Sept. 2, 2015
By Riley Duncan
UTSports.com
The Tennessee Volunteers opened the volleyball season with a strong showing over the weekend, going 4-0 at the Towson Invitational in Towson, Md., with wins over Delaware State, Towson, Coppin State, and Saint Francis (PA).
Outside Hitter Bri Holmes made her Tennessee debut and started all four games for the Volunteers, recording a total of 39 kills.
Holmes is a 5-10 junior transfer from UC-Riverside, where she led the Highlanders in attacks and kills for the 2014 season.
As the Vols prepare for the upcoming DISH Tennessee Volleyball Classic, Holmes joined us for a Q&A to allow fans to get a better idea of who she is.
Q: The team started off the season this weekend going 4-0. How did it feel to get back out there on the court?
A:
It felt pretty good. I mean, I've been off the court for about five months now, so it was really good to back in to the game and come out getting W's. I'm really happy to be here and really excited to see what we do this season.
Q: Why have you been off the court for the past five months?
A:
I transferred from my old school, UC Riverside, and I just came in and didn't have the chance to play competitive volleyball during the spring. So this is kind of my first opportunity this year to play competitive volleyball.
Q: Do you have any goals for the season?
A:
Definitely to make the NCAA Tournament. That's my biggest goal for us this season, and also just kind of to exceed expectations of what people expect for us to accomplish this season.
Q: Why do you wear #15?
A:
Actually my number has no significance to me, honestly. I just got the number. I want to put a name behind it of course.
Q: Why did you choose to transfer to Tennessee?
A:
Definitely the coaching. That was my biggest thing, just Rob [Patrick], and what he looks for in his players, the way he coaches, and his coaching style. It was just everything I was looking for. He just kind of checked all the boxes on my list, and it just worked out and I'm having a great time so far.
Q: Who is the biggest influence in your life?
A:
My mom. She has overcome a lot of obstacles in her life, and she's just someone I look up to, not necessarily athletically, but in all areas of my life. Even in volleyball, too. She's just a good role model for me to look up to and I definitely aspire to be like her one day.
Q: Your sister, Ariana, plays soccer at Mississippi State. What's your relationship with her?
A:
We're actually really tight. She's come to visit me once so far, but hopefully I'll get to go see her soon. We're really close. We've become really close in these past few years, so I think college has made us closer.
Q: You're from California. So are you a Lakers or a Clippers fan?
A:
Clippers, definitely.
Q: What was your thought process during the DeAndre Jordan saga this summer, where he initially decided to sign with the Dallas Mavericks before flipping back to re-sign with the Clippers?
A:
At first, I was really disappointed that the Clippers had lost him. I really thought he was gone for good, but as soon as Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and all of them flew down to Houston to see him, I knew we were going to get him back for sure.
Q: Who's your best friend on the team?
A:
I love Megan Hatcher and just her enthusiasm all the time. It's great. So infectious, too.
Q: What is your pregame routine?
A:
I pretty much just relax, get my mind right, and just try and visualize myself having a good game, getting kills, limiting errors and all that. And then one of my pregame rituals is putting on chapstick. Nivea.
Q: What's something that you're passionate about or could talk forever about?
A:
I would say the TV show House of Cards. That show is really interesting to me. I got in to it after my mom told me about it and I just watched the entire season in like one day.
Q: Are you a big Netflix person?
A:
Yeah. Definitely. When I have some free time, I'm on Netflix.
Q: Who are some of your favorite musical artists?
A:
My number one favorite is J. Cole, the rapper. He's my favorite, definitely. Other than that, I like some Drake sometimes. I like Kehlani. 2 Chainz is pretty cool sometimes too.
Q: If you had to pick one karaoke song to sing, what would it be?
A:
It would probably be a Beyoncé song; I just don't know which one.
