Aug. 14, 2007
Washington, D.C. - Junior Caitlin Boland (Naperville, Ill./Benet Academy) is starting her third season with the Georgetown volleyball program and was named the captain for the 2007 season. Preseason has already started for the Hoyas and they are gearing up for their first match of the year when they play American in the D.C. Challenge. The match will take place on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. on August 24 at 5 p.m. She took some time out of her schedule to catch up with the Hoya Headliner...
HH: Since the season is nearly upon you, do you have any superstitions before games?
CB: Before every game, we as a team sing in the locker room. That's one of the things that we do before every game that would feel wrong if we didn't do before each game.
HH: What song gets you pumped up before a game?
CB: Last season we would always sing Mariah Carey, "Always Be My Baby" and we would always get really into it. Also, we would always sing the school fight song at a really upbeat tempo right before we played.
HH: What has been the most satisfying moment of your Georgetown career thus far?
CB: We had a win against Marquette my freshman year when we were down two games to zero. I want to say that everyone got on the court in that match. It was one of those matches that we could have let it go or come back and we ended up pulling it out in five games. It was a match we weren't supposed to get since they were higher-ranked and a very talented team. We came out with a big win and it was very exciting.
HH: Is there anything that Coach Hagan Williams has said that has really resonated with you?
CB: "SHPIRTE" - It means heart in a different language. She said it in one of our first meetings and it stuck as a sort of mantra to keep the team going.
HH: What do you consider your "breakfast of champions?"
CB: Before practices, it's usually some type of breakfast bar or something quick. But, before games, I typically have eggs and toast.
HH: Which opponents get you really fired up when you play against them?
CB: One of the biggest teams we play against would be either Notre Dame or St. John's. They are both very talented programs and tend to bring a lot of fans with them. So, it's always fun to play against them.
HH: When did you know that you wanted to play volleyball competitively in college?
CB: I played a lot of volleyball in high school and I knew I wasn't ready to give it up. I definitely was very strong on the idea that I would continue playing in college since I wasn't quite ready to be done with it.
HH: What do you currently have in your equipment bag?
CB: We tend to live out of our lockers. In my locker, I have all of my gear, a ton of toiletries since we go straight from practice to class and to different activities. I basically have anything I would need to take a shower and run to class.
HH: What do you like to do in the offseason?
CB: In the offseason, it's nice to be a more of a student and take advantage of seeing a little more of Washington, D.C. and the sites. I like to try to get out and do things that I know I won't have time to do during the season.
HH: Is there anything in particular you would like to do before you graduate?
CB: I would want to do an internship in D.C. either in the offseason or during the summer. I think it would be really interesting and it would be another opportunity to explore the city we live in.
HH: Ideally, what will you be doing after you graduate?
CB: My dream job would be a job in Chicago - I'm from Illinois. My major is accounting, so most likely in that field, I'd really like to close to home.
HH: Do you have a favorite TV show?
CB: Wheel of Fortune. I've been watching it since I was a kid and I have a lot of fun with it. A girl who was on the team two years ago and I would watch it together and we would have competitions to see who was better.
HH: Do you have any advice for anyone who wants to be a part of the volleyball team?
CB: Keep working hard. Definitely show your interest. I think it's a great program to work with. Be active in your search.
