1 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:07,040 Speaker 1: Hi, I'm Tifney Oshinsky, and this is serving pancakes. Nope, 2 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:10,600 Speaker 1: not a podcast about food. This is a podcast about 3 00:00:10,680 --> 00:00:14,680 Speaker 1: volleyball and more to you. A pancake is a fluffy, 4 00:00:14,760 --> 00:00:18,840 Speaker 1: syrup drenched breakfast food button volleyball. A pancake is a 5 00:00:18,920 --> 00:00:21,640 Speaker 1: high effort move when a player flattens her hand against 6 00:00:21,680 --> 00:00:24,160 Speaker 1: the ground to keep the ball in play. And that's 7 00:00:24,239 --> 00:00:27,760 Speaker 1: us digging into high efforts that are moving sports forward. 8 00:00:28,480 --> 00:00:30,400 Speaker 1: Listen in as I talk with the people making the 9 00:00:30,440 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: biggest impacts on global volleyball and women's sports perspectives, insights, 10 00:00:36,440 --> 00:00:39,960 Speaker 1: and behind the scenes stories, all with the side of pancakes. 11 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:44,080 Speaker 1: Today's episode features the best liberro in the world, an 12 00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:47,120 Speaker 1: honor she earned after helping Team USA take home their 13 00:00:47,159 --> 00:00:50,839 Speaker 1: first gold medal in Tokyo in the last Olympics, Justine 14 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:54,680 Speaker 1: Wong Orantis. Justine is a two time All American from 15 00:00:54,680 --> 00:00:57,720 Speaker 1: the University of Nebraska, where she helped the corn Huskers 16 00:00:57,760 --> 00:01:01,480 Speaker 1: win an NCAA national title in twenty fifteen, and as 17 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:05,280 Speaker 1: a liberro, she knows a lot about pancakes, the volleyball kind. 18 00:01:06,000 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 1: This summer, she's part of the team defending the gold 19 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,399 Speaker 1: medal at the Paris Olympics, and then returning home to 20 00:01:11,400 --> 00:01:14,039 Speaker 1: play professionally in the US for the first time in 21 00:01:14,080 --> 00:01:16,880 Speaker 1: her career as part of love Omaha Volleyball. 22 00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:17,679 Speaker 2: Dustine. 23 00:01:17,880 --> 00:01:21,200 Speaker 1: Welcome to serving pancakes, have a seed, thank you. 24 00:01:21,600 --> 00:01:27,000 Speaker 3: Welcome to breakfast at Tiffany's. And I'm just it's amazing. Well, welcome, 25 00:01:27,160 --> 00:01:29,080 Speaker 3: joy some pancakes. How do you like your pancakes? 26 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:32,800 Speaker 4: Ooh, I'm a simple girl, a just like syrup and 27 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:34,600 Speaker 4: maybe a little bit of chocolate chips. 28 00:01:34,640 --> 00:01:36,360 Speaker 3: Did you see pancakes growing up at all? 29 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:37,119 Speaker 4: I did. 30 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 2: Actually, my mom always made chocolate chip pancakes, so that's 31 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 2: like a childhood memory for sure. 32 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:45,280 Speaker 3: Oh, I love that. How many did she make? 33 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:47,480 Speaker 1: Because I have two kids and they get mad if 34 00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:49,080 Speaker 1: I only give them like two, so I have to 35 00:01:49,080 --> 00:01:50,160 Speaker 1: make a stack of them. 36 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:52,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, she always made a stack, and then my brother 37 00:01:52,720 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 2: and I would always just eat what was left. And yeah, 38 00:01:56,720 --> 00:01:58,640 Speaker 2: she did a really good job of just making it 39 00:01:58,680 --> 00:02:00,560 Speaker 2: in bulk and then we would just eat you as 40 00:02:00,600 --> 00:02:02,640 Speaker 2: a family, a lot of pancakes. 41 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:05,520 Speaker 3: It's a good old family traditional breakfast. 42 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 4: Yeah, exactly. 43 00:02:06,960 --> 00:02:09,040 Speaker 1: So going back to growing up, I want to start 44 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:11,120 Speaker 1: at the very beginning, which is, what did you want 45 00:02:11,160 --> 00:02:11,960 Speaker 1: to be when you grow up. 46 00:02:12,000 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 4: So first I wanted to be a teacher. 47 00:02:14,960 --> 00:02:18,720 Speaker 2: I think with my mom being in that education field, 48 00:02:18,800 --> 00:02:21,280 Speaker 2: I always saw her as going to school, and I 49 00:02:21,320 --> 00:02:24,360 Speaker 2: think for me, relating to kids was like always something 50 00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:26,480 Speaker 2: that I was pretty natural at. Whether that was like 51 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:29,480 Speaker 2: you know, taking care of kids. All my mom's friends, 52 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:31,280 Speaker 2: they were all like I was the oldest, and so 53 00:02:31,720 --> 00:02:33,799 Speaker 2: all the younger kids they were like can you baby say, 54 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:36,400 Speaker 2: and as I would love to, and so that always 55 00:02:36,480 --> 00:02:37,400 Speaker 2: came pretty natural. 56 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 4: And then I kind of tied that into sport. 57 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:42,680 Speaker 2: And so it was always like a camp or a 58 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:45,680 Speaker 2: clinic and helping with all the young ones. That was 59 00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:49,120 Speaker 2: always super fun for me and really connecting so both 60 00:02:49,200 --> 00:02:51,839 Speaker 2: like you know, with sport and then off the core 61 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:55,320 Speaker 2: love kids. And I think so growing up I was 62 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:58,640 Speaker 2: like being a teacher, that seems pretty natural to go 63 00:02:58,760 --> 00:02:59,920 Speaker 2: into that direction. 64 00:03:00,080 --> 00:03:04,000 Speaker 1: And what was your go to babysitting games, sport, the 65 00:03:04,080 --> 00:03:06,480 Speaker 1: thing that made the kids want you as they're beating. 66 00:03:06,360 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 2: Say, I think just being outside, Like I was always 67 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:11,360 Speaker 2: wanting to play tag with them, you know, if they 68 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:13,840 Speaker 2: wanted to play volleyball, I would love to show them 69 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 2: playing you know, basketball, just being active and being outside 70 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:19,600 Speaker 2: I think that was what I was good as, just 71 00:03:19,639 --> 00:03:21,359 Speaker 2: like you know, some people are like, Okay, they can 72 00:03:21,440 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 2: just kind of chill watch TV, but like I love 73 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:26,560 Speaker 2: to be outside, and so it was fun because whenever 74 00:03:26,840 --> 00:03:30,040 Speaker 2: my mom and like their parents were playing volleyball, whether 75 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:31,760 Speaker 2: it was outside or the other court, and we were 76 00:03:31,800 --> 00:03:34,000 Speaker 2: always just playing with the with the ball or playing 77 00:03:34,040 --> 00:03:36,040 Speaker 2: soccer or whatever it was the parents. 78 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, I just wanted to go to bed at the 79 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:40,400 Speaker 1: end of the day, exactly, all real quick. 80 00:03:41,000 --> 00:03:42,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, so how did you get into volleyball? 81 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:45,800 Speaker 2: Both of my parents played, so they both played at 82 00:03:45,800 --> 00:03:48,640 Speaker 2: the collegiate level in some capacity, and so for me 83 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:50,600 Speaker 2: to watch up and grow up with them, I feel 84 00:03:50,640 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 2: like I was always. 