Indiana University Athletics
10 Questions With Annie Moddrell
9/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 24, 2007
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Senior Annie Moddrell provided a much-needed spark to the Hoosiers Friday night as Indiana climbed back from an early 0-2 deficit at Iowa to earn a 3-2 victory in the Big Ten opener. Moddrell hammered home 10 kills with just two errors on 17 swings (.471) while also posting five blocks (one solo) in the match.
Those five blocks increased her career total block amount to 278, cracking the all-time top ten in school history. The Freeburg, Illinois native also ranks in the top ten for block assists (9th) and career hitting efficiency (4th).
IUHoosiers.com caught up with Moddrell after Monday's practice and asked the senior a few questions ...
1. What were your first thoughts when you found out about cracking the all-time top ten in total blocks?
"At first I couldn't believe it. I knew I was close, but I didn't know I was that close. I was pretty ecstatic when Lindsay (Coston, team manager) gave me the good news, I just couldn't stop smiling."
2. What was it like to come back from two games down to beat Iowa in the Big Ten opener?
"It was a great feeling, it was the first time in my career at Indiana that we took a game from them up at their gym. Coming out of the locker room after game two we had a different feeling, a different chemistry that was going on. Everybody came together and played really well as a team and that showed in the comeback win."
3. A pair of nationally-ranked opponents in Penn State and Ohio State come to Bloomington this upcoming weekend. What are your expectations for those matches and your first weekend in University Gym this season?
"This is like our home opener after playing our first tournament at Assembly Hall. I am excited to get back in our gym where we are used to practicing and filling up our stands. We've been busy recruiting our fellow student-athletes to come support us. It's always great to have this level of competition coming in, both are nationally-ranked. I can't wait to go out there and play 110% and give everything we have."
4. Why did you choose to come to IU?
"It's such a cheesy answer, but after taking numerous college visits I came here and it just felt right. The team was a huge, huge part of it. The chemistry they had and they way I fit in right away was nice, and the campus itself is gorgeous. I also like the focus they have on athletics here, it's like a family."
5. Where is your favorite place to go on the Bloomington campus and why?
"I always go eat lunch at the union and there are always people to see and different people to meet. It past years I also liked to take naps there, but I am way too busy for that this year."
6. Academics are obviously very important to you, evidenced by your Academic All-Big Ten honor in 2006. What are you plans after school with your degree in health education?
"I will be taking a test to become a certified professional trainer, and I want to get a coaching endorsement as well. My plans are to coach and teach at a high school or middle school."
7. What is your favorite part about the travel of IU volleyball?
"The plane, of course. I love getting there and back quickly, it's so much nicer than taking a bus."
8. What do you like most about playing for Coach Dunbar and the rest of the Hoosier coaching staff?
"I love their intensity, I love their fight. They are very determined, very intense. They have confidence in us, they believe in us and give us confidence every day in practice. They continue to push us every day to make us better."
9. What's it like growing up with your three brothers, Adam, Alex and Andrew? Also, is there a story behind all the children's names beginning with the letter `A'?
"Some parts of the childhood were pretty rough when they would gang up on me." (laughter) "But dad was always there to protect me because I am a `daddy's girl's of course. Now that me and my brothers have grown up and become more mature, I really appreciate my relationship with them. About the A's, to make a long story short, it started out as unintentional, but by the end they made it intentional."
10. What are you going to miss most about your time as a Hoosier volleyball player after your senior season comes to a conclusion?
"I would have to say my teammates, especially `the trifecta.' It's going to be weird going from seeing these girls every day to moving on and starting the next chapter of my life."
Players Mentioned
