyball. I think I struggled with that a long 174 00:08:18,080 --> 00:08:20,760 Speaker 2: time while I was playing overseas, and it just felt 175 00:08:20,760 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 2: like the one thing I was here to do is 176 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,480 Speaker 2: just to play volleyball. And I know that my impact, 177 00:08:25,720 --> 00:08:27,640 Speaker 2: our impact is so much larger than that, and it 178 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:31,640 Speaker 2: feels even bigger now because I'm able to connect with fans. 179 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:34,640 Speaker 2: I I'm gonna like kind of sound cocky right now, 180 00:08:34,640 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 2: but I don't mean to. 181 00:08:35,760 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 3: I got recognized in the grocery store the other day, 182 00:08:40,480 --> 00:08:41,040 Speaker 3: so cool. 183 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:43,360 Speaker 2: It was so cool and they were like, no, we 184 00:08:43,360 --> 00:08:50,360 Speaker 2: remember Texas. I'm not famous, and like, I haven't been 185 00:08:50,360 --> 00:08:52,680 Speaker 2: in this city for so long, but they recognize me 186 00:08:52,760 --> 00:08:55,240 Speaker 2: playing at Texas And then now they're like, we're so excited, 187 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 2: we bought season tickets. 188 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:59,240 Speaker 3: Like that kind of moment is really cool to have, 189 00:08:59,480 --> 00:08:59,880 Speaker 3: and I have. 190 00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:02,319 Speaker 2: I haven't really shared that much like in any other 191 00:09:02,360 --> 00:09:03,160 Speaker 2: city I've lived in. 192 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:07,840 Speaker 5: That's so cool. Yeah, Maddie, you're in Atlanta. Were you 193 00:09:08,040 --> 00:09:09,320 Speaker 5: familiar with the city at all? 194 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:11,040 Speaker 1: Or is this kind of like a new journey for 195 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:13,320 Speaker 1: you too, even though you're in the States, but a 196 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:14,920 Speaker 1: different city, different location. 197 00:09:15,360 --> 00:09:17,840 Speaker 4: My family lives in Charlotte now. My brother and sister 198 00:09:17,880 --> 00:09:20,240 Speaker 4: got jobs there after college, and so my parents. I 199 00:09:20,400 --> 00:09:22,679 Speaker 4: went to high school in Raleigh. So my parents are 200 00:09:22,720 --> 00:09:25,200 Speaker 4: both retired and we're like, we want to be where 201 00:09:25,240 --> 00:09:28,080 Speaker 4: our kids are. So it's really convenient for me now 202 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:31,520 Speaker 4: because it's four hours from Atlanta. I got to be 203 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:34,200 Speaker 4: home for Thanksgiving for the first time in thirteen years. 204 00:09:34,320 --> 00:09:38,640 Speaker 4: That was like really special and we did nothing, which 205 00:09:38,679 --> 00:09:42,240 Speaker 4: was even better. Yes, but I knew Atlanta. I mean 206 00:09:42,280 --> 00:09:45,440 Speaker 4: I had like Big South. The qualifier was always in Atlanta, 207 00:09:45,679 --> 00:09:48,520 Speaker 4: and I have multiple cousins that live in Atlanta. I 208 00:09:48,520 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 4: have a really big family. Actually, I'm going to have 209 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:55,360 Speaker 4: sixty five people at the weekend that we're hosting January thirty, 210 00:09:55,360 --> 00:09:57,360 Speaker 4: first of February. I think we have a whole section, 211 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:01,520 Speaker 4: like my dad Dog's emailing. Yeah, it's like the bugs 212 00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:03,600 Speaker 4: and then the cousins of the bugs, and we're going 213 00:10:03,679 --> 00:10:06,240 Speaker 4: to be a whole unit. And it's yeah, I'm just 214 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:08,640 Speaker 4: I don't know. I never like even knew that I 215 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:11,840 Speaker 4: could want that, which is really nice. And we live 216 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:14,880 Speaker 4: like north of Atlanta, and so it's nice because we 217 00:10:14,920 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 4: get like we actually live on a wildlife reserve. I 218 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 4: live with Kelsey Robinson, So we live on a wildlife reserve, 219 00:10:21,120 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 4: which is really nice, like very peaceful. We're next to 220 00:10:23,360 --> 00:10:25,679 Speaker 4: a little lake, and then we can go into the 221 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 4: city and be city people and do whatever. And it's 222 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:33,320 Speaker 4: just nice to have both options. But like going back 223 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:35,400 Speaker 4: to what I was saying earlier, like everything just feels 224 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:38,640 Speaker 4: easier because I'm home, you know, whereas like driving forty 225 00:10:38,679 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 4: minutes to go into the city to do something like 226 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:43,240 Speaker 4: see a play or whatever is a lot more daunting 227 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:46,720 Speaker 4: overseas versus here. I'm like that's Tuesday night. I knew that, 228 00:10:47,040 --> 00:10:47,640 Speaker 4: no problem. 229 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:52,160 Speaker 1: Well, the season's about to start first service January eighth 230 00:10:52,200 --> 00:10:53,400 Speaker 1: in Atlanta. 231 00:10:53,440 --> 00:10:54,160 Speaker 5: Are you excited. 232 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:58,200 Speaker 4: I'm super excited. We're playing Salt Lake. I'm so ready 233 00:10:58,240 --> 00:11:00,400 Speaker 4: to start playing. I've been watching all the all of 234 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:03,320 Speaker 4: my friends that are playing in like the leagues in 235 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:06,440 Speaker 4: Europe and Brazil and things like that, and I am 236 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:09,079 Speaker 4: so jealous they're already playing. I'm like chomping at a bit. 237 00:11:10,040 --> 00:11:11,480 Speaker 5: Pretty soon, pretty soon, Molly. 238 00:11:11,520 --> 00:11:14,559 Speaker 1: I know that your first game is the day after 239 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:16,600 Speaker 1: on January ninth in Houston. 240 00:11:16,920 --> 00:11:18,439 Speaker 5: Are you gonna have family go to that game? 241 00:11:18,840 --> 00:11:21,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, I've already had I don't know the count I've 242 00:11:21,440 --> 00:11:24,280 Speaker 2: already had cousins and my family and siblings and stuff. 243 00:11:24,320 --> 00:11:26,600 Speaker 2: Be like, okay, like we're getting a whole section. I 244 00:11:26,640 --> 00:11:28,680 Speaker 2: was just about to say, you're a giant group of people. 245 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:29,600 Speaker 3: You should make shirts. 246 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 2: There should be like a whole like actual uniformed unit. 247 00:11:33,480 --> 00:11:37,240 Speaker 4: They did that at college for me, and we all 248 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:38,439 Speaker 4: look exactly the same. 249 00:11:40,400 --> 00:11:40,960 Speaker 3: Please do it. 250 00:11:42,640 --> 00:11:45,319 Speaker 4: My dad has a spreadsheet of all the people that 251 00:11:45,360 --> 00:11:47,200 Speaker 4: are the family reunion. 