85 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:54,680 Speaker 4: Surrounded by it, and they did a really nice job. 86 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:57,400 Speaker 2: Of kind of laying it out there for us to compete, 87 00:03:57,440 --> 00:03:58,440 Speaker 2: both my brother and I. 88 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:00,400 Speaker 4: But it was never like, oh, you. 89 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:02,440 Speaker 2: Should play this, or it would be nice if you 90 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 2: would play this. It just was very natural and I 91 00:04:05,360 --> 00:04:07,360 Speaker 2: grew up around it, and so I grew to love 92 00:04:07,400 --> 00:04:09,640 Speaker 2: at such a young age, and I think that's what 93 00:04:10,040 --> 00:04:12,680 Speaker 2: was the most special, because I could have a connection 94 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:16,000 Speaker 2: to the sport but to my parents too because they 95 00:04:16,040 --> 00:04:19,120 Speaker 2: were always supporting me at the tournament, at practices, and 96 00:04:19,200 --> 00:04:21,440 Speaker 2: they knew the game really well, so I could always 97 00:04:21,440 --> 00:04:24,480 Speaker 2: bounce ideas off of them and see where their head 98 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:26,360 Speaker 2: was at when I was growing up and playing, and 99 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:27,480 Speaker 2: it was just fun to. 100 00:04:27,440 --> 00:04:30,160 Speaker 4: Have that support throughout my childhood up until now. 101 00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:32,360 Speaker 1: So going back even farther, I want to see, if 102 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 1: you know the true romance of your parents. They both 103 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:38,640 Speaker 1: played in college. So how did they meet? Did they 104 00:04:38,680 --> 00:04:39,920 Speaker 1: meet in college playing each other? 105 00:04:40,400 --> 00:04:43,920 Speaker 2: They played in a league California is like pretty notorious, 106 00:04:43,960 --> 00:04:47,360 Speaker 2: where like all these like rec leagues happening, And it's 107 00:04:47,400 --> 00:04:50,160 Speaker 2: really cool because they played a lot with their friends too, 108 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:52,159 Speaker 2: and so that goes back to like all of the 109 00:04:52,200 --> 00:04:53,560 Speaker 2: babysitting duties. 110 00:04:53,200 --> 00:04:53,720 Speaker 4: That I had. 111 00:04:54,160 --> 00:04:57,359 Speaker 2: And so they met at a volleyball league in Tustin 112 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:01,400 Speaker 2: and so super local and yeah, and they met and 113 00:05:01,440 --> 00:05:03,000 Speaker 2: then you know, the rest is history. 114 00:05:03,080 --> 00:05:05,840 Speaker 4: Had me and my brother and it's just very fun. 115 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:08,440 Speaker 2: Because all of us have played volleyball at some point 116 00:05:08,440 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 2: in our lives, and I think that's like really cool 117 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:13,360 Speaker 2: that we have that time to connect with each other 118 00:05:13,440 --> 00:05:15,920 Speaker 2: and just be able to support and like show up 119 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:16,880 Speaker 2: for one another too. 120 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:20,800 Speaker 1: Did they know about the club scene and stuff when 121 00:05:20,839 --> 00:05:21,760 Speaker 1: they were growing up. 122 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:23,359 Speaker 3: Did they were they aware of time. 123 00:05:23,200 --> 00:05:26,000 Speaker 4: Commitment that, yeah, right, not right. Yeah. 124 00:05:26,000 --> 00:05:28,800 Speaker 2: So my dad actually coached for Mazuna Long Beach Current 125 00:05:28,839 --> 00:05:31,760 Speaker 2: Love Club, and so it was nice to have that 126 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:35,039 Speaker 2: kind of connection to the club because I really didn't know, 127 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:38,479 Speaker 2: like being in southern California, there's so many clubs that 128 00:05:38,520 --> 00:05:41,479 Speaker 2: you can choose from, and so having that you know, 129 00:05:41,720 --> 00:05:44,240 Speaker 2: connection right off the bat was very helpful. And so 130 00:05:44,520 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 2: Joy and Matt Feerbringer, who were the directors of the club, 131 00:05:47,080 --> 00:05:49,960 Speaker 2: still are and they were like, yeah, bring her on by. 132 00:05:50,080 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 2: And so I started at a very young age. I 133 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:56,480 Speaker 2: started at eight years old and going into club and 134 00:05:56,640 --> 00:05:58,599 Speaker 2: there was a twelve and under group and I actually 135 00:05:58,600 --> 00:06:00,760 Speaker 2: played twelve and under for four years. I was so young, 136 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:03,200 Speaker 2: so I was just playing for you know, up until 137 00:06:03,200 --> 00:06:05,960 Speaker 2: I turned twelve. And it was very fun because I 138 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,039 Speaker 2: think one year actually my dad got to coach me. 139 00:06:08,680 --> 00:06:11,960 Speaker 2: And it was always you know, like that weird feeling 140 00:06:12,000 --> 00:06:14,360 Speaker 2: of like not wanting to be favored, but also like 141 00:06:14,640 --> 00:06:18,640 Speaker 2: having that you know, soft spot for your daughter. And 142 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:20,880 Speaker 2: it was really cool because you got to meet a 143 00:06:20,880 --> 00:06:23,680 Speaker 2: lot of people and like just club is just such 144 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 2: a unique kind of community because you're with each other 145 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:30,200 Speaker 2: for like eight months out of the year, and you're 146 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:34,840 Speaker 2: traveling to all these tournaments and practicing basically every other day, 147 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 2: and so to have both my parents be there for 148 00:06:38,000 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 2: a good chunk of it was really fun. And also 149 00:06:41,120 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 2: to just know a lot of people from it and 150 00:06:43,760 --> 00:06:45,599 Speaker 2: grow up with them, Like I think I had a 151 00:06:45,600 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 2: few girls that we stayed from like basically twelve until eighteens, 152 00:06:49,400 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 2: and that's pretty unique to have, and so it was 153 00:06:52,120 --> 00:06:54,200 Speaker 2: very fun, and a lot of them I still keep 154 00:06:54,240 --> 00:06:55,360 Speaker 2: in touch with, which is nice. 155 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:57,840 Speaker 3: You also play beach, though, I did. So did you 156 00:06:58,000 --> 00:06:59,480 Speaker 3: start indoor? Did you start beach? 157 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 2: I start indoor first, and then that following summer I 158 00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:04,839 Speaker 2: started beach. It was kind of like one season, you know, 159 00:07:04,960 --> 00:07:06,840 Speaker 2: indoor and then going into the summer was beach. 160 00:07:06,920 --> 00:07:09,840 Speaker 4: So it was basically all year round volleyball, which I loved. 161 00:07:10,000 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 2: I love being in the gym or being on the beach, 162 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:13,920 Speaker 2: and so I feel like it was also a great 163 00:07:14,000 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 2: change up. You know, being indoor and then playing on 164 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 2: the beach is such a different atmosphere and it's honestly 165 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 2: such a different game, and so for me, it just 166 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:23,880 Speaker 2: taught me a lot of well roundedness, kind of seeing 167 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:25,920 Speaker 2: a lot of different parts of the game and kind 168 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:29,040 Speaker 2: of bettering each skill. So I really enjoyed my time 169 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:31,520 Speaker 2: and like doing both sports because I think it was 170 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:34,720 Speaker 2: super important for my overall ability to see the game 171 00:07:34,760 --> 00:07:35,600 Speaker 2: and to read the game. 172 00:07:37,920 --> 00:07:40,680 Speaker 1: Hey guys, time for your first fun fact of the episode. 173 00:07:40,760 --> 00:07:43,280 Speaker 1: And it's not volleyball specific. 174 00:07:43,880 --> 00:07:44,160 Speaker 3: Now. 175 00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:48,040 Speaker 1: Although beach and indoor volleyball are somewhat similar, as Justine said, 176 00:07:48,320 --> 00:07:52,360 Speaker 1: there are different skills involved and it is a different sport. 177 00:07:52,600 --> 00:07:56,080 Speaker 1: In fact, playing multiple sports as a kid is actually 178 00:07:56,200 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 1: really important. It can prevent injuries due to overuse, less 179 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:04,840 Speaker 1: emotional burnout. Kids get exposed to different kids and roles, 180 00:08:05,320 --> 00:08:07,600 Speaker 1: and it allows them to see what they like and 181 00:08:07,720 --> 00:08:10,280 Speaker 1: don't like, so that later down the road they can 182 00:08:10,360 --> 00:08:14,760 Speaker 1: eventually specialize. And who knows, maybe kids not burning out 183 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:17,880 Speaker 1: could lead them to become an Olympic champion just like Justine. 184 00:08:18,240 --> 00:08:20,040 Speaker 1: But now let's get back to volleyball. 