Madison Dutra '17
Sophomore Nikki Hess (NH) of the women's volleyball team caught up with Santa Clara Broncos (SCB) about the 2015 sand season as well as what she is most looking forward to this fall.
SCB: Going from indoor volleyball to sand volleyball can be a tough transition. What are some of the challenges and differences with moving onto the sand?
NH: The transition from indoor to sand volleyball brings both physical and mental challenges. Physically, it is a lot harder to move and jump in the sand, which ultimately makes you tire quicker. Also, since there are only two of you, you are guaranteed to touch the ball, which also coincide with the mental challenges. Since you are touching every ball, you need to be focused and dialed in during every play. If you make one error you have to reset and be mentally tough because you want to have a clear mind for the next opportunity to score a point. Though these challenges are mainly brought out in the sand, everything that it teaches us transfers to our indoor game.
SCB: The team recently got back from a big tournament in Hermosa Beach. How did that go for you and your partner, as well as the team as a whole?
NH: Hermosa is always such a fun trip. We definitely did not get the results we wanted but I think it was a great learning experience for all of us. We all got to compete against the top sand teams in the country as well as experience playing on the beach with all of the different elements.
SCB: Do you have a preference of playing indoor or on the sand?
NH: I have been asked this question a lot and I always joke and say that it depends on the day. It is such a great sport that I am so grateful I am able to play both. I love to compete and nothing else beats the feeling of seeing your hard work pay off, or even allowing it to let you learn. At the end of the day they are both volleyball and I would have to say I like sand and indoor equally.
SCB: What are some of your team and individual goals for this upcoming fall season?
NH: A team goal we have set is to win the WCC. I strongly believe this goal is attainable, and that we will achieve it, but it will not come easy. We will have to continue to work hard in the gym and in the weight room. Another goal is to not only make it to the tournament but to make it to the round of 16. I also believe this to be attainable but it will require a lot of hard work physically and mentally. When put in situations such as playing in the tournament, it is normal to get a lot of nerves, but being able to play through that and get past them is going to be necessary in order for us to achieve these goals. I think playing BYU at BYU is always a good experience and will help with that, hopefully with a favorable outcome this year. As for my personal goals, since I started playing volleyball I have always dreamt of being an All-American. For me, I think keeping this goal in mind will help me do my best in everything we do. Whether it be training or in a game, I will be able to help the team and do my job for them, and hopefully inspire them to do the same.
SCB: Do you have any plans for training or working this summer?
NH: This summer I plan on going home and I will be practicing with one of my old coaches. I believe that she is the coach that helped me develop every aspect of the game and realize what a hardworking athlete looks like. I will be coming back to campus during the summer a little earlier to coach camps so I will be working out and doing Sparta workouts here and I am hoping that I will get the chance to go to Sparta and have a few training sessions there as well.