252 00:11:47,280 --> 00:11:49,800 Speaker 3: But at Maddie's game, my dad. 253 00:11:49,679 --> 00:11:52,040 Speaker 4: Was like, can you make an appearance at the lunch 254 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:54,520 Speaker 4: and I was like, no, I am it just gave 255 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:55,360 Speaker 4: day like I did. 256 00:11:56,920 --> 00:11:58,400 Speaker 5: Are small appearance fee? 257 00:11:58,559 --> 00:12:04,520 Speaker 1: Maybe Yeah, Well, then you guys get to play each 258 00:12:04,559 --> 00:12:07,199 Speaker 1: other in week two. I mean, you guys seem very 259 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:09,640 Speaker 1: cordial and really like each other. But I gotta ask, 260 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:12,319 Speaker 1: is there any trash talk coming between you two about 261 00:12:12,360 --> 00:12:13,480 Speaker 1: which team is gonna win. 262 00:12:13,720 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 4: I'm more of like a make fun of myself than 263 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:17,439 Speaker 4: a trash talker kind of. 264 00:12:17,440 --> 00:12:19,480 Speaker 3: Person, So yeah, no, I. 265 00:12:21,200 --> 00:12:24,440 Speaker 2: Don't have a trash talking personality at all. 266 00:12:25,280 --> 00:12:27,920 Speaker 4: Well, it'll just scream the play that she knows I'm 267 00:12:28,000 --> 00:12:32,280 Speaker 4: running through the net, probably, but like I'm not trying 268 00:12:32,320 --> 00:12:33,400 Speaker 4: to surprise her. 269 00:12:34,480 --> 00:12:36,319 Speaker 3: Yeah, I also will be like, man, that. 270 00:12:36,360 --> 00:12:37,959 Speaker 2: Was a really good play about it, Like I might 271 00:12:37,960 --> 00:12:51,840 Speaker 2: even compliment her through the net before I trash talk. 272 00:12:56,360 --> 00:12:59,840 Speaker 1: All right, well, let's do a deep dive into your 273 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:02,839 Speaker 1: volleyball careers so that we can see where you guys 274 00:13:02,840 --> 00:13:05,160 Speaker 1: began and how we got to where we are today. 275 00:13:05,200 --> 00:13:07,840 Speaker 1: So let's start with the pretty obvious question, which is 276 00:13:07,880 --> 00:13:10,240 Speaker 1: how and when did you fall in love with volleyball? So, Molly, 277 00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:11,800 Speaker 1: wy don't you start This is. 278 00:13:11,800 --> 00:13:12,680 Speaker 3: The opposite of Mattie's. 279 00:13:13,800 --> 00:13:15,439 Speaker 4: I was like, oh please. 280 00:13:16,600 --> 00:13:19,160 Speaker 2: It was not love at first sight at all. I 281 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:26,199 Speaker 2: actually played. I actually played other sports, basketball and track 282 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:28,320 Speaker 2: and cheerleading. I'm the youngest of five, and so I 283 00:13:28,320 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 2: felt like my parents were just like skiing out of 284 00:13:30,280 --> 00:13:31,520 Speaker 2: the house everybody like in the. 285 00:13:31,520 --> 00:13:33,680 Speaker 3: Summers, it's all play sports, all right, here we go. 286 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:38,360 Speaker 2: And I mean I wasn't always the most athletic, but 287 00:13:38,400 --> 00:13:39,839 Speaker 2: I was fast, and I felt like I could pick 288 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:40,959 Speaker 2: up sports pretty easily. 289 00:13:40,960 --> 00:13:42,240 Speaker 3: But volleyball I could not. 290 00:13:42,520 --> 00:13:46,080 Speaker 2: Like I was really struggling. It was really bad. And 291 00:13:46,120 --> 00:13:49,439 Speaker 2: I made the B team in seventh grade and I 292 00:13:49,480 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 2: begged my parents, like, please don't take me to practice, 293 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:55,679 Speaker 2: like this is awful and I'm embarrassed. 294 00:13:56,040 --> 00:13:57,760 Speaker 4: There's a lot of limbs to deal with. 295 00:13:58,240 --> 00:14:00,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, right, Like I couldn't run normally until I was 296 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:05,439 Speaker 2: like in college. So I made a club team, the 297 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:07,840 Speaker 2: first team in like the A team or whatever in 298 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 2: club and I was fourteen, and I didn't play all 299 00:14:11,559 --> 00:14:14,440 Speaker 2: year because I had so much to learn. But I 300 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:16,760 Speaker 2: had a wonderful coach and wonderful teammates that were just 301 00:14:16,800 --> 00:14:19,760 Speaker 2: like trust the process, like you have all the tools. 302 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:24,520 Speaker 2: There's like not clicking right now, but they will and slowly. 303 00:14:24,560 --> 00:14:27,720 Speaker 2: But I honestly think that the reason why I love 304 00:14:27,760 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 2: this sport has always been because of the people and like, 305 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:34,200 Speaker 2: of course the game itself, Like it's such a fun 306 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:38,240 Speaker 2: team based sport, but like it's so funny that it 307 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:40,400 Speaker 2: took me a long time to get over the hump 308 00:14:40,440 --> 00:14:43,120 Speaker 2: of you know, you're not going to be perfect, and 309 00:14:43,160 --> 00:14:44,400 Speaker 2: I'm still very much not. 310 00:14:44,400 --> 00:14:45,360 Speaker 3: Perfect at that sport. 311 00:14:45,800 --> 00:14:46,520 Speaker 4: How do you do that? 312 00:14:48,560 --> 00:14:52,920 Speaker 2: I talked with a therapist now, but yeah, that's my 313 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:57,200 Speaker 2: that's my key there. So it's I have sense like 314 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:00,280 Speaker 2: fallen in love with the sport. Obviously I'm still playing 315 00:15:00,280 --> 00:15:01,960 Speaker 2: at age thirty, but there also was a time at 316 00:15:01,960 --> 00:15:03,920 Speaker 2: twenty five that I was like, maybe this is too 317 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:06,400 Speaker 2: much Mollyball in my life, and then I came back 318 00:15:06,440 --> 00:15:08,800 Speaker 2: to it again and was like, no, this is truly 319 00:15:09,760 --> 00:15:12,280 Speaker 2: such a wonderful community and it gives me so much 320 00:15:12,320 --> 00:15:14,520 Speaker 2: and the corporate life I'm truly not ready for. 321 00:15:14,760 --> 00:15:17,880 Speaker 3: So this is the best job I've ever had. 322 00:15:17,960 --> 00:15:19,440 Speaker 2: So I'm going to hold on to this for as 323 00:15:19,480 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 2: long as I can because it's truly. 324 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:23,320 Speaker 3: Amazing that you Maddy. 325 00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:25,400 Speaker 4: Yeah, I the first time I was on a plane, 326 00:15:25,400 --> 00:15:29,000 Speaker 4: I was six weeks old, going to my mom's tournament 327 00:15:29,040 --> 00:15:31,160 Speaker 4: because my mom was a coach when I was born. 328 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 4: Her and my dad were running a club called North 329 00:15:33,080 --> 00:15:38,280 Speaker 4: Dallas Juniors, and she's coached my whole childhood and she'd 330 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:40,640 Speaker 4: just retired a couple of years ago. So I just like, 331 00:15:40,720 --> 00:15:43,280 Speaker 4: I mean, I grew up like I wanted to be 332 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:46,840 Speaker 4: cool like the girls that my mom coached, and I 333 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:48,720 Speaker 4: would like ride around the ball cart and hand my 334 00:15:48,760 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 4: mom balls and every time I'd like try to serve 335 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:53,960 Speaker 4: it all over the net. I was like the timeout entertainment. 