Aug. 21, 2009
The Gonzaga University women's volleyball student-athletes and staff recently took time out of their busy days to give some insight into what goes on during their preseason. They talk about a typical day, funny moments, and even dish on who has the messiest locker. Check it out!
Detail a typical preseason day.
Three days a week we will wake up at 6:30 a.m. for strength and conditioning until 7:45/8 a.m. Then we have breakfast. Then every day of the week, besides Sunday, we have a morning practice which is usually more skill specific and then a longer afternoon practice that incorporates the skills we learned in the morning practice in game like situations. Then we have the tasty McCarthey dinner and team bonding for the rest of the evening. Naps are also very important! - Senior Emily Johnson
Lift, breakfast, setters, practice, lunch, rest, practice, dinner, team challenge, sleep. - Head coach Dave Gantt.
Lifting at 7 a.m. with Mike Nielson and Sarah Michaelson. Breakfast at 8 a.m. Napping back at the dorms from 8:30-9:30 a.m. First practice at 10-11:30 a.m. Lunch from 11:45-12:15 p.m. Another nap at the dorms from 12:15-2 p.m. Second practice from 3-5:45 p.m. Delicious dinner at McCarthey Athletic Center from 5:45-6:15 p.m. Team activities in dorms and eat more food. Pass out by 10 p.m. - Sophomore Laura Day
Lifting at 6:45, then breakfast with the team at the COG. We then have a little break where a lot of us like to nap. Next, we have practice around 10 where we focus mostly on defense and then go to lunch! (and cross our fingers they have cookies!!) In the afternoon we have a practice with an emphasis on offense and 6-on-6 drills. Then we have the night off to relax and enjoy spending time with our teammates. - Senior Layne Brosky
What is the biggest adjustment to the college game and why?
The biggest adjustment to the college game is the mental and physical aspect of the game. Everything is taught and applied that day and is expected to be executed immediately. We use all our skills to succeed in our conference and as a team. Everything is well organized and planned. - Freshman Nicole Lowell
The biggest adjustment to college game, for me, is working our several times a day as opposed to a few times a week. Also being sore every day. - Freshman Terran Poindexter
What is your favorite moment so far of preseason?
Team dinners in the McCarthey Athletic Center. Thanks Mike Schroeder and his staff. The food is awesome and healthy. I look forward to it every day. Also, having a little new "Zag" member in Cullen Bennett (newborn son of assistant coach Abby Bennett). - Assistant Coach Brynn Murphy
Ice baths after practice! We sing. - Freshman Jessie Genger
Taking over the Gap and all looking for black pants to wear for traveling (on team road trips). We all pretty much have the same pair now. I think they almost sold out of them. Also, singing in the ice baths after practice to distract ourselves from the coldness and the movies in the dorms after dinner. - Junior Kelsey Bashaw
Team sing along's while taking ice baths. Team scavenger hunt around Spokane. - Junior Brittney Beatty
What has been your favorite team meal?
My favorite team meal was dinner at assistant coach Abby Bennett's house the night before preseason began. - Freshman Nicole Lowell
Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks with Mike Schroeder's special rice. Also an assortment of fruit (cantaloupe, watermelon, etc.). "Served with caterer's love" - Head coach Dave Gantt
The best team meal was when we had steak and "stu-del". It was the best meal thus far because everyone appreciated the fact that it was catered. - Freshman Terran Poindexter
What has been the hardest part of preseason so far?
Walking from the dorms to the gym while being sore. - Freshman Meredith Crenshaw
The 7 a.m. lifting is tough. Also getting used to COG food again and getting over the soreness and blisters. - Sophomore Kaprina Goodwin
Muscles I didn't know I had seem to be very sore. Long days; we have to be mentally tough. - Sophomore Allyson Powell
What do you and your teammates do on your down time during preseason?