185 00:08:20,920 --> 00:08:23,440 Speaker 3: So I started club when I was twelve. I wait, 186 00:08:23,440 --> 00:08:24,280 Speaker 3: teen and everything too. 187 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:27,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, but I remember when I was fourteen, I said 188 00:08:27,800 --> 00:08:30,240 Speaker 1: to myself, fall I'm a really good indoor player, so 189 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:33,440 Speaker 1: I can play beach, And I went I was in 190 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:35,480 Speaker 1: California for a trip, and I went out and tried 191 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:39,559 Speaker 1: to play, and I was dying, absolutely dying. I can't 192 00:08:39,559 --> 00:08:42,280 Speaker 1: handle the cminus. So you learn a lot from playing 193 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:45,160 Speaker 1: beach versus indoor, But did you find one to be 194 00:08:45,200 --> 00:08:46,280 Speaker 1: particularly harder one? 195 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:47,400 Speaker 3: Do that you enjoy it more? 196 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:48,400 Speaker 4: I would say the. 197 00:08:48,400 --> 00:08:51,320 Speaker 2: Hardest part of beach volleyball is just there's two people 198 00:08:51,320 --> 00:08:53,200 Speaker 2: out there, so there's no really hiding. 199 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:55,319 Speaker 4: Both of you guys have to do all the skills. 200 00:08:55,320 --> 00:08:57,240 Speaker 2: You have to pass that hit, and I think that 201 00:08:57,559 --> 00:08:59,960 Speaker 2: just teaches a lot of people about reading the game 202 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:03,040 Speaker 2: and also how to be good at each skill. And 203 00:09:03,120 --> 00:09:05,959 Speaker 2: so I think for me, getting exposed to beach volleyball 204 00:09:05,960 --> 00:09:08,079 Speaker 2: at such a young age actually taught me a lot 205 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:11,440 Speaker 2: and also about you know, stamina and being like I 206 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 2: felt like every time I transitioned from beach to indoor, 207 00:09:14,480 --> 00:09:17,000 Speaker 2: I felt faster, I was jumping higher, just because the 208 00:09:17,160 --> 00:09:20,360 Speaker 2: sand just creates a lot of difficulty to move. And 209 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:23,000 Speaker 2: so it was honestly really good cross training. 210 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:26,040 Speaker 1: Did you find yourself teaching the younger kids how to 211 00:09:26,040 --> 00:09:28,160 Speaker 1: play or were you involved in any of that since you. 212 00:09:28,120 --> 00:09:31,040 Speaker 2: Did enjoy being with Yeah, So at Mazuno we had 213 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 2: this one team. It was called Beach Babes, and they 214 00:09:33,160 --> 00:09:35,200 Speaker 2: were like, I think they could be they could start 215 00:09:35,200 --> 00:09:37,240 Speaker 2: as young as they wanted, and they went up to 216 00:09:37,320 --> 00:09:40,400 Speaker 2: ten and so each team had to do one tournament 217 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:43,719 Speaker 2: of Beach Babes of like helping out coaching, just kind 218 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:47,320 Speaker 2: of being their mentoring. And it was so cute because 219 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:50,400 Speaker 2: they're playing with those light balls and they're usually playing 220 00:09:50,440 --> 00:09:50,880 Speaker 2: like from. 221 00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:52,560 Speaker 4: The tenth line to like half core. 222 00:09:52,920 --> 00:09:54,880 Speaker 2: It was such a great way to like connect with 223 00:09:54,920 --> 00:09:57,640 Speaker 2: the younger athletes and show them a thing or two, 224 00:09:57,720 --> 00:10:00,560 Speaker 2: but also grow the game because when you starting at 225 00:10:00,559 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 2: that young of an age, it's so fun to be 226 00:10:02,720 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 2: able to see the older girls like and also see 227 00:10:05,200 --> 00:10:05,959 Speaker 2: that they care. 228 00:10:05,800 --> 00:10:08,040 Speaker 4: About you and want to support you. 229 00:10:08,120 --> 00:10:10,200 Speaker 2: And I think that's one thing that Maszuna Long Beach 230 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:12,960 Speaker 2: did a great job of is just creating a family environment. 231 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:15,680 Speaker 2: And you felt that from you know, twelve and unders 232 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 2: to eighteen and unders. 233 00:10:16,760 --> 00:10:18,480 Speaker 3: That's like California's so good at volleyball. 234 00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:22,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, so let me ask you when you got to 235 00:10:22,559 --> 00:10:25,280 Speaker 1: club and high school, what position were you? 236 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:26,600 Speaker 4: I was a setter? 237 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:29,280 Speaker 3: Okay, yeah, so were you running a five one or 238 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:29,880 Speaker 3: a six to two? 239 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:32,520 Speaker 2: I ran a five to one actually up until my 240 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:33,960 Speaker 2: senior year. 241 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:37,000 Speaker 1: Real quick before, since you know there are people who 242 00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:38,920 Speaker 1: are listening to this who don't know volleyball, can you 243 00:10:38,960 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 1: explain what a five one is versus six to two? 244 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:44,439 Speaker 2: Yeah, five to one is when the setter just comes 245 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:46,200 Speaker 2: from the back row, setting from the back row all 246 00:10:46,200 --> 00:10:48,360 Speaker 2: the way through the front row, and then six to 247 00:10:48,400 --> 00:10:50,560 Speaker 2: two is just when the setter is setting from the 248 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:54,000 Speaker 2: back row and then typically an opposite that's coming in 249 00:10:54,080 --> 00:10:56,320 Speaker 2: and then they do like a double sub and they're 250 00:10:56,360 --> 00:10:58,120 Speaker 2: able to only set from the back row, So you're 251 00:10:58,120 --> 00:10:59,960 Speaker 2: always having three attackers. 252 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:02,920 Speaker 1: Played five line. So I'm sure I know you're five 253 00:11:02,920 --> 00:11:06,839 Speaker 1: to six. Yeah, short people, you know some love right here. 254 00:11:08,120 --> 00:11:11,160 Speaker 1: When you were in the front row, did you struggle 255 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:12,640 Speaker 1: at all or were you working hard? 256 00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:14,760 Speaker 3: Did the beach yes, say and get you to jump 257 00:11:14,800 --> 00:11:16,000 Speaker 3: high and help with blocking and. 258 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:17,040 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah. 259 00:11:17,040 --> 00:11:19,880 Speaker 2: I feel like, honestly, that was one thing that I 260 00:11:19,920 --> 00:11:22,520 Speaker 2: had to really overcome, is you know, the height and 261 00:11:22,679 --> 00:11:24,880 Speaker 2: the disadvantage that I had, and so I feel like, 262 00:11:24,920 --> 00:11:27,080 Speaker 2: honestly that was one thing that Beach helped me with, 263 00:11:27,280 --> 00:11:29,640 Speaker 2: was just the vertical and just trying to at least 264 00:11:29,640 --> 00:11:32,360 Speaker 2: put some sort of hands above the block but we 265 00:11:32,400 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 2: did a really good job of My coach JP called around. 266 00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:37,920 Speaker 2: He made sure that no matter what position you were, 267 00:11:38,000 --> 00:11:39,520 Speaker 2: you were doing all the skills. So if you were 268 00:11:39,559 --> 00:11:43,120 Speaker 2: a metal blocker, you were involved in defense, passing, and 269 00:11:43,160 --> 00:11:45,559 Speaker 2: so I feel like that, Like, honestly, we had a 270 00:11:45,600 --> 00:11:48,560 Speaker 2: really good ball control team, and so it was kind 271 00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:51,200 Speaker 2: of filling gaps where was needed on that team from 272 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 2: like sixteens because my sixteen seventeen eighteens year was the 273 00:11:55,200 --> 00:11:57,960 Speaker 2: same team, and so we kind of knew each other 274 00:11:58,080 --> 00:12:00,240 Speaker 2: and we did a really good job of, you know, 275 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:02,840 Speaker 2: training everything. And I think that's so important as a 276 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:05,560 Speaker 2: young athlete is not to put yourself in a box 277 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:08,559 Speaker 2: and specialize in one position. I think, of course, when 278 00:12:08,600 --> 00:12:11,559 Speaker 2: you're getting to recruitment time and you're starting to look 279 00:12:11,600 --> 00:12:14,360 Speaker 2: for colleges, yes, you can have a specific position that 280 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:17,240 Speaker 2: you want to go for, but when you're ten, eleven, twelve, like, 281 00:12:17,360 --> 00:12:20,960 Speaker 2: play all the positions, yeah, enjoy and try to do 282 00:12:21,000 --> 00:12:23,800 Speaker 2: everything you can because I think that's what's going to 283 00:12:23,840 --> 00:12:25,960 Speaker 2: make you a really good volleyball player down the road. 284 00:12:38,679 --> 00:12:40,119 Speaker 4: And recruiting was a little. 