336 00:15:54,360 --> 00:15:57,440 Speaker 4: My dad never forced me. I forced my dad to 337 00:15:57,440 --> 00:16:00,840 Speaker 4: pepper with me for hours and hours hours. He's a 338 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:05,120 Speaker 4: saint for that. And then I think I joined a 339 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:08,440 Speaker 4: team for the first time. I was ten and my 340 00:16:08,480 --> 00:16:11,520 Speaker 4: mom was the coach, and I was like, I was 341 00:16:11,600 --> 00:16:14,200 Speaker 4: so skinny, and I was the only one that could 342 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:16,680 Speaker 4: set because I had just seen people set, so I 343 00:16:16,760 --> 00:16:19,520 Speaker 4: knew what to do. But I couldn't push the ball 344 00:16:19,560 --> 00:16:21,800 Speaker 4: all the way out to the pin. No ten year 345 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:25,840 Speaker 4: old can. And my mom just like would not accept that. 346 00:16:25,880 --> 00:16:28,080 Speaker 4: She was like, it has to get out there, like 347 00:16:28,120 --> 00:16:30,920 Speaker 4: the ball has to go. And I was like, I 348 00:16:30,960 --> 00:16:33,560 Speaker 4: don't know how long it's going to be with me 349 00:16:33,680 --> 00:16:38,040 Speaker 4: playing for my mom, but I do like volleyball. But 350 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:41,960 Speaker 4: she coached me for three years after that, so oh wow. Yeah, 351 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:45,160 Speaker 4: she coached me one year and then my two first 352 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:47,600 Speaker 4: eighteen years. But yeah, it was just like always there. 353 00:16:47,640 --> 00:16:50,320 Speaker 4: I loved it. I've always felt the most myself on 354 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:53,400 Speaker 4: the court. I don't know how many jobs can make 355 00:16:53,440 --> 00:16:57,400 Speaker 4: you like scream and cry and laugh. I feel like 356 00:16:57,400 --> 00:16:59,960 Speaker 4: you're on top of the world, feel like the worst 357 00:17:00,040 --> 00:17:03,360 Speaker 4: person ever, Like you just get the full spectrum of 358 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:07,800 Speaker 4: everything that emotions have to offer and although sometimes painful, 359 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:09,600 Speaker 4: like that's such a gift. 360 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:12,879 Speaker 5: Congrats to your mom for retiring recently. 361 00:17:12,960 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 1: I mean that's a super long career because I saw 362 00:17:14,960 --> 00:17:17,160 Speaker 1: she was a three time All American at Tennessee. 363 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:18,600 Speaker 3: Right she's a legend. 364 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:22,760 Speaker 4: I don't remember how many times, but she has She's 365 00:17:23,400 --> 00:17:27,639 Speaker 4: had two blocking records and one of them has been broken, 366 00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:29,560 Speaker 4: but I think she still holds one record. She's in 367 00:17:29,600 --> 00:17:31,679 Speaker 4: the Hall of Fame at the University of Tennessee. 368 00:17:31,760 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 5: Yeah, that's amazing, badass mom right there. 369 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:36,200 Speaker 1: I feel like a lot of the girls that I've 370 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:40,120 Speaker 1: interviewed have moms who are just like amazing women who 371 00:17:40,119 --> 00:17:43,120 Speaker 1: have inspired them to like be great, which is why 372 00:17:43,160 --> 00:17:45,960 Speaker 1: you guys are also playing professional volleyball and still kicking ass, 373 00:17:46,720 --> 00:17:49,399 Speaker 1: just like so amazed by all all all the moms 374 00:17:49,440 --> 00:17:50,919 Speaker 1: in this like world. 375 00:17:52,000 --> 00:17:55,240 Speaker 5: Did you ever take your mom's career. 376 00:17:54,960 --> 00:17:58,000 Speaker 1: As like a volleyball player coach and kind of use 377 00:17:58,040 --> 00:18:02,080 Speaker 1: that as inspiration or competition, you know, like I want 378 00:18:02,119 --> 00:18:03,600 Speaker 1: to be better than my mom or was it kind 379 00:18:03,640 --> 00:18:04,520 Speaker 1: of just more. 380 00:18:05,600 --> 00:18:10,240 Speaker 4: She's different positions so it was easier to not compare. 381 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:13,239 Speaker 4: I'm don't tell everybody in the league, but I'm not 382 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:16,840 Speaker 4: the world's best blocker, and my mom's just like naturally 383 00:18:16,840 --> 00:18:20,639 Speaker 4: a really good blocker, and my mom can't set at all. 384 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:24,160 Speaker 4: So I actually think I got my ability to set 385 00:18:24,200 --> 00:18:26,360 Speaker 4: for my dad. He played a lot of like grass 386 00:18:26,400 --> 00:18:29,840 Speaker 4: and beach and stuff. But no, it was never like 387 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:33,480 Speaker 4: competition or anything. I mean, I was grateful to my mom, 388 00:18:33,520 --> 00:18:37,680 Speaker 4: and I like loved hearing all her stories about because 389 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:40,520 Speaker 4: she was like that first generation that benefited from Title nine, 390 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:44,399 Speaker 4: and so I loved hearing all those stories and the 391 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,840 Speaker 4: horror stories that happened because there were a lot. But yeah, 392 00:18:47,880 --> 00:18:50,520 Speaker 4: I was actually I got emotional talking about this the 393 00:18:50,560 --> 00:18:54,520 Speaker 4: other day because I was like, obviously, this is the 394 00:18:54,520 --> 00:18:56,480 Speaker 4: first year of this league, and there's things that are 395 00:18:56,880 --> 00:18:59,919 Speaker 4: gonna change and get better, and there are things that 396 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:04,199 Speaker 4: are perfect now. But like it's the first time that 397 00:19:04,240 --> 00:19:06,880 Speaker 4: I really really relate to my mom where I'm like, oh, 398 00:19:06,920 --> 00:19:08,679 Speaker 4: this is how it must have felt for you, like 399 00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:11,280 Speaker 4: starting in college, because college was like a paved path 400 00:19:11,359 --> 00:19:14,399 Speaker 4: for us. Like it was hard because the job is hard, 401 00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:18,800 Speaker 4: but it wasn't hard because we were creating it. And 402 00:19:19,280 --> 00:19:22,760 Speaker 4: I think their version of college is how maybe we're 403 00:19:23,560 --> 00:19:27,960 Speaker 4: experiencing the beginning of this league and like establishing something 404 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 4: that will go on for generations. And that definitely makes 405 00:19:31,040 --> 00:19:32,880 Speaker 4: me emotional, very grateful. 406 00:19:33,320 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, you should be excited about that, being like the 407 00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:38,639 Speaker 1: first faces of the league, you know, and getting recognized 408 00:19:38,680 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 1: in the grocery store in Texas, right, I mean, it's 409 00:19:42,000 --> 00:19:46,040 Speaker 1: all stepping stones, all exciting things now, Mollie, because you 410 00:19:46,160 --> 00:19:49,440 Speaker 1: started so late in volleyball, I feel like, you know, 411 00:19:49,480 --> 00:19:51,080 Speaker 1: I've talked about this with some of the other girls, 412 00:19:51,080 --> 00:19:53,640 Speaker 1: how there's kind of like this stigma sometimes with youth 413 00:19:53,720 --> 00:19:57,199 Speaker 1: sports where if you are not you know, playing sports 414 00:19:57,200 --> 00:20:00,040 Speaker 1: since you're like six or eight, that some girls I 415 00:20:00,040 --> 00:20:04,000 Speaker 1: don't want to boys and girls are afraid to kind 416 00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:06,800 Speaker 1: of jump into a new sport at a later age. 417 00:20:07,040 --> 00:20:08,160 Speaker 5: Did you ever feel that way? 418 00:20:09,280 --> 00:20:10,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, of course, of course. 