Indiana University Athletics
10 Questions With Jessica Langert
10/22/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Oct. 22, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Heading into week six of the 10-week Big Ten schedule, having played each team once, the Indiana Hoosiers are tied for fourth place in the conference standings with a 5-5 mark. The second half of the Big Ten season begins this weekend as Indiana welcomes Wisconsin and Illinois to University Gym for a pair of 7 p.m. showdowns on Friday and Saturday night.
Junior Jessica Langert played a big role in the Hoosiers 3-1 win over Purdue last Wednesday night, entering the match and providing several tough serves and some solid defensive help in the backcourt. In the latest edition of "10 Questions With ..." iuhoosiers.com tracked down Langert and picked her brain about the current state of Hoosier Volleyball, the future and why she loves being at IU.
Why did you choose to come to IU?
"I got this feeling when I opened up my car door. I looked around the campus, met the coaches and I knew this is where I had to go. I think this is the best Big Ten school, and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. It's a beautiful campus, wonderful facilities, great academics and now we got a great volleyball team."
Where is your favorite place to go on the Bloomington campus and why?
"I have to say the Union as everyone has said because of the naps, those couches saved my life in the spring."
What's your favorite part about playing for Coach Dunbar and the rest of the Hoosier coaching staff?
"They are incredibly supportive of everybody. They only want to see the best from this team and of each individual, nothing less. They work their hardest to pull everybody's individual talents out of them."
Last Wednesday, your team got the opportunity to play in front of a national audience with the Big Ten Network broadcast. How did it feel to not only play on national television, but to also do so by defeating your in-state rival Purdue Boilermakers?
"It was an amazing experience. Beating Purdue is something I have wanted to do since I committed her at IU. It's a big step forward for this program, and it shows that we have a new powerhouse in the state of Indiana."
Being an Illinois native, what was it like a few weeks ago for you when the Hoosiers traveled to Champaign and outlasted the Fighting Illinois in a five-game victory?
"Illinois is another rivalry for me, being from Illinois. It showed great fight and great character in this team, and I think that we are going to go out there and do it again (on Saturday). We are a team that fights, especially on our home court."
As you alluded to in your previous answer, Indiana will host Illinois on Saturday night, as well as welcoming in Wisconsin on Friday. What are your thoughts on the upcoming weekend?
"I'm really excited about Friday being Dig for the Cure Night because I've had some personal experience with family members and breast cancer. I think it's a very important cause and being a defender I really hope the team pulls together to play great defense so we can raise some money for breast cancer awareness."
What is your favorite part about the travel of IU volleyball?
"I love being able to get away from school, and sit in a hotel knowing that all I have to focus on is getting rest and playing volleyball. It's like a vacation because all you have to worry about is playing volleyball, and that's what I love to do. It's the best of both worlds, I get to travel, eat free food and worry about volleyball."
At the mid-way point of the Big Ten season, Indiana sits at 5-5 and tied for fourth-place in the conference standings. What are your expectations for the remainder of the season?
"We were underestimated coming into the season. It was great for us in the first half of the Big Ten, but no one is going to underestimate us anymore. We are still going to be pushing those teams though, be a really tough team to play. I think, no, I know we are going to make the NCAA Tournament and the second half of the season is going to be better because we are going to come out with more wins than the first half."
As one of two juniors, along with Erica Short, what have you taken from this year's senior class in regards to leadership that you hope to use next year as you are looked upon to lead the Hoosiers?
"First off, Erica and I are lucky to have such great examples in this senior class. They are wonderful leaders, wonderful volleyball players and wonderful people. I hope when Erica and I are seniors that we can do just as good of a job as they have leading the team and representing the university. They are something that I am going to model myself after, and strive to achieve the level of excellence that this senior class has."
It's time for some word association. I am going to say a phrase and you tell me the first thing that comes to your head ... ready?
Indiana University ... "Awesome."
Sherry Dunbar ... "The best."
Volleyball ... "Amazing."
Bloomington ... "Love."
Jessica Langert ... "Feisty."
Purdue ... "Purdue stinks!"
Players Mentioned