285 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:42,280 Speaker 3: Tough for you, right, yeah, I mean I had the 286 00:12:42,280 --> 00:12:42,800 Speaker 3: same thing. 287 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:47,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, So what's your story with recruiting, Yeah, that Nebraska. 288 00:12:47,360 --> 00:12:50,360 Speaker 2: So I was mainly looking at a lot of local 289 00:12:50,360 --> 00:12:53,520 Speaker 2: schools in California as a setter. As a back row setter, 290 00:12:53,679 --> 00:12:57,920 Speaker 2: you know, maybe a DS super quick. 291 00:12:58,400 --> 00:13:03,520 Speaker 1: DS means defensive specialist and does what the name says, 292 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 1: specializes in defense. So this position only plays back row 293 00:13:08,600 --> 00:13:11,160 Speaker 1: and teams must use a substitution to go in and 294 00:13:11,200 --> 00:13:13,800 Speaker 1: out of the game. A libero, on the other hand, 295 00:13:14,320 --> 00:13:17,120 Speaker 1: is free to replace a back row player whenever, as 296 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:20,520 Speaker 1: long as it's in between plays. Libero's became a position 297 00:13:20,600 --> 00:13:23,439 Speaker 1: internationally back in nineteen ninety eight and was introduced in 298 00:13:23,480 --> 00:13:25,560 Speaker 1: college in two thousand and two to help with ball 299 00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,559 Speaker 1: control and make the game more exciting. You'll know who 300 00:13:28,559 --> 00:13:32,079 Speaker 1: the libero is because they always wear a different color jersey. 301 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:34,840 Speaker 1: All right, Back to Justine. 302 00:13:35,440 --> 00:13:39,360 Speaker 2: What's funny is that going into my junior year of club, 303 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:42,400 Speaker 2: we were at nationals and my coach it was never 304 00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:44,679 Speaker 2: a conversation. He just was like, we need you to 305 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:47,360 Speaker 2: go to play libero because we need some passing. And 306 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:50,199 Speaker 2: so I was like freaking out because first of all, 307 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:53,400 Speaker 2: I didn't bring my other jersey because normally at every 308 00:13:53,400 --> 00:13:56,560 Speaker 2: club tournament they're like brainbow jerseys just in case I 309 00:13:56,640 --> 00:13:59,400 Speaker 2: was the one that did not, and so I ended 310 00:13:59,480 --> 00:14:02,640 Speaker 2: up having to borrow a libero jersey from a different team. 311 00:14:02,960 --> 00:14:03,800 Speaker 4: You know, it worked out. 312 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:07,960 Speaker 2: I was playing libero for that tournament and Nebraska was 313 00:14:08,080 --> 00:14:10,360 Speaker 2: you know, kind of roaming the courts and they saw 314 00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 2: me play. And then after that that tournament we ended 315 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:15,920 Speaker 2: up talking and setting up an official visit because after 316 00:14:15,960 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 2: that junior season was into my senior year, so I 317 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:20,600 Speaker 2: was pretty late in. 318 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 4: The recruitment you know period. 319 00:14:22,520 --> 00:14:25,040 Speaker 2: I was a senior when I committed to Nebraska and 320 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 2: with like no libero experience at all, and so that 321 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:32,520 Speaker 2: was honestly such a like kind of mental block because 322 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:34,840 Speaker 2: for me, I'm like thinking I need to chase and 323 00:14:34,880 --> 00:14:37,280 Speaker 2: like catch up with every other libero in the Big 324 00:14:37,320 --> 00:14:40,240 Speaker 2: Ten that's been playing for however many years. But I 325 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:42,720 Speaker 2: really do credit that to beach volleyball, because I think 326 00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:45,760 Speaker 2: without beach like, I wouldn't have had all the skills 327 00:14:45,760 --> 00:14:49,000 Speaker 2: in the court awareness that beach volleyball gives. I was 328 00:14:49,120 --> 00:14:51,320 Speaker 2: at a good starting point, but of course I wanted 329 00:14:51,360 --> 00:14:53,360 Speaker 2: to do more and have more. 330 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:54,480 Speaker 4: Experience in that position. 331 00:14:54,800 --> 00:14:56,960 Speaker 2: So yeah, that was a fun time though, Like I'm 332 00:14:57,000 --> 00:15:00,400 Speaker 2: so happy for my experience and how club all ended 333 00:15:00,480 --> 00:15:03,320 Speaker 2: up in just that whole story. But it was just 334 00:15:03,360 --> 00:15:05,960 Speaker 2: so funny how my coach was like randomly, Like it 335 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:09,120 Speaker 2: was never a conversation of like, hey, we're thinking of 336 00:15:09,200 --> 00:15:10,120 Speaker 2: playing you Libero. 337 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:12,000 Speaker 4: It was just like, hey, you're going in there. 338 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:13,800 Speaker 3: Get that jersey right, right. 339 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:15,200 Speaker 4: And for those who. 340 00:15:15,000 --> 00:15:17,480 Speaker 1: Don't know what a libero is, libero, where's a different 341 00:15:17,480 --> 00:15:18,240 Speaker 1: colored jersey. 342 00:15:18,440 --> 00:15:21,360 Speaker 3: It's called Libero. It's Italian, yes, free, So that's why 343 00:15:21,440 --> 00:15:23,200 Speaker 3: they go in and out without any subs. 344 00:15:23,360 --> 00:15:25,480 Speaker 1: So when I played in high school, I was actually 345 00:15:25,520 --> 00:15:27,800 Speaker 1: an outside hitter. Okay, at five three and a quarter, 346 00:15:27,920 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 1: I always had that quarter in there, right, you have 347 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 1: to go extra right, But when it came to club, 348 00:15:33,440 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 1: all of my teammates were five ten or taller. 349 00:15:36,400 --> 00:15:38,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, so I was put as Libero. 350 00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:43,080 Speaker 1: And I just remember at first hating it because I'm like, 351 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:45,360 Speaker 1: you just want people to hit balls at me basics. 352 00:15:45,440 --> 00:15:49,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'm the person that they're just aiming for. But 353 00:15:49,360 --> 00:15:50,440 Speaker 3: I loved it. 354 00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, when you transition from Cetter to Lobero, did you 355 00:15:53,760 --> 00:15:55,000 Speaker 1: love it like in college or were you. 356 00:15:54,960 --> 00:15:57,080 Speaker 3: Kind of nervous because Colin is a different life. 357 00:15:57,160 --> 00:16:00,680 Speaker 2: Yeah, For me, I was excited to play because I 358 00:16:00,680 --> 00:16:03,440 Speaker 2: did love defensive aspect, like I felt like I was 359 00:16:03,520 --> 00:16:05,440 Speaker 2: as a setter. I love to play defense, like that 360 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:07,680 Speaker 2: was the one thing I was like, I love playing 361 00:16:07,720 --> 00:16:11,360 Speaker 2: and I took pride and playing defense, and so that 362 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:12,960 Speaker 2: part I was like pretty confident in. 363 00:16:13,080 --> 00:16:16,760 Speaker 4: I think it was more the serve reception part and not. 364 00:16:17,120 --> 00:16:20,640 Speaker 2: Having as many repetitions as maybe other liberos had. And 365 00:16:20,680 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 2: so that was the struggle for me, is like how 366 00:16:23,640 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 2: do I take up space in the serve receive portion 367 00:16:26,400 --> 00:16:28,480 Speaker 2: of it? And that's a really tough space to be 368 00:16:28,520 --> 00:16:32,040 Speaker 2: in because you know that's the first contact and honestly, 369 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:34,680 Speaker 2: you're setting it up for all of the offense to 370 00:16:34,760 --> 00:16:37,760 Speaker 2: be successful. And so my first couple of years at Nebraska, 371 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:39,640 Speaker 2: I think that was the biggest struggle for me to 372 00:16:39,720 --> 00:16:42,000 Speaker 2: kind of overcome, is like how can I be good 373 00:16:42,280 --> 00:16:45,240 Speaker 2: at SERVI receiving but also be able to like take 374 00:16:45,320 --> 00:16:47,920 Speaker 2: up more space because as a libero, you know they're 375 00:16:47,960 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 2: not serving you as much, but how do you relieve 376 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:53,960 Speaker 2: some of your hitters and other attackers to do what 377 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:56,560 Speaker 2: they're doing best? And I think that was the major 378 00:16:56,640 --> 00:16:59,440 Speaker 2: change for me, is like how can I give an 379 00:16:59,520 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 