University of Tennessee Athletics
Volleyball Newcomers Share Their Thoughts on First Weeks of Practice
August 21, 2009 | Volleyball
Aug. 21, 2009
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - With a couple of weeks of practice under their belts, the five newcomers to the University of Tennessee volleyball program have begun to get settled and are looking to make an immediate impact on the team. UTLadyVols.com recently caught up with each of them to get their thoughts on joining the squad, how practices have gone and what their expectations are for this season.
JASMINE BROWN - Freshman - Setter/Defensive Specialist - Chattanooga, Tenn.
"I wasn't really sure of what I had gotten myself into before I arrived here, and I was scared out of my mind. When I got here, though, I found out that I had nothing to be afraid of. All the coaches and girls were very nice and encouraging. Specifically (seniors) Kylie (Marshall) and Farren (Powe). They helped me with all the questions I had about Tennessee. The retreat last week gave me a great chance to bond with my teammates, and that really helped me transition better. I was able to get closer to the girls and open up. Practices have been tough and very demanding, but tough and demanding was what I expected. With the help of all the coaches and my teammates I feel like I have improved greatly over the course of the first two weeks! I really, really like it here, I love Tennessee and I'm really glad that I was given a chance to be a part of the Lady Vol volleyball program."
LESLIE CIKRA - Freshman - Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker - Chagrin Falls, Ohio
"UT has been just what I expected. We are all working really hard, and it's a lot of fun. Preseason has been tough, but it's definitely worth it because we are all working towards a common goal of the SEC championship. Everyone drives and motivates each other to get better, which makes the practices even better. There has been a lot of good competition during practice and it gets better every day. The team has been awesome in helping with the transition. They are all really motivating and help us out so much in practice, with understanding plays and defenses. We had a lot of time to get close while we stayed in preseason dorms and it gave everyone an opportunity to get closer. I am really excited to see how our preseason tournaments go in the next few weeks with all the work we have been putting in towards being successful this season."
NATALIE GUERRA - Freshman - Setter - Santa Barbara, Calif.
"When I committed to the University Of Tennessee, all I knew was that it was full of school spirit and a there was a lot of orange. I never really believed it until I came here. Everyone here is so committed to the school and would probably do anything for it. Even though practices have been tough, I have meet some new amazing people that help me push through it every day. Even though the transition from California beaches to hot and humid Tennessee was hard, I have made some amazing new friends from both volleyball and soccer that make me love this school more and more each day. Thanks to the help of my coaches and teammates I have been improving tremendously! I cannot thank them enough. Go Lady Vols!"
REBEKAH SMITH - Freshman - Defensive Specialist/Outside Hitter - Memphis, Tenn.
"I absolutely love the University of Tennessee. From the coaches, players, office workers, to the teachers, everyone has been amazingly nice and worried about how comfortable I am. Because of that, I really feel at home despite the fact that we've had to switch up our dorm rooms. It's really nice and all of the girls are so helpful and really make you feel like you're a part of their family. The practices are really hard and it takes a lot to get through them but there is a feeling of accomplishment when you do. The sense of family that this team has is amazing, and the chemistry is so nice. The whole coaching staff is terrific and everyone is so helpful and concerned. Not only that, but they are so great at teaching and helping you understand where you need to be and how they want you to do things. I felt a really great connection with everyone at the retreat. It was an amazing bonding moment, especially when we were able to make fire, despite the fact that (mental training director) Joe (Whitney) and the other coaches were expecting us to give up within the first five minutes to teach us a lesson. We just all got together and worked really hard and made the fire. I'm really, really excited about this year and can't wait to see what we are going to do, because we are going to be great."
EMILY STEINBECK - Junior - Setter - Arlington Heights, Ill.
"My transition to the University of Tennessee has been seamless and I've felt right at home from the second I got on campus. I came to Knoxville in early July to attend the second session of summer school and the girls on the team welcomed me and made it an easy move. During the summer school session I did all my studying at the Thornton Center, which is a very beautiful building. The tutors at Thornton are outstanding and I really appreciate how friendly and accommodating they have been. I am also very impressed with the coaching staff and the strength and conditioning team. They do a very good of pushing you to your maximum without exceeding your limits. Coach Patrick's record speaks for itself and when you are part of his practices you realize how much he knows about the game of volleyball. He will make you into the best volleyball player you can be."
