Indiana University Athletics
10 Questions With Taylor Wittmer
9/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 10, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Freshman Taylor Wittmer was named tournament MVP this weekend as the Hoosiers rolled to a 3-0 record and the Valparaiso University Popcorn Classic title. Wittmer connected on 13 kills in the tournament opener against Marshall. She then totaled 17 kills and a whopping 16 blocks over the next two matches. Wittmer also added four service aces to her impressive weekend.
IUHoosiers.com got a chance to stop by University Gym before practice on Monday to ask Wittmer a few questions:
1. Why did you choose to come to IU?
"I came to IU because of the beautiful campus and the team was very welcoming. I really liked it here."
2. Where is your favorite place to go on the Bloomington campus and why?
"I would have to say the University Gym because I spend most of my time here. We create a lot of good memories in here and a lot of hard work is done right here."
3. You were named the Most Valuable Player this past weekend at the Valparaiso University Popcorn Classic after leading the Hoosiers to a 3-0 record and the tournament crown. How did it feel to receive that honor?
"It was a great honor and a great accomplishment for not just me, but our whole team. Obviously, I could not have been successful without the help of my teammates."
4. IU Volleyball is set to host their first home contests of the season on Friday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 15 with the Indiana University adidas Classic held at Assembly Hall. What are you expectations for the weekend?
"We are definitely looking to go 3-0 and there are a lot of people coming to watch. That will be great to have all the people there, the home support and the great crowd. It should be really helpful having an awesome atmosphere."
5. What is your favorite part about the travel of IU volleyball?
"I hate traveling on buses, so I love that Indiana University their own planes. The planes are smooth, having the pilots load our luggage and not having to worry about checking our bags or anything."
6. What is your proudest volleyball moment?
"I would have to say going to the high school state championships my senior year. It was fun to be in the final game even though we lost. It was a great experience for my high school since it is a very small high school, and it was awesome to be there with my team."
7. Fellow freshman middle blocker, Ashley Benson has also gotten off to a great start to her career this season, what are your thoughts on the opportunity to play along side her in the middle for the next four years?
"It's a great opportunity. Both of us have jumped right into the program. I am excited to play with her because she brings a lot of energy and provides a lot of support to me.
8. What do you like best about playing for Head Coach Sherry Dunbar and the rest of the new coaching staff?
"I like how they are so intense and passionate about the game. Especially Coach Dunbar, she loves every minute of coaching us and gives it her all every day. She tells us that putting on the Indiana uniform is an honor and should give you much pride; and that makes me really happy to play for her.
9. How has the transition from high school/club volleyball to the collegiate level gone so far?
"It's gone pretty well. The main thing is the college game is so much faster. Working every day in practice and playing against people that play at that speed is difficult at times, but it's fine and I am getting better and better each day."
10. Your hometown of Loogootee, Indiana has a population of just under 3,000 people. What's it like growing up in a smaller city?
"It's different because everyone knows everything about you and that can get a little annoying. However, the good thing is that you can walk down the street and know the person that walks by you. It gives you a `home-y,' comfortable feeling."