419 00:20:11,080 --> 00:20:14,040 Speaker 2: I think the devil of comparison was so prevalent at 420 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:16,199 Speaker 2: that age, and it's I feel like it might be 421 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:19,399 Speaker 2: getting worse too, because club, You know, it's so normal 422 00:20:19,480 --> 00:20:22,080 Speaker 2: for players to start at nine ten years old and 423 00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:25,600 Speaker 2: then be on the top teams and then be recognized 424 00:20:25,680 --> 00:20:27,199 Speaker 2: and then they just like stay on the top. So 425 00:20:27,320 --> 00:20:29,760 Speaker 2: like squeeze your way into the top is so hard, 426 00:20:29,920 --> 00:20:30,520 Speaker 2: or you have to. 427 00:20:30,520 --> 00:20:32,280 Speaker 3: Be like six eight and then you'll be in the head. 428 00:20:32,320 --> 00:20:35,400 Speaker 3: But that's not gifted to everybody, literally, yes. 429 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:41,159 Speaker 2: And I just I don't think that we should commit 430 00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:43,280 Speaker 2: ourselves to one sport. I don't think we should commit 431 00:20:43,320 --> 00:20:46,480 Speaker 2: ourselves to one position. I think that's crazy, like to 432 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:50,080 Speaker 2: be more athletic, man, I wish that I played more positions. 433 00:20:50,440 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 2: Nobody wants to play middle. I know that there's a 434 00:20:52,640 --> 00:20:57,239 Speaker 2: middle shortage in youth volleyball right now, but I I 435 00:20:57,320 --> 00:21:00,639 Speaker 2: just feel like to pigeonhole yourself at like such a 436 00:21:00,680 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 2: young age and to compare yourself to other people's stages 437 00:21:04,640 --> 00:21:08,280 Speaker 2: of where they are in volleyball is ludicrous. Like I 438 00:21:08,359 --> 00:21:12,520 Speaker 2: actually think it still applies to you know at age thirty, 439 00:21:12,720 --> 00:21:15,160 Speaker 2: like there are moms coming back after three years who 440 00:21:15,160 --> 00:21:18,600 Speaker 2: are good, if not better than they were before. Like 441 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:22,119 Speaker 2: there's no age limit to like, sure, maybe you're not 442 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:23,720 Speaker 2: playing volleyball at fifty five. 443 00:21:23,960 --> 00:21:26,080 Speaker 3: You know that's not happening, but like there is a 444 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:30,080 Speaker 3: maybe you know grass or beach. Yeah, yet it carched. 445 00:21:30,080 --> 00:21:31,959 Speaker 2: How old was carch I mean he was good for 446 00:21:32,000 --> 00:21:34,480 Speaker 2: a very very long time, So I don't know. But 447 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:37,639 Speaker 2: you know, at fifteen sixteen, people like, oh, it's too 448 00:21:37,720 --> 00:21:40,560 Speaker 2: late to try volleyball. I'm like, that's crazy talk. Like 449 00:21:40,760 --> 00:21:42,000 Speaker 2: I just feel like you. 450 00:21:41,960 --> 00:21:42,399 Speaker 3: Can pick this. 451 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:45,000 Speaker 2: I know so many especially on the on the boy's side, 452 00:21:45,440 --> 00:21:48,160 Speaker 2: so many athletes that were like no, I just picked 453 00:21:48,160 --> 00:21:50,200 Speaker 2: this up my senior year and thought it was super fun, 454 00:21:50,440 --> 00:21:53,600 Speaker 2: And now I'm an Ashtabian at uc I like I'm 455 00:21:53,640 --> 00:21:56,040 Speaker 2: just like wait, what, Like that's insane to me because 456 00:21:56,200 --> 00:21:59,280 Speaker 2: in girls volleyball it's like so structured. You go to 457 00:21:59,400 --> 00:22:01,840 Speaker 2: nationals trying to get an open bit and it's like 458 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:04,680 Speaker 2: this is your entire life and then it like truly 459 00:22:04,720 --> 00:22:06,960 Speaker 2: doesn't have to be that serious. You can try other sports. 460 00:22:07,040 --> 00:22:09,880 Speaker 2: You can also love other sports and continue playing them, 461 00:22:09,920 --> 00:22:14,680 Speaker 2: like volleyball shouldn't be your entire life, because that is 462 00:22:15,000 --> 00:22:15,840 Speaker 2: not sustainable. 463 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:16,919 Speaker 3: We've tried. 464 00:22:18,359 --> 00:22:22,040 Speaker 2: And there is no time limit to this into falling 465 00:22:22,080 --> 00:22:23,640 Speaker 2: in love with volleyball and being good at it. 466 00:22:24,520 --> 00:22:27,720 Speaker 5: So obviously you two were very good at this sport. 467 00:22:27,920 --> 00:22:30,760 Speaker 1: So can you talk about how you guys ended up 468 00:22:30,800 --> 00:22:34,359 Speaker 1: on the US youth national team and what that experience 469 00:22:34,520 --> 00:22:34,800 Speaker 1: was like. 470 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:39,440 Speaker 4: So after the first big tryout and like once your 471 00:22:39,520 --> 00:22:42,399 Speaker 4: name is like kind of in the system, like you 472 00:22:42,440 --> 00:22:45,120 Speaker 4: start getting askeds if you do well, like they ask 473 00:22:45,200 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 4: you to come back for like the next camp, and 474 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:50,840 Speaker 4: so then it's that part was really fun, like two 475 00:22:50,960 --> 00:22:53,080 Speaker 4: or three years down the line, because you're like seeing 476 00:22:53,080 --> 00:22:54,680 Speaker 4: this group of friends that you don't get to see 477 00:22:54,800 --> 00:22:57,680 Speaker 4: very often, and like, I mean, you're playing a lot 478 00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:00,760 Speaker 4: of volleyball, but you're also like playing cards, just hanging out, 479 00:23:01,200 --> 00:23:05,720 Speaker 4: eating massive amounts of spaghetti. It's the lunch hole and stuff. 480 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:12,439 Speaker 4: But and like trying to find Michael Phelps. Yes, annoy 481 00:23:12,440 --> 00:23:15,200 Speaker 4: I had, Yeah, yeah, poor guy. 482 00:23:16,000 --> 00:23:17,879 Speaker 5: But uh, did you ever find him? 483 00:23:18,280 --> 00:23:21,200 Speaker 3: Yeah? Yeah, he was really annoyed. 484 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:24,600 Speaker 4: But I mean I don't blame him at all. Yeah, 485 00:23:24,680 --> 00:23:27,400 Speaker 4: he's like we were super serious. He's eating like eight 486 00:23:27,400 --> 00:23:30,159 Speaker 4: thousand calories just so he can swim for seven hours 487 00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:35,400 Speaker 4: every day. And the kids in the lunch room were like, look, yeah, 488 00:23:35,480 --> 00:23:38,040 Speaker 4: it was just like a one tryal. I don't know 489 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:42,040 Speaker 4: if my mom found it or my club coach said something, 490 00:23:42,720 --> 00:23:44,000 Speaker 4: do you remember how you're started? 491 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:47,280 Speaker 2: I'm pretty sure my club coach suggested it to my 492 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:49,960 Speaker 2: mom and my mom was like, oh, that sounds like 493 00:23:50,000 --> 00:23:53,199 Speaker 2: something serious, like she needs to do that, and like 494 00:23:53,240 --> 00:23:56,120 Speaker 2: my mom, like I nobody in my family played bolleyball, 495 00:23:56,160 --> 00:23:59,320 Speaker 2: like we were all just guessing at what happens next. 496 00:23:59,720 --> 00:24:02,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, And there was a like in. 497 00:24:02,800 --> 00:24:06,399 Speaker 2: Dallas, so about four hours away from home. We there 498 00:24:06,480 --> 00:24:09,359 Speaker 2: was like a region tryout, right, and so I went there. 