2: other way that you know, as a setter, you're touching 380 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:05,560 Speaker 2: every other contact, You're very involved in the play, and 381 00:17:05,640 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 2: you're leading the charge, leading the offense, and Walberrow is 382 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:11,840 Speaker 2: kind of like a different way. I've had to learn 383 00:17:11,920 --> 00:17:14,520 Speaker 2: how to lead in a different way. And I think 384 00:17:14,640 --> 00:17:17,360 Speaker 2: mainly in that way, I was using my voice and 385 00:17:17,440 --> 00:17:21,080 Speaker 2: just directing traffic and seeing how I can be big 386 00:17:21,160 --> 00:17:24,160 Speaker 2: for other people. And so I've learned that over my career, 387 00:17:24,200 --> 00:17:27,000 Speaker 2: and I was definitely a transition, but over the years, 388 00:17:27,080 --> 00:17:29,760 Speaker 2: you know, trial and error, and just with different teammates too. 389 00:17:29,800 --> 00:17:32,040 Speaker 2: You learn about different teammates and how you can give 390 00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:34,840 Speaker 2: to them and how you can add in any way, 391 00:17:35,160 --> 00:17:36,440 Speaker 2: well paid off, you are the. 392 00:17:36,440 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 1: Old I mean, I had Nebraska, so I think you 393 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:40,000 Speaker 1: figured it out pretty well. 394 00:17:41,160 --> 00:17:41,960 Speaker 4: So when you were in. 395 00:17:41,960 --> 00:17:44,119 Speaker 1: College, did you have any idea that you wanted to 396 00:17:44,200 --> 00:17:47,000 Speaker 1: keep playing and go pro or play on the US 397 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:47,880 Speaker 1: women's national team? 398 00:17:47,920 --> 00:17:48,520 Speaker 3: Is that the dream? 399 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:51,359 Speaker 2: As I got older into my career, I was getting 400 00:17:51,359 --> 00:17:54,080 Speaker 2: more confident. I think for me, confidence was like a 401 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 2: big issue at Nebraska. And the more and more I 402 00:17:57,359 --> 00:18:00,040 Speaker 2: saw myself getting more confident, I was like, well, I 403 00:18:00,040 --> 00:18:02,320 Speaker 2: fel like I have more to give and so after, 404 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:04,879 Speaker 2: you know, my senior year, that's when Kurch had reached 405 00:18:04,920 --> 00:18:07,879 Speaker 2: out and invited me to the national team gym, and 406 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:10,400 Speaker 2: I was all for it. I mean, I was honored 407 00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:12,840 Speaker 2: to even like be able to like be seen in 408 00:18:12,880 --> 00:18:15,280 Speaker 2: that you know kind of radar, and so for me, 409 00:18:15,560 --> 00:18:16,639 Speaker 2: I was like, yeah. 410 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:18,240 Speaker 4: One hundred percent, I'm ready. 411 00:18:18,320 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 2: And also that was a huge transition too, from the 412 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:23,399 Speaker 2: college game to the international game. But you know, with 413 00:18:23,440 --> 00:18:26,159 Speaker 2: the help of like so many coaches and teammates, I 414 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:29,040 Speaker 2: think it's been you know, a lot of learning and 415 00:18:29,080 --> 00:18:31,040 Speaker 2: growing and it's it's been really fun. 416 00:18:31,440 --> 00:18:33,520 Speaker 1: What was the transition, Like, what's the big difference between 417 00:18:33,520 --> 00:18:35,320 Speaker 1: college and international I. 418 00:18:35,280 --> 00:18:36,680 Speaker 4: Think the speed of the game. 419 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 2: Like I think you see in the college game there 420 00:18:39,359 --> 00:18:40,840 Speaker 2: are a lot of offenses that. 421 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:42,320 Speaker 4: Are really speeding up. 422 00:18:42,680 --> 00:18:45,480 Speaker 2: But from Nebraska to my first year in the national 423 00:18:45,480 --> 00:18:48,240 Speaker 2: team gym, the speed of which we were setting the 424 00:18:48,240 --> 00:18:52,200 Speaker 2: ball was fast, and so I was like, wow, my 425 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:55,880 Speaker 2: my wheels are turning. I'm just like trying to get 426 00:18:55,880 --> 00:18:58,280 Speaker 2: my bearings down. And I think it was also a 427 00:18:58,320 --> 00:19:01,919 Speaker 2: lot of turnover withel in the gym. A lot of 428 00:19:01,920 --> 00:19:04,919 Speaker 2: people were retiring or also taking time off for the 429 00:19:04,960 --> 00:19:06,960 Speaker 2: first part of the summer, and so there were a 430 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:10,800 Speaker 2: lot of opportunities for starting spots, and so I think 431 00:19:10,840 --> 00:19:13,800 Speaker 2: with that in a new quad, I think that just 432 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:16,120 Speaker 2: you know, kind of added a little bit of pressure 433 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:18,760 Speaker 2: because there's a lot of newbies that are wanting to 434 00:19:18,840 --> 00:19:21,200 Speaker 2: take some starting spots. And so it was really fun 435 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:23,000 Speaker 2: to like get to know a lot of girls that 436 00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:25,679 Speaker 2: you've played against in the college game and then now 437 00:19:25,880 --> 00:19:28,159 Speaker 2: to be able to be teammates and just learn with 438 00:19:28,200 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 2: one another and see the different types of play that 439 00:19:31,560 --> 00:19:34,240 Speaker 2: are we're all, you know, invited to the national team 440 00:19:34,320 --> 00:19:35,640 Speaker 2: gym and then kind. 441 00:19:35,440 --> 00:19:37,400 Speaker 4: Of like putting all the puzzle pieces together. 442 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:40,040 Speaker 1: I kind of had that little bit with club because 443 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:42,400 Speaker 1: my club was based in Philadelphia, and I guys an 444 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:43,639 Speaker 1: hour north of Philly. 445 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:46,440 Speaker 3: Yeah, so they combined a lot of girls from all over. 446 00:19:46,760 --> 00:19:46,960 Speaker 4: Yeah. 447 00:19:46,960 --> 00:19:49,560 Speaker 1: And I just remember playing one girl from a different 448 00:19:49,600 --> 00:19:51,760 Speaker 1: high school and we used to call her the Robot 449 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:55,480 Speaker 1: because she was so mechanical and everything. She would crush 450 00:19:55,560 --> 00:19:58,000 Speaker 1: us like, yeah, kills, she could find the whole every 451 00:19:58,040 --> 00:19:58,440 Speaker 1: single time. 452 00:19:58,480 --> 00:19:59,720 Speaker 3: And then she ended up on my team and I 453 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:00,800 Speaker 3: was like, you're the brood. 454 00:20:00,960 --> 00:20:04,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, did you ever find it like when you're playing 455 00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:06,480 Speaker 1: these girls, you had nicknames for them or anything like 456 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:08,280 Speaker 1: that where you're like, oh my god, all of a sudden, 457 00:20:08,280 --> 00:20:09,159 Speaker 1: now i'm teammate. 458 00:20:09,240 --> 00:20:11,600 Speaker 3: Did you know that I used to know you as. 459 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:14,480 Speaker 2: This not necessarily nicknames, but it's just like you see, 460 00:20:14,640 --> 00:20:17,399 Speaker 2: especially like if you're playing in the same conference, you 461 00:20:17,560 --> 00:20:20,439 Speaker 2: play them like at least twice a year, and so 462 00:20:20,560 --> 00:20:23,160 Speaker 2: it's so funny to be able to like scout them 463 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:26,119 Speaker 2: and then now you're you're sitting on the same side 464 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:27,679 Speaker 2: and playing with one another. 465 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:29,920 Speaker 4: I think it's almost like a sigh of relief. 466 00:20:29,600 --> 00:20:32,840 Speaker 5: Because you're like, okay, you might yeah, exactly exactly. 467 00:20:34,400 --> 00:20:37,520 Speaker 3: So you were on the US women's team. 468 00:20:37,640 --> 00:20:41,439 Speaker 1: You joined in twenty eighteen, correct, twenty seventeen seventeen, So 469 00:20:41,920 --> 00:20:44,520 Speaker 1: how did the transition go from when you joined the 470 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:46,840 Speaker 1: US women's team to sign you were going to be 471 00:20:46,840 --> 00:20:48,199 Speaker 1: going to the Olympics and do. 472 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:54,199 Speaker 2: Yeah, it was honestly a very long process because you know, 473 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 2: with COVID and just the postponement of the Olympics. For me, 474 00:20:58,280 --> 00:21:01,240 Speaker 2: it was a very big blasing in disguise because I 475 00:21:01,280 --> 00:21:03,360 Speaker 2: feel like I could have been ready if it were 476 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:05,520 Speaker 2: to happen in twenty twenty, but I think with the 477 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:08,440 Speaker 2: extra year like it allowed me to really like get 478 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:10,879 Speaker 2: my goals in alignment and just also like put in 479 00:21:10,880 --> 00:21:12,919 Speaker 2: the work. And I think we did a lot of 480 00:21:13,119 --> 00:21:16,119 Speaker 2: self reflection as individuals, but then also as a team, 481 00:21:16,200 --> 00:21:19,200 Speaker 2: like we were working a lot about our team culture 482 00:21:19,240 --> 00:21:21,440 Speaker 2: and the dynamics and just how we can be better 483 00:21:21,480 --> 00:21:25,040 Speaker 2: going into the Olympics and with such a like short season. 