I spend time with my roommate Caitlin (Cozad) and talk to my family. And when we aren't practicing we hang out together as a team. Watch movies. - Freshman Meredith Crenshaw
I catch on the HBO series True Blood. I make desserts and nap when I can. - Sophomore Kaprina Goodwin
When we aren't practicing, our team enjoys a relaxing movie in the dorms. Cuddled around a laptop, we dive into conversation and learn more and more about each other. Whether we're sitting around in Welch, or making runs to get food, we are constantly bonding as a unit. - Sophomore Allyson Powell
Do Coach Dave Gantt/Coach Brynn Murphy/Coach Bennett/Coach Allen have any favorite sayings? If so, what are they?
Coach Allen Allen likes to say: "Boss knows" and "That a girl". - Freshman Jessie Genger
Coach Allen Allen: "Taken another step today." Coach Dave Gantt: "Just playing a game." "There's more than one way to skin a cat." Coach Brynn Murphy: "Put the box on the shelf." - Junior Kelsey Bashaw
Coach Dave Gantt: "Food for Thought". Coach Brynn Murphy: "Aww Rick." - Junior Brittney Beatty
What is the funniest thing that has happened during preseason?
We sing oldie songs in the ice baths to pass the time because it is SO cold. - Senior Emily Johnson
Coach Allen calling Jessie (Genger), Jessica when that isn't her real name...Laura (that's me) getting a crazy rash on her leg consisting of 46 bumps!...Caitlin (Cozad) walking into the ice bath. - Sophomore Laura Day
Our team really enjoys our time in the ice bath. We spend out 15 minutes per day in the 50-degree water and freeze! But to pass the time quicker, we sing childhood songs at the top of our lungs. It's a good way to pass the time!! - Senior Layne Brosky
What is your favorite drill at practice?
I really like "Rotation Chase". Each team starts in Ro-1 and from there it's a competition to complete all six rotations before the other team. I like this drill because it is game like, highly competitive, it forces us to execute every play, and more importantly middles get to play front AND back row!!!!! - Junior Caitlin Cozad
Rotational Chase. It is a race between the two teams to get through all six rotations. You have to win a serve, down ball, and free ball. My team won! - Sophomore Denise Van de Mortel
We serve areas to add or subtract up to three sprints and Layne (Brosky) doubled or nothing to Zone 3 and made it! We only had one sprint. - Senior Michelle Boevers
Let's find out about whose whom on the women's volleyball team.
Who is the prankster on the team? Kaprina Goodwin
Who is the quietest on the team? Terran Poindexter
Who has surprised you most so far this preseason? Caitlin Cozad
Who has kept her locker the cleanest? Laura Day
Who has the messiest locker? Layne Brosky
Who works the hardest in the weight room? Allyson Powell or Emily Johnson
- Assistant Coach Brynn Murphy
Who is the prankster on the team? Michelle Boevers
Who is the quietest on the team? Terran Poindexter
Who has surprised you most so far this preseason? Allyson Powell
Who has kept her locker the cleanest? Kelsey Bashaw
Who has the messiest locker? Layne Brosky or Denise Van de Mortel
Who works the hardest in the weight room? Emily Johnson
- Junior Caitlin Cozad
Who is the prankster on the team? Michelle Boevers, she always has a comment to lighten the mood
Who is the quietest on the team? Terran Poindexter, she's...shy! HA
Who has surprised you most so far this preseason? Jessie Genger. I have never seen her play before and she's kicking some serious booty.
Who has kept her locker the cleanest? Brittney Beatty and it is obvious because it is next to mine, which is probably the messiest.
Who has the messiest locker? Mine or Layne Brosky's, we often reach the middle of the locker room with our stuff.
Who works the hardest in the weight room? Emily Johnson, she's a personal trainer.
- Sophomore Denise Van de Mortel
Who is the prankster on the team? Probably me, I'm always doing something to lighten the mood and make people laugh.
Who is the quietest on the team? I think her name is Terran? She hasn't said it yet. HA
Who has surprised you most so far this preseason? Jessie Genger. I didn't know her before but she is amazing so far! Best frosh for sure.
Who has kept her locker the cleanest? Brittney Beatty. She's very organized.
Who has the messiest locker? Laura Day. I use it as my trash can when she's not looking.
Who works the hardest in the weight room? Emily Johnson, the girl is a certified personal trainer.
- Senior Michelle Boevers.