499 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:11,720 Speaker 2: My mom and I drove there and it was like 500 00:24:11,720 --> 00:24:14,159 Speaker 2: a couple hours long. But I remember like pinning the 501 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:18,879 Speaker 2: paper number to your shirt, your cotton shirt, and I 502 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:22,600 Speaker 2: remember hitting some slides and they were like that looks weird, 503 00:24:22,680 --> 00:24:28,479 Speaker 2: but it works. And I just kept getting invited to things, 504 00:24:28,560 --> 00:24:30,680 Speaker 2: and it was the coolest thing ever. 505 00:24:30,760 --> 00:24:34,720 Speaker 3: Because my high school team was fun. 506 00:24:34,840 --> 00:24:37,679 Speaker 2: We weren't very good my club team in Houston at 507 00:24:37,720 --> 00:24:40,720 Speaker 2: the time, like club teams were like folding and then 508 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:43,000 Speaker 2: popping up and then folding. So it was never like 509 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:46,960 Speaker 2: a stagnant like team that you're part of our club. 510 00:24:47,080 --> 00:24:50,919 Speaker 2: So it was really hard to like get really solid 511 00:24:51,440 --> 00:24:53,240 Speaker 2: coaching and have really high level teammates. 512 00:24:53,280 --> 00:24:53,439 Speaker 3: You know. 513 00:24:53,480 --> 00:24:56,680 Speaker 2: I did have awesome coaches, but the coaches at that 514 00:24:56,840 --> 00:24:59,000 Speaker 2: level were just so experienced, and I felt like I 515 00:24:59,040 --> 00:25:01,240 Speaker 2: learned so much and then also so like just to 516 00:25:01,280 --> 00:25:03,919 Speaker 2: play with other high level athletes at that age like 517 00:25:04,640 --> 00:25:09,360 Speaker 2: totally accelerates your skill set. So I wouldn't have known 518 00:25:09,480 --> 00:25:11,520 Speaker 2: unless my club coach said something to my mom. My 519 00:25:11,560 --> 00:25:14,160 Speaker 2: mom was like, oh, Okay, that's like how she gets 520 00:25:14,160 --> 00:25:17,240 Speaker 2: recruited because this there's this thing you get recruited for 521 00:25:17,320 --> 00:25:18,560 Speaker 2: college and you can get free. 522 00:25:18,440 --> 00:25:22,040 Speaker 3: College somehow, which sounds nice to us. I was like, yeah, 523 00:25:22,160 --> 00:25:22,600 Speaker 3: that's right. 524 00:25:24,680 --> 00:25:27,240 Speaker 1: So then, I mean, obviously having the US national team 525 00:25:27,440 --> 00:25:30,120 Speaker 1: on your resume helped to get into college, but what 526 00:25:30,240 --> 00:25:34,879 Speaker 1: made you each decide to go to Stanford and Texas respectively? 527 00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:38,960 Speaker 2: So I actually, so I'm from Houston. Obviously, Austin's super close. 528 00:25:39,400 --> 00:25:42,359 Speaker 2: I went on a visit because it's easy to get there, 529 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:45,600 Speaker 2: and I actually did not love it at first. I 530 00:25:45,760 --> 00:25:49,600 Speaker 2: was so scared and intimidated by those athletes and was 531 00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:53,320 Speaker 2: like surely I can't go here. And so I actually 532 00:25:53,320 --> 00:25:56,000 Speaker 2: grew up in Indiana, like a suburb of Chicago, and 533 00:25:56,320 --> 00:26:00,000 Speaker 2: my sister went to IU, and so I adore myself 534 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:01,480 Speaker 2: and looked up to her. So I was like, I 535 00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:03,440 Speaker 2: want to go to EU because she did. And it's 536 00:26:03,440 --> 00:26:06,679 Speaker 2: a lovely campus. The coaches were great, but you know, 537 00:26:06,760 --> 00:26:09,320 Speaker 2: after so many conversations with my club coaches, my mom 538 00:26:09,359 --> 00:26:11,880 Speaker 2: and my dad, it was like no, but like you're 539 00:26:12,000 --> 00:26:14,200 Speaker 2: kind of good at this volleyable thing, and if Texas 540 00:26:14,200 --> 00:26:16,880 Speaker 2: were looking at you, like you should go because it's 541 00:26:16,880 --> 00:26:20,159 Speaker 2: pretty awesome. And I committed my sophomore year, which is 542 00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:22,000 Speaker 2: way too early. I'm so happy that you can't do 543 00:26:22,080 --> 00:26:24,879 Speaker 2: that now, because that it was crazy. Nobody else in 544 00:26:24,920 --> 00:26:26,919 Speaker 2: my class had committed at that time either, so I 545 00:26:27,000 --> 00:26:28,920 Speaker 2: was just like, I don't know, I'm. 546 00:26:28,840 --> 00:26:31,400 Speaker 3: Blessed to be here, so let's do it. 547 00:26:31,400 --> 00:26:34,280 Speaker 2: It ended up being awesome, obviously, but that was a 548 00:26:34,280 --> 00:26:38,439 Speaker 2: wild gamble, and I'm so happy that I came in 549 00:26:38,480 --> 00:26:41,639 Speaker 2: with the class that I did, Like we're still so close, 550 00:26:41,840 --> 00:26:43,919 Speaker 2: like I'm hanging out with one of them later today. 551 00:26:44,080 --> 00:26:46,600 Speaker 2: Like for me, it was about the people, and of 552 00:26:46,680 --> 00:26:49,439 Speaker 2: course I wanted to go to a school that was 553 00:26:49,800 --> 00:26:52,280 Speaker 2: in the runnings but hadn't won yet. 554 00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:55,440 Speaker 3: That was one thing I was like, you know, Texas. 555 00:26:55,080 --> 00:26:59,000 Speaker 2: Has I want to like do this in spite of 556 00:26:59,040 --> 00:27:03,760 Speaker 2: everybody now, but I yeah, it was like they were 557 00:27:03,760 --> 00:27:06,239 Speaker 2: on the cusp. And then my freshman year we won, 558 00:27:06,359 --> 00:27:09,760 Speaker 2: and that is wild to just hop into a program 559 00:27:09,800 --> 00:27:12,159 Speaker 2: and then be like, well we won, Like look at 560 00:27:12,200 --> 00:27:15,680 Speaker 2: what we did, guys, and it's like generations of work 561 00:27:15,800 --> 00:27:18,000 Speaker 2: just to get to that national championship. So it definitely 562 00:27:18,000 --> 00:27:21,600 Speaker 2: wasn't my little freshman self coming in, but I I 563 00:27:21,640 --> 00:27:23,000 Speaker 2: really loved my time at Texas. 564 00:27:23,119 --> 00:27:23,600 Speaker 3: It was great. 565 00:27:24,240 --> 00:27:27,480 Speaker 4: You're a pretty big part of that national championship. Don't 566 00:27:27,560 --> 00:27:29,159 Speaker 4: undersell it. Thanks. 567 00:27:29,359 --> 00:27:31,720 Speaker 3: Thanks. I was Louie freshman. 568 00:27:33,480 --> 00:27:34,199 Speaker 4: Held it together. 569 00:27:34,760 --> 00:27:38,040 Speaker 3: Yeah, I didn't cry on the court, So yeah untill 570 00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:39,440 Speaker 3: me won until we went. 571 00:27:39,359 --> 00:27:43,360 Speaker 1: Yeah what about you, Maddie let me to choose Stanford. 572 00:27:44,800 --> 00:27:48,560 Speaker 4: I we were living in New Hampshire at the time 573 00:27:48,600 --> 00:27:50,840 Speaker 4: and my mom was coaching a high school team and 574 00:27:51,480 --> 00:27:53,840 Speaker 4: she took them to go see I think he was 575 00:27:53,840 --> 00:27:58,240 Speaker 4: Boston College play a preseason match against Stanford and Stanford 576 00:27:58,280 --> 00:28:02,040 Speaker 4: won the match. So I think I was eleven, and 577 00:28:02,119 --> 00:28:04,040 Speaker 4: I was like, well, I want to go to Stanford. 578 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:04,879 Speaker 4: I didn't even know. 579 00:28:04,920 --> 00:28:05,359 Speaker 3: I don't know. 580 00:28:05,840 --> 00:28:09,719 Speaker 4: I think I barely knew where California was, and I 581 00:28:09,760 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 4: didn't really know what college volleyball was or what college was. 582 00:28:15,840 --> 00:28:17,920 Speaker 4: But then I just like kept saying it, and everybody 583 00:28:18,040 --> 00:28:20,159 Speaker 4: was very impressed whenever I would say it, and I 584 00:28:20,200 --> 00:28:21,760 Speaker 4: was like, oh, I think this is a good thing. 