484 00:21:25,280 --> 00:21:26,000 Speaker 4: What was very. 485 00:21:25,920 --> 00:21:29,360 Speaker 2: Unique is that we played in a bubble with VNL 486 00:21:29,400 --> 00:21:31,840 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty one, and so I felt like that 487 00:21:31,920 --> 00:21:34,720 Speaker 2: allowed us to be super super close with one another, 488 00:21:34,800 --> 00:21:37,119 Speaker 2: and it was so cool because it was obviously a 489 00:21:37,240 --> 00:21:40,080 Speaker 2: very hard time with you know, the Olympic roster coming 490 00:21:40,080 --> 00:21:42,200 Speaker 2: out and then we were still in the bubble and 491 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:44,680 Speaker 2: there were cuts being made, but I think the way 492 00:21:44,680 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 2: that people handled it with such grace and with such professionalism, 493 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:52,000 Speaker 2: like everyone embraced their roles and just whatever was given 494 00:21:52,040 --> 00:21:54,199 Speaker 2: to the team, like they gave to the team with 495 00:21:54,440 --> 00:21:57,320 Speaker 2: one hundred percent. And I think going into the games, 496 00:21:57,359 --> 00:21:59,840 Speaker 2: we were so close knit and tight knit to each 497 00:21:59,840 --> 00:22:02,800 Speaker 2: other that it felt like nothing could stop us, Like 498 00:22:02,840 --> 00:22:05,520 Speaker 2: I really truly believed, because we had put in so 499 00:22:05,600 --> 00:22:08,000 Speaker 2: much work off the court, like with Zoom meetings and 500 00:22:08,040 --> 00:22:11,560 Speaker 2: with our sports side and just with each other. We 501 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:14,119 Speaker 2: learned how to communicate with each other and just what 502 00:22:14,160 --> 00:22:16,000 Speaker 2: could we give to one another, And I think that 503 00:22:16,080 --> 00:22:25,000 Speaker 2: helped us a lot on the court. 504 00:22:30,240 --> 00:22:33,439 Speaker 1: So during that COVID year, when you guys weren't together, yeah, 505 00:22:33,880 --> 00:22:36,760 Speaker 1: were you practicing at home and training at home solo. 506 00:22:36,600 --> 00:22:38,920 Speaker 3: Or were you able to do anything with your team. 507 00:22:39,080 --> 00:22:41,280 Speaker 2: So at first, like the first like I would say, 508 00:22:41,280 --> 00:22:43,880 Speaker 2: in May, it was still shut down, so a lot 509 00:22:43,920 --> 00:22:46,440 Speaker 2: of us were still at our homes and we were 510 00:22:46,480 --> 00:22:49,760 Speaker 2: doing workouts like wherever we could do them, honestly, whether 511 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:52,760 Speaker 2: it was outside in a garage. I remember Jordan Thompson 512 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:54,600 Speaker 2: was she was in Minnesota at the time, and it 513 00:22:54,680 --> 00:22:57,720 Speaker 2: was snowing, and so she was like in like her 514 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:00,399 Speaker 2: parka like still getting her workouts in case. We were 515 00:23:00,400 --> 00:23:04,040 Speaker 2: doing zoom workouts, and so it was so funny, and 516 00:23:04,080 --> 00:23:06,840 Speaker 2: I think that was like a huge like testament as. 517 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:08,240 Speaker 4: To like how much we wanted it. 518 00:23:08,400 --> 00:23:10,199 Speaker 2: We were still putting in the work because there was 519 00:23:10,240 --> 00:23:14,760 Speaker 2: still a possibility of the Olympics maybe happening, and also 520 00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:17,600 Speaker 2: we were kind of getting you know, waiting to see 521 00:23:17,640 --> 00:23:20,600 Speaker 2: if Kartch would say if the ASC was going to 522 00:23:20,600 --> 00:23:20,960 Speaker 2: be open. 523 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:23,399 Speaker 4: Our training facility, and so I think it was. 524 00:23:23,400 --> 00:23:26,320 Speaker 2: Around June first that we got the green light to 525 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:29,320 Speaker 2: come train, and so it was optional for some people 526 00:23:29,400 --> 00:23:32,680 Speaker 2: to either stay at home or come into Anaheim and train. 527 00:23:32,760 --> 00:23:34,359 Speaker 2: And so I think we had like a small group 528 00:23:34,400 --> 00:23:36,560 Speaker 2: of like eight just training and trying to get some 529 00:23:36,600 --> 00:23:39,800 Speaker 2: work done. And then everyone went into their pro seasons 530 00:23:39,800 --> 00:23:42,720 Speaker 2: pretty early since we had no national team, and then 531 00:23:43,160 --> 00:23:45,399 Speaker 2: it was just you know, one one year of work 532 00:23:45,440 --> 00:23:47,320 Speaker 2: and then we got the call to come back and 533 00:23:47,359 --> 00:23:49,919 Speaker 2: everything was as normal as it could be with COVID 534 00:23:49,960 --> 00:23:53,360 Speaker 2: still happening, but with the Olympics being that in that year. 535 00:23:53,600 --> 00:23:55,480 Speaker 1: I want to get to your pros in just a second, 536 00:23:55,480 --> 00:23:57,720 Speaker 1: but I have to ask what went through your mind 537 00:23:57,760 --> 00:24:02,360 Speaker 1: when you found out that you are the la OL 538 00:24:02,560 --> 00:24:04,320 Speaker 1: for US women's national team. 539 00:24:04,600 --> 00:24:05,399 Speaker 4: Very emotional. 540 00:24:06,040 --> 00:24:10,040 Speaker 2: I will say, my journey has not been easy, like whatsoever. 541 00:24:10,119 --> 00:24:12,879 Speaker 2: I've I've been cut from teams, I've made teams, I've 542 00:24:12,920 --> 00:24:14,840 Speaker 2: been the starter, I've been a non starter. And so 543 00:24:15,480 --> 00:24:18,119 Speaker 2: for me to like say that I made the Olympics, 544 00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:22,040 Speaker 2: like I immediately started crying. I was so emotional, and I 545 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:25,159 Speaker 2: think it was just it was just emotional because like 546 00:24:25,440 --> 00:24:28,400 Speaker 2: I figured it out, it was a lot of self reflection. 547 00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:31,359 Speaker 2: Of course, it helped with my family and my teammates 548 00:24:31,359 --> 00:24:33,720 Speaker 2: and coaches, like everyone's been there for me, and I 549 00:24:33,720 --> 00:24:37,000 Speaker 2: feel like everyone's given me resources to get there. It 550 00:24:37,080 --> 00:24:39,920 Speaker 2: was just how can I figure it out? And so honestly, 551 00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:42,439 Speaker 2: it was such a relief and it was just like 552 00:24:42,640 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 2: so rewarding to hear that. And it was crazy because 553 00:24:46,000 --> 00:24:47,840 Speaker 2: we were in the bubble and so we couldn't like 554 00:24:47,880 --> 00:24:50,920 Speaker 2: immediately go like tell a teammate or anything because still 555 00:24:50,960 --> 00:24:52,840 Speaker 2: people were finding out if they. 556 00:24:52,760 --> 00:24:53,520 Speaker 4: Had made it or not. 557 00:24:53,640 --> 00:24:55,800 Speaker 2: So I called my mom and then I called my fiance, 558 00:24:56,040 --> 00:24:58,160 Speaker 2: and I was trying to be like extra quiet about 559 00:24:58,160 --> 00:25:00,320 Speaker 2: it because we like, it was just a weird time 560 00:25:00,440 --> 00:25:03,280 Speaker 2: and it was it was different than it ever had been. 561 00:25:03,400 --> 00:25:06,320 Speaker 2: Is very unique, but it was Yeah, a lot of 562 00:25:06,359 --> 00:25:07,280 Speaker 2: emotions for sure. 563 00:25:07,359 --> 00:25:09,639 Speaker 3: Well I was like holding back emotions a little bit. 564 00:25:09,760 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 4: Yeah anything, Yeah, exactly. 565 00:25:12,119 --> 00:25:12,320 Speaker 2: Yeah. 566 00:25:12,359 --> 00:25:14,880 Speaker 1: Exciting though You're like, I mean, you were the best 567 00:25:14,920 --> 00:25:16,000 Speaker 1: lorero in the United States. 568 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:17,840 Speaker 3: That's basically what contact, which is amazing. 569 00:25:19,480 --> 00:25:23,280 Speaker 1: So when you got to Tokyo and twenty twenty, no fans, right, 570 00:25:23,480 --> 00:25:27,280 Speaker 1: and so Pears is going to be full of spectators, right, 571 00:25:27,400 --> 00:25:29,760 Speaker 1: So what was it like playing with no fans. 572 00:25:29,760 --> 00:25:31,479 Speaker 3: So what do you think it will be like to 573 00:25:31,520 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 3: play in Paris with fans. 574 00:25:32,840 --> 00:25:35,000 Speaker 4: I think it's going to be very different. 575 00:25:35,080 --> 00:25:38,680 Speaker 2: I think honestly, having no fans was like one less distraction, 576 00:25:39,000 --> 00:25:42,320 Speaker 2: especially a lot of us were like newcomers to the Olympics. 