Alyssa GregoryRecently, junior volleyball player and co-captain Katie Quinn sat down with us for a quick chat before an afternoon practice at the Athletic Complex to discuss topics such as Disney movies, hookers and the best place to eat on campus.
Q: How did you get started playing volleyball?
A: Well, in fourth grade I think my parents bribed me to try out for the volleyball team. All my friends were doing it so I just did it as well and I’ve been playing since fourth grade on, non-stop.
Q: Why volleyball over other sports?
A: I played basketball and volleyball from fourth grade on and actually, in high school I hated volleyball. I compared it to sitting in a rocking hair and knitting. I was on the varsity team’s freshman basketball and I got totally turned off because my coach was like, “You’re never going to play volleyball in college.” So I decided I was going to show him. I quit basketball and started concentrating on volleyball and I’m really glad I did, I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like without it. I made the right decision.
Q: What’s your most memorable moment on the court?
A: I guess I don’t have just one memorable moment. I have a lot of them where it’s a close game and we come out and nothing hits the floor and kills are going down and we just come together as a team and win the game.
Q: What are your predictions for the rest of the season?
A: We definitely have our sights set on the national championship.
Q: How do you feel about being 30-0 and ranked #1 in Division III?
A: Actually, it’s not that much pressure right now because we still feel like we have a long way to go and a lot more things to cover. We’re just taking it one step at a time really and not really focusing just on the championship game because we’re only half way there.
Q: How good do you think the team can be? Do you think it has peaked?
A: No, I don’t think it’s peaked yet. I think we can still do better. After some games we still feel like we have a lot to work on and a lot more to accomplish.
Q: Is it true that a freshman can kick your butt.meaning Heidi Pfeiffer? (question supplied by volleyball coach Rich Luenemann)
A: Heidi? No Way! (laughs) Heidi definitely cannot kick my butt.
Q: How does it feel to be surrounded by six freshmen on the team?
A: The freshmen are really great. They’re all ready to go in and play at any given time and they’re always asking what can they do better. They’re just very vocal on the team and they’re funny and fun to be around.
Q: Do you have any hidden talents?
A: Well, I play the piano and I can also kick Heidi’s butt in piano. (laughs)
Q: Do you have a favorite type of music?
A: I like everything but country. I like Dave Mathews Band the most, but I don’t have a favorite song.
Q: How do you balance class and all your school-work with a sport?
A: Well, I’ve been doing it since fourth grade. You just learn to balance your time. If I wasn’t doing a sport I’d probably just be sitting around doing nothing so when I’m here [at volleyball], I’m here, and when I go home it’s time to do my work and I have no excuses.
Q: Do you have a favorite Disney movie?
A: Yes. Sleeping Beauty, because the dress ends up blue. You know when the dress changes from pink to blue? At the end of the story it ends up blue and I was really happy about that.
Q: Do you have a favorite sport to watch?
A: I love watching football and NBA basketball. I love the Bears but only because I’m from Chicago. Even though they’re losing I still love to watch them. The Rams don’t have a reason for me to watch them anymore.
Q: Explain your obsession with The Simpsons.
A: (laughs) All our jokes on the team revolve around The Simpsons. Our whole team will just sit their stretching and talking about The Simpsons.
Q: I was told that you affectionately refer to your teammates as “hooker.” How did this originate?
A: (laughs) That’s a great question. I don’t know, if some of the new freshmen seemed shy, I was trying to include everyone so I just started poking fun at them and saying things like “Oh, you’re such a hooker!” and eventually the whole team became “hookers” and we’re all in it together.
Q: What is a “Quinn?”
A: A Quinn? It’s this pick that apparently I developed, without my knowledge. It’s a hard throw. Sometimes reffs will call it but more often than not they won’t. It’s in between a hit and a tip.
Q: What’s your favorite place to eat on campus?
A: Small group housing morning brunches. I miss those now that I live off campus.