Student-Athlete Insider: Volleyball

As the 2011 SAC volleyball season nears its start, several of the league's student-athletes shared their thoughts about their offseason and the upcoming year with theSAC.com.

What are you looking forward to most about being back on campus and starting the season?

Tiffany Rowe (Jr., Anderson): "I'm really looking forward meeting my new teammates and am so ready to start practicing with them, seeing how we gel together and working out all the kinks before our first official game."

Ashley Sarmiento (So., Tusculum): "I am most excited about spending time with my teammates both in and out of the gym. They are great teammates and friends."

Maggie Malone (Sr., Wingate): "I am really looking forward to getting back with my teammates on campus. We have a really close bond; being apart for three months during the summer is hard. I am also ready to get back to playing matches. Our school's atmosphere is completely different once matches start; myself and my teammates really enjoy this time."

What's it like getting back to campus and meeting your freshmen teammates? Any specific way you try to approach meeting new teammates?

Tiffany Rowe (Jr., Anderson): "Because our season starts literally when we set foot on campus, we don't have a lot of time to learn much about each other. We have to work together both on and off the court to grow closer together."

Ashley Sarmiento (So., Tusculum): "This fall will be very exciting in meeting/welcoming the incoming teammates -- or family members. I would say I try to approach potential new teammates by treating them like part of the family because they are looking to join the program."

Maggie Malone (Sr., Wingate): "Coach Collier really has us interact with our freshmen before they come to campus their freshman year; for us, interacting with the freshmen is easy and simple. We already have a solid relationship with the freshmen - this makes it easier to communicate on the volleyball court. One approach our team has with our freshman is to help them with anything they need. College is a very new and nerve racking experience (for everyone). If we are there for our freshman whenever they need us, this will help them adapt to college life. This will also bring a better bond to our team."

What's challenging about getting back to practice after being on summer vacation?

Tiffany Rowe (Jr., Anderson): "When we're in school we practice throughout the week. We are lifting, running, jumping, attacking, digging, and blocking constantly. However, when we go back home (for the summer), we might not all have access to the same equipment and playing time as we're accustomed to."

Ashley Sarmiento (So., Tusculum): "During summer, training is a lot about discipline and pushing yourself. Once back in the gym with teammates, training becomes a competition, pushing each other. It's nice to have teammates to challenge you daily and support you when needed."

Sydney Yeomans (Jr., Brevard): "It is a very big challenge, because you are not getting to play and work out as much. On campus, we're always busy with something, so it can be difficult coming back and getting back into the season."

What game are you most looking forward to this season?

Ashley Sarmiento (So., Tusculum): "I am most looking forward to our home volleyball tournament at the start of the season. It is going to be great competition, and it's nice having the TC student body, family members, and supporters at the matches."

Sydney Yeomans (Jr., Brevard): "I am looking forward to our first scheduled game, which happens to be a tournament in Charlotte. I have been here for 2 years now, and we've never been to a two-day tournament. I'm very excited to see how we do."

Maggie Malone (Sr., Wingate): "I am mostly looking forward to our home matches. Our fans create a really fun and exciting atmosphere that gives us an extra excitement for our home match. Conference tournament and NCAA tournament are other times of the season when I really look forward to playing. All the marbles are on the table then; your team really gets to show what they are made of during that time. Tournament season really brings out the competitiveness and best out of teams."

Did you do anything exciting this summer?

Ashley Sarmiento (So., Tusculum): This summer was great. I had the opportunity to play sand volleyball multiple times a week, I worked with a lot of young volleyball players at various camps (I want to be a high school Math teacher and volleyball coach), and I picked up cooking as a hobby!"

Sydney Yeomans (Jr., Brevard): "I went to the beach with my family for the first time in a while. It was so relaxing and nice to just get away with loved ones."

Maggie Malone (Sr., Wingate): "I worked for the Chicago Park District. I was a day camp recreation leader for a six-week summer camp. I loved working with my nine-to-12 girls. They mean so much to me; I have a complete blast with them."