April 21, 2005
Junior Rachel Nelson, an outside hitter from Sacramento, California, has been a vial part of the Georgetown volleyball team. She had 209 kills in the 2004 season and an impressive 24 service aces. She was also named one of the captains for the upcoming season. Nelson sat down with Simon Nurse to discuss some of the finer points of volleyball and her time at Georgetown.
Interview by Simon Nurse, Sports Information Intern
Simon Nurse: Being from California, is volleyball just everywhere?
Rachel Nelson: It's everywhere more so in Southern California, because I'm from Northern.I don't know, it's more prevalent in Southern California on the beaches and stuff. But there's a lot more volleyball and a lot more quality volleyball out in California than out here.
SN: What is easier to play on, sand or hard floor?
RN: I've played hard floor all my life so when I go to the beach my vertical is basically nonexistent. I think it's easier to play indoors but I have a lot more fun playing on the beach.
SN: Do you have any siblings?
RN: I have an older sister and she graduated from UC Davis in California. She's living in Sacramento right now so I'm the sister who went away and is doing the East Coast thing.
SN: Did she play volleyball?
RN: No, she was actually an All-American water polo player, and she was a swimmer her whole life, so that was her thing and volleyball was mine.
SN: So you said you're the sister that went away. What do you think is the biggest difference between the East Coast and the West Coast?
RN: Oh gosh you're going to get me in trouble here. I'd say the biggest difference is just the people. It's much more formal out here and people are more hesitant to talk to you, whereas in California people are just really open and always smiling and sayin' hi and out here people have to warm up to you first and then they open up. Not that I don't like one over the other, it's just different and more formal.
SN: What are you studying here?
RN: I'm studying business, I'm majoring in management and marketing, a leadership exchange focus. I hope to go into consulting, or something in the fashion industry on the management side of that.
SN: Who's your favorite designer?
RN: My favorite designer...I would have to say Christian Dior or Dolce and Gabbana.
SN: How's it been here for your past three years?
RN: How's it been? It's been fun. I've really enjoyed my experience here but it's much different than what I would have had in California. The classes are great, the area's amazing, there's so much to do.
SN: How do you plan to spend your last year in college?
RN: Well the first semester I'm going to be playing volleyball in the fall so that will be dedicated to that. And then in the spring I'll probably be like any other student and go out five nights a week, cuz I haven't done that for three years. Try to take easy classes spring semester. In the fall I'm going to try to get my job settled and hopefully do the recruiting and everything and then just kinda take it easy and have a lot of fun.
SN: What was it like earning a starting spot on the team after the first tournament?
RN: It felt really good. Actually that was one thing that I really looked at when coming to schools was would I have a starting position, so that's kind of what aided me in deciding to come to Georgetown. Nonetheless it felt really good, I was playing with really quality players that year. Actually a lot of our team is from California so I had played with the girls before or played against them. It was fun to actually be on their side of the court playing with them.
SN: What advice would you give shorter individuals about playing volleyball since some people say that height is the biggest thing.
RN: Oh I would say definitely play. Now that we have the libero position there are so many opportunities for shorter people whether it's setting or playing back row, defense specialist, I've seen short girls with verticals that are amazing and can even play front row and dominate people who are 6'4". I don't think it really matters how tall you are, just athletic ability and a good knowledge for the game.
SN: What do you guys do when you huddle up?
RN: It's to get us pumped up. We huddle and slap hands more than any team I've ever seen and we're very encouraging. We come in, we just get each other excited, get each other energized. That's a major part of our team. When we win we have high energy and when we're excited we play the best so we just get motivated and try to say something to get us motivated.
SN: You guys always play with smiles on your face. Is that because you're having fun, just happy to be out there?
RN: Yeah definitely. It's cool because I think our team is one of the closest I've ever seen. We're all best friends, we all hang out on the weekends even when we don't have to. We're really involved in each other's lives and that's what helps you get up in the morning, and come and smile, and be ready to play.
SN: What's your favorite movie?
RN: My favorite movie I would have to say is American Beauty.