585 00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:27,640 Speaker 4: And then I remember we moved to North Carolina and 586 00:28:28,560 --> 00:28:31,000 Speaker 4: I played with a lot of the same girls for 587 00:28:31,280 --> 00:28:35,399 Speaker 4: a bunch of years, and my Liverera was one of 588 00:28:35,440 --> 00:28:38,240 Speaker 4: my closest friends, and I always said like I was 589 00:28:38,280 --> 00:28:39,920 Speaker 4: going to go to Stanford, and she wanted to go 590 00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:45,680 Speaker 4: to UNC, and she she was like, Maddie, I googled 591 00:28:45,720 --> 00:28:49,560 Speaker 4: Stanford last night. Do you know where it is? It 592 00:28:49,640 --> 00:28:57,000 Speaker 4: is all the way across the country. And I was like, really, yeah, 593 00:28:57,160 --> 00:28:59,200 Speaker 4: I was just playing And then I just kept telling 594 00:28:59,240 --> 00:29:03,040 Speaker 4: people that. But it was like manifest I mean, I 595 00:29:03,040 --> 00:29:06,520 Speaker 4: definitely like worked hard in school and like worked hard 596 00:29:06,520 --> 00:29:10,200 Speaker 4: at volleyball and stuff, but I think there was some manifesting. 597 00:29:10,440 --> 00:29:14,680 Speaker 4: Definitely a lot of luck, and I like visited a 598 00:29:14,720 --> 00:29:17,480 Speaker 4: couple of colleges. I really loved you, dub I really 599 00:29:17,560 --> 00:29:21,400 Speaker 4: loved Florida. I liked Texas, but they wanted Chloe Collins, 600 00:29:21,400 --> 00:29:24,480 Speaker 4: which I understand because I also love Chloe Collins. I 601 00:29:24,560 --> 00:29:27,040 Speaker 4: was so jealous when Molly and Chloe were going to 602 00:29:27,040 --> 00:29:30,120 Speaker 4: school together. But I visited Stanford and I was like, Oh, 603 00:29:30,160 --> 00:29:34,200 Speaker 4: this just like feels right, this feels like where I belong. 604 00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:37,080 Speaker 5: Logan Tom went to Stanford, didn't. 605 00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:38,240 Speaker 4: She She did. 606 00:29:38,800 --> 00:29:42,000 Speaker 1: Yeah, she was like my inspiration when I was growing up. 607 00:29:42,120 --> 00:29:44,040 Speaker 5: I like Logan Tom was my. 608 00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:46,840 Speaker 1: What I want to be. But I'm five to three, 609 00:29:46,880 --> 00:29:48,520 Speaker 1: so there's no way was I actually going to be 610 00:29:48,560 --> 00:29:50,200 Speaker 1: like her position or anything like that. 611 00:29:50,240 --> 00:29:54,480 Speaker 4: But just she was amazing and like, actually I got 612 00:29:54,480 --> 00:29:56,960 Speaker 4: to obviously didn't play with her, but I got to 613 00:29:58,120 --> 00:30:02,040 Speaker 4: kind of play with her in this like movie that 614 00:30:02,080 --> 00:30:04,360 Speaker 4: we were in in China. It was about it was 615 00:30:04,400 --> 00:30:08,560 Speaker 4: about the Chinese national team. Yeah, this is my fun fact. 616 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:10,960 Speaker 4: Anytime that I like need to introduce myself in a 617 00:30:11,000 --> 00:30:15,760 Speaker 4: circle and you have to do that, like ice breaking. Yeah, 618 00:30:15,920 --> 00:30:17,920 Speaker 4: I was a stunt double in a movie in China. 619 00:30:18,080 --> 00:30:21,000 Speaker 4: It was about their national team and Jenny Lingping and 620 00:30:21,360 --> 00:30:25,680 Speaker 4: they were like recreating scenes from the Olympics in Beijing 621 00:30:26,440 --> 00:30:30,440 Speaker 4: and they needed volleyball players. They wanted Logan Tom and 622 00:30:30,440 --> 00:30:32,680 Speaker 4: then I basically was just setting falls for her to 623 00:30:32,760 --> 00:30:35,880 Speaker 4: hit and they were filming it. But we spent two 624 00:30:35,920 --> 00:30:39,280 Speaker 4: weeks in China, and I mean we filmed for most 625 00:30:39,360 --> 00:30:43,600 Speaker 4: of the time. It was actually exhausting, but just getting 626 00:30:43,600 --> 00:30:46,240 Speaker 4: to talk to her about volleyball was really really cool. 627 00:30:46,960 --> 00:30:53,040 Speaker 4: I was trying to play it cool, but I was like, fangirl, yeah, 628 00:30:53,760 --> 00:30:58,000 Speaker 4: so cool. That's the place that volleyball. 629 00:30:57,560 --> 00:31:13,840 Speaker 6: Has taken me. 630 00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:17,760 Speaker 1: Well, speaking of the places that volleyball has taken you, 631 00:31:17,760 --> 00:31:21,000 Speaker 1: you both then obviously went professional, So what made you 632 00:31:21,040 --> 00:31:22,880 Speaker 1: decide to take that next step. 633 00:31:23,680 --> 00:31:27,760 Speaker 2: I also wasn't fully aware that pro volleyball was a thing. 634 00:31:27,800 --> 00:31:29,120 Speaker 3: Until like my senior year. 635 00:31:29,200 --> 00:31:31,560 Speaker 2: I felt like it was like not or like people 636 00:31:31,560 --> 00:31:33,440 Speaker 2: would graduate and I was like, where'd she go? Would 637 00:31:33,440 --> 00:31:37,360 Speaker 2: be like some obscure country, like what? And there are 638 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:39,400 Speaker 2: so many Texas alumni, as. 639 00:31:39,280 --> 00:31:41,280 Speaker 3: You know, nine of them are on this team right now. 640 00:31:41,280 --> 00:31:47,760 Speaker 2: We're aware many Longhorns continue playing after college. So I 641 00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:50,440 Speaker 2: didn't think about it for a long time. And then 642 00:31:50,920 --> 00:31:54,600 Speaker 2: after I finished, I was like, what how do I 643 00:31:54,640 --> 00:31:55,240 Speaker 2: get over there? 644 00:31:55,400 --> 00:31:57,200 Speaker 3: You know, I have to like find an agent and. 645 00:31:57,920 --> 00:32:01,800 Speaker 2: I don't know it's I absolutely adore playing professional bollyball 646 00:32:01,840 --> 00:32:04,640 Speaker 2: in the US, and I want to and to like retire, 647 00:32:05,400 --> 00:32:08,480 Speaker 2: But I think that coming out out of college, especially 648 00:32:08,640 --> 00:32:11,240 Speaker 2: such a such a school like Texas, like we get 649 00:32:11,280 --> 00:32:13,880 Speaker 2: a lot of things handed to us. We have a 650 00:32:13,960 --> 00:32:15,880 Speaker 2: ton of money of that that school. We have so 651 00:32:15,920 --> 00:32:18,680 Speaker 2: many resources. We have so many people on staff just 652 00:32:18,720 --> 00:32:21,440 Speaker 2: helping you do this one thing. Like it's it's crazy 653 00:32:21,480 --> 00:32:24,680 Speaker 2: and it's amazing. That transition from college to pro I 654 00:32:24,680 --> 00:32:27,280 Speaker 2: think is necessary for you to like mature as a 655 00:32:27,320 --> 00:32:31,920 Speaker 2: volleyball player professionally. Sorry, living overseas, being a foreigner at 656 00:32:31,920 --> 00:32:33,840 Speaker 2: one point, I think is really important in your life, 657 00:32:33,840 --> 00:32:38,240 Speaker 2: like Maddie was saying earlier, and just getting uncomfortable and 658 00:32:38,280 --> 00:32:41,800 Speaker 2: playing a new style of volleyball. You know, you were 659 00:32:42,160 --> 00:32:44,320 Speaker 2: known as this kind of hitter in college, but then 660 00:32:44,400 --> 00:32:46,080 Speaker 2: that's not what this team needs, so you have to 661 00:32:46,160 --> 00:32:49,360 Speaker 2: change and be this kind of hitter. Just being adaptable 662 00:32:49,640 --> 00:32:52,200 Speaker 2: and then finding out about yourself, like who are the 663 00:32:52,240 --> 00:32:54,200 Speaker 2: people that you gravitate towards? Like what do you want 664 00:32:54,240 --> 00:32:57,080 Speaker 2: to do outside of volleyball? Like there's so many things 665 00:32:57,080 --> 00:33:00,520 Speaker 2: that you have to answer whenever you go overseas that 666 00:33:00,600 --> 00:33:03,480 Speaker 2: I think this comfortable life I almost feel like we 667 00:33:03,520 --> 00:33:05,520 Speaker 2: like earned it, Maddieattie. 668 00:33:05,600 --> 00:33:07,920 Speaker 3: For sure, I didn't play especially as long. 669 00:33:08,240 --> 00:33:13,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, but I think this is such a comfortable life 670 00:33:13,160 --> 00:33:16,840 Speaker 2: and we now appreciate it so much more because it's 671 00:33:16,880 --> 00:33:19,400 Speaker 2: not like we'd lived a terrible life overseas, but it's uncomfortable. 