577 00:25:42,440 --> 00:25:44,360 Speaker 2: I mean, there are a lot of venues that we've 578 00:25:44,359 --> 00:25:46,800 Speaker 2: played in, a lot of different countries that we've played 579 00:25:46,800 --> 00:25:48,840 Speaker 2: in that have a lot of fans, Like you know, 580 00:25:48,880 --> 00:25:51,240 Speaker 2: when we go to Brazil, they're always showing up for 581 00:25:51,440 --> 00:25:53,159 Speaker 2: their for their team, And. 582 00:25:55,520 --> 00:25:58,520 Speaker 1: I want to quickly point out how popular volleyball is 583 00:25:58,560 --> 00:26:03,400 Speaker 1: in Brazil. Soccer is the country's largest sport, but volleyball 584 00:26:03,520 --> 00:26:07,680 Speaker 1: is second, with a quarter of Brazil's population calling themselves 585 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:10,679 Speaker 1: a fan. Their men's and women's team have dominated the 586 00:26:10,680 --> 00:26:14,639 Speaker 1: sport worldwide for years decades, even having won a total 587 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:17,880 Speaker 1: of five gold medals between the two teams eleven Olympic 588 00:26:17,920 --> 00:26:22,080 Speaker 1: medals overall. The women recently earned silver in the Tokyo Games, 589 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:26,000 Speaker 1: losing to Team USA in the finals. Now back to 590 00:26:26,160 --> 00:26:26,760 Speaker 1: just scene. 591 00:26:27,640 --> 00:26:31,000 Speaker 2: Same in Japan, same and honestly Arlington last year at 592 00:26:31,040 --> 00:26:34,200 Speaker 2: Vienna was a huge turnout, So I think we've definitely 593 00:26:34,359 --> 00:26:38,480 Speaker 2: had experiences where we've played in full crowds. It's just 594 00:26:38,560 --> 00:26:41,680 Speaker 2: you know, when it's the Olympics, it's the biggest stage possible, 595 00:26:41,760 --> 00:26:44,480 Speaker 2: so that obviously adds a layer of pressure. So I 596 00:26:44,480 --> 00:26:46,960 Speaker 2: think what will be good about is just front loading 597 00:26:47,000 --> 00:26:49,120 Speaker 2: that and really trying to be good for each other. 598 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:51,920 Speaker 2: A lot of eye contact, a lot of hand contact, 599 00:26:52,040 --> 00:26:55,159 Speaker 2: I think typically is really good for us, and just 600 00:26:55,640 --> 00:26:57,760 Speaker 2: knowing that there are people that will be there and 601 00:26:57,800 --> 00:27:00,199 Speaker 2: so how can we help those that have maybe not 602 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:00,680 Speaker 2: been there? 603 00:27:00,800 --> 00:27:02,800 Speaker 3: What do you do on those little flights, Like what 604 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:05,920 Speaker 3: do you read? Do you watch tape? You're like picking 605 00:27:06,000 --> 00:27:08,280 Speaker 3: up the TV and on the back of the chairs. 606 00:27:08,400 --> 00:27:11,919 Speaker 2: Honestly, I'm really good about sleeping on the flight, So 607 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:13,920 Speaker 2: as much as as much sleep as I can get, 608 00:27:14,000 --> 00:27:14,520 Speaker 2: I'll sleep. 609 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:17,600 Speaker 4: And then a lot of us watch movies and. 610 00:27:17,840 --> 00:27:19,760 Speaker 2: A lot of us we have a lot of readers 611 00:27:19,760 --> 00:27:21,919 Speaker 2: on the team, so either a book or their kindle 612 00:27:22,000 --> 00:27:22,720 Speaker 2: they'll bring. 613 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:23,119 Speaker 4: You read it. 614 00:27:23,400 --> 00:27:25,479 Speaker 3: Yeah, which like your go to genre? 615 00:27:25,760 --> 00:27:28,800 Speaker 4: I love a good romance book? Oh yeah? Really? 616 00:27:28,960 --> 00:27:30,800 Speaker 3: Yeah? What is it about a roman? I'm not into 617 00:27:30,880 --> 00:27:33,080 Speaker 3: romance books. I don't know what it is. But what 618 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:34,280 Speaker 3: do you love about them? 619 00:27:34,440 --> 00:27:36,280 Speaker 4: I don't know, just like the fantasy of it all. 620 00:27:36,280 --> 00:27:38,520 Speaker 4: Maybe love. 621 00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:43,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, yeah, I've read like a thriller here I'm there. 622 00:27:44,440 --> 00:27:46,720 Speaker 2: I have to be careful of when I'm reading that 623 00:27:46,920 --> 00:27:48,560 Speaker 2: because I'm like late. 624 00:27:48,359 --> 00:27:49,600 Speaker 4: At night, like, no, thank you? 625 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:51,160 Speaker 3: Is your romantic? 626 00:27:52,440 --> 00:27:55,080 Speaker 4: He can be? He can be. 627 00:27:55,400 --> 00:27:57,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, what's the most romantic thing he's done. 628 00:27:57,680 --> 00:28:01,919 Speaker 2: So unfortunately we're never together for Valentine's Day because I'm 629 00:28:01,960 --> 00:28:05,240 Speaker 2: always overseas, And so last year when I was in France, 630 00:28:05,320 --> 00:28:08,439 Speaker 2: he had all of us actually stayed in the same 631 00:28:08,560 --> 00:28:11,200 Speaker 2: like complex. So one of my teammates that I was 632 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 2: pretty close to, he reached out to her and so 633 00:28:14,480 --> 00:28:18,439 Speaker 2: he had it arranged with like flowers, champagne, chocolates, and 634 00:28:18,520 --> 00:28:21,720 Speaker 2: so she came into she was like, go upstairs real quick, 635 00:28:21,720 --> 00:28:23,359 Speaker 2: I'm gonna set something up, and so she put it 636 00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:24,919 Speaker 2: on the table for me and she was like, this 637 00:28:25,040 --> 00:28:25,720 Speaker 2: is for me Andrew. 638 00:28:25,880 --> 00:28:26,879 Speaker 4: So that was really sweet. 639 00:28:27,200 --> 00:28:29,520 Speaker 2: He's pretty good about that, like reaching out to a 640 00:28:29,560 --> 00:28:32,240 Speaker 2: teammate if it's like a big you know, holiday or 641 00:28:32,240 --> 00:28:34,159 Speaker 2: like anniversary or something. 642 00:28:34,080 --> 00:28:36,320 Speaker 1: Well, next year you're going to be part of love 643 00:28:36,359 --> 00:28:37,960 Speaker 1: and you're gonna be here in the state, so you 644 00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:38,840 Speaker 1: get to celebrate. 645 00:28:38,960 --> 00:28:45,240 Speaker 5: Yeah, he better fly to Nebraska, that's a lot easier exactly. Germany, Yeah, yeah, 646 00:28:45,280 --> 00:28:47,680 Speaker 5: for sure, So real quick going to your pro league, 647 00:28:47,720 --> 00:28:49,480 Speaker 5: What was it like playing internationally? 648 00:28:49,560 --> 00:28:53,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, versus internationally with a yeah team. 649 00:28:53,320 --> 00:28:56,320 Speaker 2: It's pretty different, I think just the lifestyle and also 650 00:28:56,680 --> 00:29:00,520 Speaker 2: the language barrier, for sure, is it sometimes you know, 651 00:29:01,200 --> 00:29:03,880 Speaker 2: in Germany for example, every like actually I would say 652 00:29:03,880 --> 00:29:07,840 Speaker 2: in France too, everyone speaks English. It's just how you 653 00:29:07,960 --> 00:29:11,160 Speaker 2: go into a practice or how maybe systems are differently, 654 00:29:11,240 --> 00:29:14,320 Speaker 2: and so I think that's been the biggest differentiator with 655 00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:17,880 Speaker 2: like being you know, home with Americans and then also 656 00:29:17,920 --> 00:29:21,600 Speaker 2: being overseas with just a lot of international players. It's 657 00:29:21,720 --> 00:29:25,360 Speaker 2: just how we approach things. And I think that's been 658 00:29:26,000 --> 00:29:29,000 Speaker 2: kind of tough to overcome at some points in some 659 00:29:29,040 --> 00:29:31,200 Speaker 2: seasons because you're not going to you know, have the 660 00:29:31,240 --> 00:29:34,760 Speaker 2: same outlook as maybe a Serbian or Hungarian and so. 661 00:29:35,080 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 2: And that's fine, but it's just how can can we 662 00:29:37,360 --> 00:29:40,040 Speaker 2: collaborate and you know, get on a common ground. But 663 00:29:40,080 --> 00:29:43,040 Speaker 2: it's very fun because you meet so many different people 664 00:29:43,040 --> 00:29:45,040 Speaker 2: that maybe you wouldn't have met in like, you know, 665 00:29:45,120 --> 00:29:48,160 Speaker 2: normal jobs and so, and it's so fun to be 666 00:29:48,240 --> 00:29:52,120 Speaker 2: able to establish those relationships and also like you know, 667 00:29:52,160 --> 00:29:54,160 Speaker 2: down the road they're like, hey, like can I come 668 00:29:54,200 --> 00:29:56,560 Speaker 2: visit you at California or vice versa, like can I 669 00:29:56,600 --> 00:29:58,840 Speaker 2: come visit you in Hungary? And so I think that's 670 00:29:58,840 --> 00:30:01,680 Speaker 2: always fun to make those real relationships and also keep 671 00:30:01,720 --> 00:30:02,440 Speaker 2: them for sure. 672 00:30:02,520 --> 00:30:04,480 Speaker 1: And then I feel like all the different cultures and 673 00:30:04,520 --> 00:30:07,920 Speaker 1: all the different food that they can make and experience. 674 00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:10,880 Speaker 4: Yes, that's so fun. Yeah, we had that one time. 675 00:30:11,080 --> 00:30:13,200 Speaker 2: We actually had a Thanksgiving this past year and we 676 00:30:13,240 --> 00:30:16,360 Speaker 2: had some girls like bring stuff like from their own 677 00:30:16,400 --> 00:30:19,840 Speaker 2: culture and that was super fun, super fun because they're 678 00:30:19,840 --> 00:30:20,800 Speaker 2: like what is Thanksgiving? 679 00:30:20,880 --> 00:30:23,160 Speaker 4: Like we've never heard of it or like basically we 680 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:24,600 Speaker 4: just make a bunch of food and eat. 681 00:30:24,840 --> 00:30:25,040 Speaker 1: Yeah. 682 00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:27,880 Speaker 3: So some people came over and found the rock and 683 00:30:28,600 --> 00:30:29,400 Speaker 3: became friends. 