Oct. 15, 2007
Washington, D.C. - Sophomore Jessica Hardy (Manhattan Beach, Calif./Mira Costa) is currently second on the Georgetown volleyball team in kills with 174. She is part of the sophomore contingent that accounts for 74.0 percent of the team's total kills and has recorded four double-doubles this season and tallied 21 kills to lead the team in a 3-2, come-from-behind victory over Pittsburgh last Friday in McDonough Arena. The Hoyas continue their four-match homestand tomorrow, October 16 when they host non-league opponent Virginia Commonwealth at 8 p.m. For those fans who cannot attend the game, HoyaVision, a live video stream of the game, will be available through the Georgetown web site, www.guhoyas.com. Hardy took a few minutes out of her busy schedule to sit down with the Hoya Headliner...
HH: How did you spend your summer?
JH: I went to Canada so I could rediscover my roots and visit family.
HH: What do your parents think of their daughter going on to play collegiate volleyball?
JH: Neither of my parents have ever played a collegiate sport, but my dad has had a lot of experience with professional athletics so he understood how challenging it would be to compete at such a high level. They have always supported me with my sport and they know that playing at Georgetown is a valuable experience that will help me in my athletic and professional future.
HH: Who do you look to for advice when you need it?
JH: My mom. Sometimes I hate hearing it, but I usually end up admitting that she's right.
HH: Do you have any superstitions before games?
JH: I take a deep breath and tell myself I'm a star.
HH: What song gets you pumped up before games?
JH: "Free Bird" by Lynyrd Skynyrd. It gives me a feeling of freedom and independence so I have no restrictions when I get on the court. No one else likes it though so I usually just end up singing it to myself.
HH: If you could be on any reality show, which one would you choose? Why?
JH: Extreme makeover Home Edition. My place in Henle needs a little help.
HH: What would you do if you won a million dollars?
JH: I would buy a speed boat. I don't live near water and I don't have a license, but it would be fun to have. I would also get the team some more socks.
HH: What is the best/worst thing about living in D.C.?
JH: I trip all over the cobble stones and I am not a big fan of collared shirts so i guess those are the worst things. The diverse culture is the best.
HH: When did you first start playing volleyball?
JH: When I was in sixth grade I had a seven-inch growth spurt and I was really awkward so my parents thought volleyball would be a good idea.
HH: When did you know that you wanted to play volleyball competitively in college?
JH: I always knew I wanted to play in college because I wasn't going through seven years of training to just stop after high school. And I'm a competitive person so that was a given.
HH: What was the best moment in your career so far?
JH: I was voted MVP of my freshman team by my teammates in high school. It was nice to be appreciated by my peers.
HH: What is a typical practice like?
JH: Early
HH: Who on the team do you rely on the most?
JH: CC (Courtney Cohen). She's my roommate and she helps me to wake up in the morning so i am not late for practice and i am grateful for that.
HH: If you could be great at any other sport or event besides volleyball, what would it be?
JH: Rugby would definitely be my passion if I wasn't playing volleyball. I always think that the one thing volleyball is missing is the contact aspect. The only thing in volleyball that you can hit is either the ball or the floor so being able to tackle other people and let out that aggression would be a nice change.
HH: Anything you want to do before you graduate?
JH: Pass all my classes
HH: What one word people use to describe you?
JH: Complex
HH: Favorite Georgetown restaurant?
JH: Restaurante Piccolo
HH: What is your dream job?
JH: Inventor
HH: Favorite TV show?
JH: Sarah Silverman Program
HH: Favorite movie?
JH: Gladiator