672 00:33:19,920 --> 00:33:23,000 Speaker 4: I echo that, like I I don't want this to 673 00:33:23,080 --> 00:33:26,240 Speaker 4: sound the wrong way, but like in going to Stanford, 674 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:30,880 Speaker 4: I felt like I needed to do something monumental after college. 675 00:33:30,920 --> 00:33:34,680 Speaker 4: I needed to like change people's lives and like be 676 00:33:34,760 --> 00:33:39,000 Speaker 4: of service in a big way. And I was kind 677 00:33:39,000 --> 00:33:41,960 Speaker 4: of scared to say that I wanted to play or 678 00:33:42,080 --> 00:33:45,720 Speaker 4: like keep playing. And it wasn't like I mean, we 679 00:33:45,800 --> 00:33:48,479 Speaker 4: had social media obviously in college, but it was not 680 00:33:48,880 --> 00:33:51,560 Speaker 4: to the degree that it is now, and playing pro 681 00:33:51,720 --> 00:33:55,160 Speaker 4: was not as common as it is now. So everything 682 00:33:55,280 --> 00:33:58,360 Speaker 4: was like a text of like, hey, can I maybe 683 00:33:59,280 --> 00:34:02,959 Speaker 4: get your agent's email? I don't even know what an 684 00:34:02,960 --> 00:34:06,800 Speaker 4: agent does, but like, I'm going to send an email. 685 00:34:07,160 --> 00:34:09,480 Speaker 4: But like I was scared to say that I wanted 686 00:34:09,520 --> 00:34:14,560 Speaker 4: to do that and not like pursue something of great 687 00:34:14,840 --> 00:34:19,040 Speaker 4: importance to the world. And actually I had a boyfriend 688 00:34:19,080 --> 00:34:21,080 Speaker 4: at the time, and he was like, you love this, 689 00:34:21,800 --> 00:34:24,759 Speaker 4: like you are obsessed with this, like why would you 690 00:34:24,880 --> 00:34:27,400 Speaker 4: not chase the thing that you love the most in 691 00:34:27,440 --> 00:34:31,239 Speaker 4: the world. And it was almost like everyone around me 692 00:34:31,360 --> 00:34:35,560 Speaker 4: was more excited and more like sure of my choice 693 00:34:35,600 --> 00:34:38,359 Speaker 4: that I was. And then I went overseas. I went 694 00:34:38,400 --> 00:34:40,400 Speaker 4: to Switzerland my first year and was like, what is 695 00:34:40,640 --> 00:34:42,799 Speaker 4: I don't think this is what it's supposed to be. 696 00:34:42,840 --> 00:34:46,400 Speaker 4: Like I'm so confused. And I always tell people to 697 00:34:46,400 --> 00:34:50,040 Speaker 4: play two years, Like your first year is really hard, Like, 698 00:34:50,120 --> 00:34:52,160 Speaker 4: no matter what, you could have the best club in 699 00:34:52,200 --> 00:34:53,879 Speaker 4: the world, but it's going to be really, really hard 700 00:34:53,920 --> 00:34:57,640 Speaker 4: because it's so different. You're not as good as you 701 00:34:57,680 --> 00:35:01,720 Speaker 4: think you are, and like the learning curve is steep, 702 00:35:02,120 --> 00:35:05,279 Speaker 4: and it's a really long season. The season's nine months overseas, 703 00:35:07,000 --> 00:35:10,560 Speaker 4: So always play two that's my advice to the general 704 00:35:10,960 --> 00:35:13,160 Speaker 4: people watching. But yeah, that was kind of how I 705 00:35:13,200 --> 00:35:15,319 Speaker 4: got into it. And then I I was like, Okay, 706 00:35:15,320 --> 00:35:18,560 Speaker 4: I'll play one more year, and here we are nine 707 00:35:18,600 --> 00:35:19,120 Speaker 4: years later. 708 00:35:21,040 --> 00:35:22,120 Speaker 5: I just couldn't stop. 709 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:25,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, So, after all these years of playing professionally and 710 00:35:25,680 --> 00:35:29,000 Speaker 1: going overseas, playing here in the States, all that what 711 00:35:29,280 --> 00:35:32,200 Speaker 1: made you two ultimately decide to join love. 712 00:35:32,960 --> 00:35:35,719 Speaker 4: I mean, I'll be honest, like I really wanted to 713 00:35:35,760 --> 00:35:40,040 Speaker 4: stay in Europe because I had like I'd played enough 714 00:35:40,160 --> 00:35:43,600 Speaker 4: years where I had friends everywhere now and I had 715 00:35:43,640 --> 00:35:46,359 Speaker 4: found like my groove, and I felt like I had 716 00:35:46,360 --> 00:35:51,480 Speaker 4: really climbed the ladder and like earned my name in Europe. 717 00:35:51,480 --> 00:35:53,439 Speaker 4: Which I'm not saying that I was like this rock 718 00:35:53,440 --> 00:35:56,239 Speaker 4: star or something, but I like felt very proud of 719 00:35:56,239 --> 00:36:00,760 Speaker 4: what I did and thank you Mill and I wanted 720 00:36:00,800 --> 00:36:02,839 Speaker 4: to like keep going. And I was scared that if 721 00:36:02,880 --> 00:36:06,120 Speaker 4: I came back to the US and this league didn't 722 00:36:06,200 --> 00:36:09,839 Speaker 4: do well, then I could never go back. And I 723 00:36:09,880 --> 00:36:13,799 Speaker 4: played with Kelsey Robinson last year and all year she 724 00:36:13,920 --> 00:36:16,200 Speaker 4: was like, I really want you be my setter. I 725 00:36:16,239 --> 00:36:18,440 Speaker 4: really want you to play with me. I think you 726 00:36:18,440 --> 00:36:22,279 Speaker 4: should really look into this. And so finally, in like 727 00:36:22,400 --> 00:36:24,960 Speaker 4: February or March of last year, I was like, Okay, 728 00:36:25,760 --> 00:36:29,280 Speaker 4: I was getting like good offers in Europe, but nothing 729 00:36:29,320 --> 00:36:31,640 Speaker 4: that was like I'm going to sign that right away. 730 00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:36,759 Speaker 4: And League one kept signing these players where I was like, 731 00:36:37,000 --> 00:36:40,880 Speaker 4: that girl's really good. That girl's really good too, I 732 00:36:40,880 --> 00:36:43,440 Speaker 4: think this might actually be like a really good league. 733 00:36:43,760 --> 00:36:48,000 Speaker 4: And then coupled with like everything that Love was doing, 734 00:36:48,600 --> 00:36:52,600 Speaker 4: all of the surrounding parts of love I really agree with, 735 00:36:53,239 --> 00:36:56,239 Speaker 4: like the way that they've structured the pro teams on 736 00:36:56,280 --> 00:36:58,840 Speaker 4: top of the club teams and like integrating them together. 737 00:36:59,040 --> 00:37:04,360 Speaker 4: I love that it's very European model based, and I 738 00:37:04,480 --> 00:37:10,920 Speaker 4: like that we have maternity leave and we have Carrot 739 00:37:11,000 --> 00:37:14,920 Speaker 4: is like this fertility I don't know it's called exactly support, 740 00:37:15,680 --> 00:37:19,600 Speaker 4: I guess, and so like it's like unlimited calls with Carrot, 741 00:37:19,600 --> 00:37:21,440 Speaker 4: and I can talk about freezing my eggs because I 742 00:37:21,480 --> 00:37:23,160 Speaker 4: want to play for a long time, but I want 743 00:37:23,239 --> 00:37:26,520 Speaker 4: kids maybe a little bit later. And like all of 744 00:37:26,560 --> 00:37:29,600 Speaker 4: that was so great, and I was just like, I 745 00:37:29,640 --> 00:37:32,040 Speaker 4: feel like the world is trying to tell me something, 746 00:37:32,320 --> 00:37:35,640 Speaker 4: like I'm supposed to go back to the US, and 747 00:37:35,719 --> 00:37:39,040 Speaker 4: that's kind of where I ended up in the end. 748 00:37:39,480 --> 00:37:41,600 Speaker 2: It's like contract by contract, like every year you're like, 749 00:37:41,800 --> 00:37:42,919 Speaker 2: I don't know where I'm going next. 750 00:37:43,080 --> 00:37:47,480 Speaker 1: But do they sign actually, like in Europe, do you 751 00:37:47,520 --> 00:37:49,239 Speaker 1: get like two three year contracts right now? 752 00:37:49,320 --> 00:37:51,680 Speaker 5: Is it literally one one day? 753 00:37:51,680 --> 00:37:55,959 Speaker 4: You can, but more common is one year. And then 754 00:37:56,040 --> 00:37:58,799 Speaker 4: I would say it's more common to get a one 755 00:37:58,800 --> 00:38:02,040 Speaker 4: plus one. We're like I'd have to opt in then 756 00:38:02,120 --> 00:38:03,560 Speaker 4: like a two year or something like that. 757 00:38:04,000 --> 00:38:06,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, So I've had a weird path, Like I retired 758 00:38:06,960 --> 00:38:11,560 Speaker 2: at twenty five and tried to get normal corporate jobs 759 00:38:11,600 --> 00:38:14,640 Speaker 2: and found out those were not as fun. And then 760 00:38:14,719 --> 00:38:18,240 Speaker 2: Jordan Larson just DMD on Instagram was like, would. 