684 00:30:29,600 --> 00:30:32,480 Speaker 5: Yeah yeah, yeah, exactly what did they make there? 685 00:30:32,600 --> 00:30:37,680 Speaker 4: Was our setup made musaka. It's basically like a lasagna. 686 00:30:37,200 --> 00:30:41,480 Speaker 2: But with a lot of different like Mediterranean vegetables. 687 00:30:41,840 --> 00:30:42,840 Speaker 4: It was super yummy. 688 00:30:42,920 --> 00:30:43,840 Speaker 3: So coming back. 689 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:46,920 Speaker 1: To love being here in the States, Yeah, what are 690 00:30:46,960 --> 00:30:49,240 Speaker 1: you looking forward to the most now that you're going 691 00:30:49,320 --> 00:30:50,240 Speaker 1: to be playing professionally. 692 00:30:50,600 --> 00:30:54,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think getting more opportunities to play in front 693 00:30:54,640 --> 00:30:56,800 Speaker 2: of friends and family, and with that, I think also 694 00:30:57,000 --> 00:31:00,640 Speaker 2: like spreading the word about professional volley I think at 695 00:31:00,720 --> 00:31:03,680 Speaker 2: least when I was younger, like I didn't know where 696 00:31:03,720 --> 00:31:06,640 Speaker 2: to go for pro volleyball, like what that might even 697 00:31:06,680 --> 00:31:08,920 Speaker 2: look like. And so I think spreading that awareness to 698 00:31:08,960 --> 00:31:11,440 Speaker 2: the young athletes and knowing that, you know, if they 699 00:31:11,560 --> 00:31:14,000 Speaker 2: do want to do this in the later years, it's 700 00:31:14,040 --> 00:31:17,560 Speaker 2: there for them, and just connecting, you know, the pro 701 00:31:17,720 --> 00:31:20,600 Speaker 2: to the youth is going to be I think for me, 702 00:31:20,720 --> 00:31:22,320 Speaker 2: I'm really excited about that part. 703 00:31:22,640 --> 00:31:25,560 Speaker 1: And your former club team is a love team. All yeah, 704 00:31:25,680 --> 00:31:27,280 Speaker 1: it's like all full circle, right, I. 705 00:31:27,280 --> 00:31:29,520 Speaker 4: Know, I know, I'm really excited to go back to Omaha. 706 00:31:29,640 --> 00:31:32,760 Speaker 1: Speaking of Nebraska real quick, because Nebraska just had that 707 00:31:32,920 --> 00:31:34,080 Speaker 1: record setting. 708 00:31:33,760 --> 00:31:35,880 Speaker 4: Oh my gosh, world record setting apparents. 709 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:38,120 Speaker 3: You know, most people had attendance at a women's spring. 710 00:31:38,400 --> 00:31:40,840 Speaker 1: Did do you ever imagine at some point that that 711 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:42,160 Speaker 1: could have happened when you were playing? 712 00:31:42,640 --> 00:31:45,560 Speaker 4: No, Oh my gosh, I'm like no. 713 00:31:45,720 --> 00:31:48,520 Speaker 2: But also I'm not surprised that Nebraska was able to 714 00:31:48,560 --> 00:31:52,200 Speaker 2: pull that off because the state of Nebraska is so 715 00:31:52,200 --> 00:31:53,280 Speaker 2: so invested in. 716 00:31:53,560 --> 00:31:55,480 Speaker 4: Volleyball, but also like the sports in. 717 00:31:55,480 --> 00:31:57,800 Speaker 2: General, and I think when I was there, you could 718 00:31:57,840 --> 00:32:00,880 Speaker 2: feel that as an athlete, you could really feel that support, 719 00:32:01,000 --> 00:32:03,920 Speaker 2: and I think they're like all for everything that's about 720 00:32:03,960 --> 00:32:06,080 Speaker 2: to come. And so I think that's the most special 721 00:32:06,120 --> 00:32:09,040 Speaker 2: part is including them, you know, with love and being 722 00:32:09,080 --> 00:32:11,120 Speaker 2: able to play in front of them and just see 723 00:32:11,160 --> 00:32:12,320 Speaker 2: what we can do for the sport. 724 00:32:12,560 --> 00:32:15,160 Speaker 1: So, speaking about you personally, what do you hope that 725 00:32:15,320 --> 00:32:17,640 Speaker 1: your legacy as a volleyball player will be. 726 00:32:17,920 --> 00:32:21,560 Speaker 2: I would love to just hopefully like inspire the young athletes, 727 00:32:21,640 --> 00:32:23,760 Speaker 2: like I said, because I think coming from a club 728 00:32:23,800 --> 00:32:26,720 Speaker 2: Mazu in a long beach and having that family environment, 729 00:32:26,880 --> 00:32:29,600 Speaker 2: like I want that for the young athletes. I want 730 00:32:29,640 --> 00:32:32,160 Speaker 2: them to be like, oh, you know, love, Omaha athlete 731 00:32:32,200 --> 00:32:34,920 Speaker 2: came to my practice and was able to mentor me, 732 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:37,040 Speaker 2: and so I think for me that's the biggest thing 733 00:32:37,120 --> 00:32:39,320 Speaker 2: is just being able to pass it down to the 734 00:32:39,360 --> 00:32:40,640 Speaker 2: younger athletes for sure. 735 00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:44,360 Speaker 3: And what do you hope volleyball will be in five 736 00:32:44,920 --> 00:32:45,480 Speaker 3: ten years? 737 00:32:45,560 --> 00:32:48,760 Speaker 2: Oh my gosh, I hope we have a love team 738 00:32:48,800 --> 00:32:51,680 Speaker 2: in every state and you know we're able to do 739 00:32:52,400 --> 00:32:55,400 Speaker 2: this long term and who knows, Like I'm down to 740 00:32:55,400 --> 00:32:56,040 Speaker 2: play it for. 741 00:32:55,960 --> 00:32:59,160 Speaker 4: As long as I can. Now if we have volleyball. 742 00:32:58,720 --> 00:33:02,200 Speaker 2: In America, like I can see people prolonging their career. 743 00:33:02,320 --> 00:33:04,440 Speaker 2: And also I think it's really cool that like even 744 00:33:04,480 --> 00:33:07,240 Speaker 2: Europeans and other countries are able to come because I 745 00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:10,120 Speaker 2: think when they hear about America and volleyball in the 746 00:33:10,120 --> 00:33:12,000 Speaker 2: same sentence, they're like, so for it. 747 00:33:12,320 --> 00:33:16,280 Speaker 1: What advice do you have for girls who are coming up? 748 00:33:16,320 --> 00:33:19,080 Speaker 3: But also since your parents were so involved, yes, for 749 00:33:19,440 --> 00:33:20,160 Speaker 3: what advice. 750 00:33:19,880 --> 00:33:22,960 Speaker 1: Do you have for parents who are dealing with kids 751 00:33:23,040 --> 00:33:24,800 Speaker 1: or who have kids who want to pursue this. 752 00:33:24,920 --> 00:33:27,520 Speaker 2: I would just say for the parents, as long as 753 00:33:27,560 --> 00:33:29,959 Speaker 2: they want it, keep on encouraging them to do it, 754 00:33:30,000 --> 00:33:32,680 Speaker 2: because I think for me, like I've always had that 755 00:33:32,720 --> 00:33:36,480 Speaker 2: and I've always felt supported and even if it wasn't vulleyable, 756 00:33:36,520 --> 00:33:38,160 Speaker 2: like they were going to support me no matter what. 757 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:41,040 Speaker 2: And so I think that's always a good feeling to have, 758 00:33:41,160 --> 00:33:45,320 Speaker 2: especially when you're younger and as a young athlete. I 759 00:33:45,360 --> 00:33:47,680 Speaker 2: would just say, like I would encourage them to keep 760 00:33:47,720 --> 00:33:49,080 Speaker 2: playing every. 761 00:33:48,800 --> 00:33:52,080 Speaker 4: Position in volleyball, also play all the sports that you can. 762 00:33:52,200 --> 00:33:54,280 Speaker 2: I think you know a lot of young kids, they 763 00:33:54,400 --> 00:33:56,160 Speaker 2: just like really get put in a box, and I 764 00:33:56,200 --> 00:33:58,840 Speaker 2: think down the road that's only going to limit them. 765 00:33:58,880 --> 00:33:59,560 Speaker 4: And I feel like. 766 00:34:00,040 --> 00:34:02,760 Speaker 2: As we grow and grow, the sport, and we're trying to, 767 00:34:02,920 --> 00:34:06,040 Speaker 2: you know, bring the international game here to America. There's 768 00:34:06,120 --> 00:34:09,520 Speaker 2: going to be just less substitutions, for example, and I 769 00:34:09,560 --> 00:34:11,120 Speaker 2: think the game is going to evolve. 770 00:34:11,200 --> 00:34:12,600 Speaker 4: And so as long as you. 771 00:34:12,560 --> 00:34:16,000 Speaker 2: Can really be well rounded and see yourself, you know, 772 00:34:16,080 --> 00:34:18,400 Speaker 2: doing multiple positions for as long as you can, I 773 00:34:18,400 --> 00:34:20,879 Speaker 2: think that's only going to enhance your career and make 774 00:34:20,960 --> 00:34:22,200 Speaker 2: you a better volleyball player. 775 00:34:22,640 --> 00:34:24,480 Speaker 1: Well just see, thank you so much for joining me 776 00:34:24,520 --> 00:34:28,279 Speaker 1: for pink Thanks for having me. Serving Pancakes is an 777 00:34:28,360 --> 00:34:32,320 Speaker 1: iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep Blue Sports 778 00:34:32,360 --> 00:34:35,680 Speaker 1: and Entertainment. You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, 779 00:34:35,880 --> 00:34:39,920 Speaker 1: Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Production by 780 00:34:40,000 --> 00:34:44,719 Speaker 1: League One Volleyball. I'm your host Tiffany Oshinsky. Anya Oliverarez 781 00:34:44,840 --> 00:34:48,480 Speaker 1: is our senior producer. Our executive producers are Carrie Stett, 782 00:34:48,680 --> 00:34:53,120 Speaker 1: Tamara Daiki, and Lindsay Hoffman. Our marketing lead is Jawara Parker. 783 00:34:53,760 --> 00:34:57,960 Speaker 1: Sound mixing by Max Lorenzen. Our theme music is Pancakes 784 00:34:58,120 --> 00:35:03,200 Speaker 1: by Eric W. Mast Junior special thanks to Justine Wangurantes. 785 00:35:03,840 --> 00:35:06,560 Speaker 1: We'll be back next week with Jordan Larson, a three 786 00:35:06,640 --> 00:35:10,040 Speaker 1: time Olympic medalist, who has dominated the sport for decades 787 00:35:10,080 --> 00:35:13,239 Speaker 1: as a powerful outside hitter, and who will be back 788 00:35:13,280 --> 00:35:16,560 Speaker 1: this summer in Paris. Stay tuned for what we serve 789 00:35:16,640 --> 00:35:17,120 Speaker 1: up next.