761 00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:19,960 Speaker 3: You play volleyball in the United States? 762 00:38:20,280 --> 00:38:22,400 Speaker 2: I was like, that's not a thing that can happen, 763 00:38:23,680 --> 00:38:27,359 Speaker 2: and this is athletes Unlimited at the time, and I've 764 00:38:27,360 --> 00:38:30,320 Speaker 2: played with them now for four seasons. I've also worked 765 00:38:30,360 --> 00:38:33,960 Speaker 2: for them in different capacities. I was full time this 766 00:38:34,080 --> 00:38:38,200 Speaker 2: time last year, and all this buzz of like professional 767 00:38:38,239 --> 00:38:42,160 Speaker 2: volleyball in the US was happening, you know. And I'd 768 00:38:42,200 --> 00:38:45,120 Speaker 2: been working with AU and the other sports as well, 769 00:38:45,200 --> 00:38:49,120 Speaker 2: so basketball, softball, lacrosse, and obviously playing volleyball. And I 770 00:38:49,160 --> 00:38:51,880 Speaker 2: loved my job, honestly. I had wonderful benefits. I had 771 00:38:51,920 --> 00:38:55,279 Speaker 2: wonderful coworkers. My boss is truly amazing. I knew that 772 00:38:55,320 --> 00:38:59,239 Speaker 2: I had a special workplace that not many women have 773 00:39:00,040 --> 00:39:03,200 Speaker 2: in the corporate world. And I was also working in sports, 774 00:39:03,200 --> 00:39:05,719 Speaker 2: and it's like, you know, obviously we can all see 775 00:39:05,719 --> 00:39:07,920 Speaker 2: the rise of women's sports right now, and it's awesome, 776 00:39:08,800 --> 00:39:12,719 Speaker 2: But I am an athlete, and I can only be 777 00:39:12,760 --> 00:39:15,759 Speaker 2: an athlete for so long and like to come back 778 00:39:15,760 --> 00:39:19,080 Speaker 2: to Austin to play with former teammates. I also played 779 00:39:19,080 --> 00:39:22,000 Speaker 2: to Austin Juniors my eighteens year, so my parents and 780 00:39:22,040 --> 00:39:24,319 Speaker 2: I were crazy enough to drive two and a half 781 00:39:24,360 --> 00:39:27,800 Speaker 2: hours to Austin every Sunday to practice yeah with Austin 782 00:39:27,840 --> 00:39:30,759 Speaker 2: Juniors because the coaches there were amazing, and I felt 783 00:39:30,760 --> 00:39:32,040 Speaker 2: like that was the only way I could. 784 00:39:32,040 --> 00:39:33,040 Speaker 3: Prepare for Texas. 785 00:39:33,840 --> 00:39:36,880 Speaker 2: So now we're quite literally playing and practicing in the 786 00:39:36,960 --> 00:39:38,920 Speaker 2: gym that I played in as an eighteen year old, 787 00:39:39,800 --> 00:39:44,880 Speaker 2: and that whole people moment is amazing. Yeah, And I 788 00:39:45,000 --> 00:39:48,040 Speaker 2: just knew that, Like, no, that's the dream job, like 789 00:39:48,080 --> 00:39:50,600 Speaker 2: I had, you know, played in different capacities and worked 790 00:39:50,640 --> 00:39:53,920 Speaker 2: in different capacities for women's sports, and of course I 791 00:39:54,440 --> 00:39:57,200 Speaker 2: will want to continue working in women's sports post volleyball, 792 00:39:57,239 --> 00:39:59,800 Speaker 2: and maybe even while I'm playing volleyball, I'll do something. 793 00:40:00,280 --> 00:40:03,759 Speaker 2: But to be the athlete, I feel like you have 794 00:40:03,840 --> 00:40:07,279 Speaker 2: the biggest impact still to like have this connection with 795 00:40:07,280 --> 00:40:10,440 Speaker 2: the clubs, like Maddie was saying, this connection to fans, 796 00:40:10,640 --> 00:40:13,719 Speaker 2: Like the biggest platform you have is while you're the athlete. 797 00:40:14,320 --> 00:40:16,440 Speaker 3: I'm also just having like too much fun, like. 798 00:40:16,560 --> 00:40:19,440 Speaker 2: Every single day I'm like, this is so cool, Like 799 00:40:19,520 --> 00:40:21,880 Speaker 2: I get to play with my friends. There is this 800 00:40:22,000 --> 00:40:25,080 Speaker 2: sense of joy and play every time I practice and 801 00:40:25,440 --> 00:40:27,880 Speaker 2: get on the court. Now that like I felt like 802 00:40:27,920 --> 00:40:30,319 Speaker 2: I didn't allow myself to have at age twenty five, 803 00:40:30,680 --> 00:40:32,520 Speaker 2: and so I just want to hold onto that as 804 00:40:32,600 --> 00:40:36,560 Speaker 2: long as I can. But this offer and kind of 805 00:40:36,600 --> 00:40:38,799 Speaker 2: I'm not from Austin, but it almost feels like I am. 806 00:40:39,080 --> 00:40:41,960 Speaker 2: Like this very much feels like home. I'm so comfortable 807 00:40:41,960 --> 00:40:45,719 Speaker 2: here and it's high level volleyball, Like I'm playing with 808 00:40:45,760 --> 00:40:49,560 Speaker 2: some people that like I still fangirl over at Chiaka, 809 00:40:49,600 --> 00:40:52,160 Speaker 2: Like even though we went to college together, I'm. 810 00:40:52,040 --> 00:40:54,160 Speaker 3: Like, gee, do you realize how much you've accomplished? Like 811 00:40:54,239 --> 00:40:55,239 Speaker 3: this is so freaking cool. 812 00:40:55,320 --> 00:40:57,279 Speaker 2: I get to play with every day and like, not 813 00:40:57,320 --> 00:40:58,920 Speaker 2: only is she a really good friend of mine, but 814 00:40:59,040 --> 00:41:01,480 Speaker 2: like to see her be a two time Olympian and 815 00:41:01,520 --> 00:41:04,200 Speaker 2: then to absolutely like the way that. 816 00:41:04,280 --> 00:41:07,480 Speaker 4: She blocks is scary, it's like hurtful. 817 00:41:10,400 --> 00:41:12,759 Speaker 2: It's so amazing to play with some of my teammates 818 00:41:12,840 --> 00:41:14,640 Speaker 2: or all of my teammates and we have a good 819 00:41:14,680 --> 00:41:17,840 Speaker 2: vibe going too, Like that's really special and kind of 820 00:41:17,920 --> 00:41:20,520 Speaker 2: unheard of, Like I'm hanging out with almost everybody on 821 00:41:20,560 --> 00:41:22,759 Speaker 2: my team. 822 00:41:22,800 --> 00:41:30,240 Speaker 4: Sorry, it's true, no, especially like pro very true. 823 00:41:30,600 --> 00:41:33,239 Speaker 2: Yeah, no, I just knew it was super special and 824 00:41:34,680 --> 00:41:36,560 Speaker 2: I'm really happy that I have this opportunity. 825 00:41:36,880 --> 00:41:39,439 Speaker 1: Love it well, ladies, Thank you so much for taking 826 00:41:39,440 --> 00:41:42,080 Speaker 1: the time to speak with me, for coming on the podcast, 827 00:41:42,120 --> 00:41:44,760 Speaker 1: and good luck with the new season. 828 00:41:44,800 --> 00:41:46,520 Speaker 5: We'll see you out there on the court soon. 829 00:41:47,280 --> 00:41:48,640 Speaker 3: Thanks, Tiffani, This is awesome. 830 00:41:48,640 --> 00:41:50,480 Speaker 4: Thanks for having us a great question. 831 00:41:50,960 --> 00:41:52,320 Speaker 3: Yeah, thanks is great. 832 00:41:53,760 --> 00:41:54,160 Speaker 4: Serving. 833 00:41:54,200 --> 00:41:57,680 Speaker 1: Pancakes is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with 834 00:41:57,800 --> 00:42:00,759 Speaker 1: Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on 835 00:42:00,800 --> 00:42:04,760 Speaker 1: the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts for wherever you get your podcasts. 836 00:42:05,280 --> 00:42:09,480 Speaker 1: Production by League one Volleyball, I'm your host, Tiffany Oshinsky. 837 00:42:10,040 --> 00:42:13,839 Speaker 1: Anya Olivarez is our senior producer. Our executive producers are 838 00:42:13,920 --> 00:42:18,480 Speaker 1: Carrie Stett, Tamaradike, and Lindsay Hoffman. Our marketing lead is 839 00:42:18,560 --> 00:42:23,120 Speaker 1: Jawara Parker. Sound editing and mixing by Daniel Gonzalez. Our 840 00:42:23,160 --> 00:42:28,040 Speaker 1: theme music is Pancakes by Eric W. Mast Junior Special 841 00:42:28,080 --> 00:42:31,319 Speaker 1: thanks to Mollie McCage and Mattie Bug. We'll be taking 842 00:42:31,320 --> 00:42:33,239 Speaker 1: a break for the holidays, so we'll see you in 843 00:42:33,280 --> 00:42:36,279 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five, when the inaugural season of League One 844 00:42:36,360 --> 00:42:40,680 Speaker 1: volleyball begins. Happy holidays and have a happy new Year. 845 00:42:41,080 --> 00:42:41,920 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening.