Indiana University Athletics
Wessel Expects Big Things in 2021
7/10/2020 4:44:00 PM | Women's Water Polo
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.—After a freshman season in which Taylor Wessel recorded four goals, six assists and seven steals for Indiana Water Polo, the returner expects to have an even better sophomore campaign. Both individually and as a team. In an interview with IUHoosiers.com it was evident that being the best person she can in and out of the pool will be key to this success.
Like everyone else felt that was involved with IU Water Polo, Wessel noted how disappointing it was for their season to end so suddenly, especially right before MPSF play was set to begin. Wessel felt this was the year that other teams in the conference were going to have to take them seriously and she looked forward to bringing that pressure; the Hoosiers were going to bring a fight each and every game.
Despite IU not getting their chance, Wessel believes their goals of beating Michigan, winning at least one MPSF game and one MPSF Tournament game will still be overarching goals for 2021. With the team having much success at the end of 2020, Wessel believes the team will continue to improve and have an even better chance at completing these goals in 2021.
Even though the team is away from each other, Wessel is still able to chat with them on a daily basis, including the other freshmen, which has their own individual group chat. This helps Wessel check in on her teammates and also gives her the motivation to be better herself.
When it comes to motivation, Wessel wants to make the most of her time in the pool, classroom and with her teammates this upcoming season and when the Hoosiers return to Bloomington this fall. By giving all her effort to these things, Wessel believes that the she will obtain the best results both in and out of the pool.
The full transcription from the interview with Wessel can be seen immediately below.
Q: On how you are doing during this time and about having your season end so abruptly…
WESSEL: I'm doing pretty well right now. Just trying to keep busy and stuff but when we found out that NCAA canceled all spring sports for the rest of the season, it was definitely sad and upsetting. It was my freshman season apart of this team and I feel like freshman season sets the tone for the next three. So when it got canceled and ended so abruptly, you knew you couldn't do anything about it, which sucked not only for other freshman but it impacted our whole team because we worked so hard and put so many hours into it. It's kind of disappointing.
Q: On what you are doing to help expand your role and improve your game for year two…
WESSEL: What I'm doing to expand my role right now is put in work not only in practice and training but also in relationships with my teammates and my coaches and trainers and all the other resources that we have at IU. Also just working on myself. I feel like our team is very big on improving our culture and focusing on values so if I can feel like I can improve myself not only in the pool but also outside of it, then it can positively affect my playing time and practice time during water polo.
Q: On who you are reaching out to for help and advice…
WESSEL: We have so many resources at Indiana but one that I've definitely been utilizing the most is my team. I feel like we're one big family and even though we may be far apart from each other and on opposite ends of the country right now or even across countries, it hasn't stopped us from talking every single day. I talk to my freshman squad every single day. We have a group chat up. I feel like if I have any problems or advice or need someone to talk to, I can reach out to any of my teammates and they would be there to help out.
Q: On your personal and team goals for 2021…
WESSEL: For the '21 season, I feel like our goals will remain the same as our 2020 season because it got cut short but we'll be hungrier for them and want to strive for them more as a team. We came up with three goals for this past season and they were to beat Michigan, which is one of our biggest rivals; win at least one regular MPSF game and win at least one MPSF Tournament game. Because we weren't able to try and achieve those goals this season, I feel like going into the 2021 season those goals are still very tangible and achievable if we put forth the effort like we did. Beside from those specific goals, I feel like our goal is for us to be a team that comes off as a threat. Coming into the 2020 season we were kind of viewed as the underdogs and teams didn't always take us very seriously. We kind of proved ourselves as a team and when we started succeeding very well, other teams started to notice us. I feel like we want that continued through the 2021 season and for teams to take us seriously and know that we are a threat to them and a challenge.
Q: On what we should expect from you in 2021…
WESSEL: For the 2021 season you can expect me to work hard and be the best teammate, student and friend that I can be. I feel like if I fulfill my roles specifically given to me, it will not only help the team accomplish goals but also help me in the future in and out of the pool.
Like everyone else felt that was involved with IU Water Polo, Wessel noted how disappointing it was for their season to end so suddenly, especially right before MPSF play was set to begin. Wessel felt this was the year that other teams in the conference were going to have to take them seriously and she looked forward to bringing that pressure; the Hoosiers were going to bring a fight each and every game.
Despite IU not getting their chance, Wessel believes their goals of beating Michigan, winning at least one MPSF game and one MPSF Tournament game will still be overarching goals for 2021. With the team having much success at the end of 2020, Wessel believes the team will continue to improve and have an even better chance at completing these goals in 2021.
Even though the team is away from each other, Wessel is still able to chat with them on a daily basis, including the other freshmen, which has their own individual group chat. This helps Wessel check in on her teammates and also gives her the motivation to be better herself.
When it comes to motivation, Wessel wants to make the most of her time in the pool, classroom and with her teammates this upcoming season and when the Hoosiers return to Bloomington this fall. By giving all her effort to these things, Wessel believes that the she will obtain the best results both in and out of the pool.
The full transcription from the interview with Wessel can be seen immediately below.
Q: On how you are doing during this time and about having your season end so abruptly…
WESSEL: I'm doing pretty well right now. Just trying to keep busy and stuff but when we found out that NCAA canceled all spring sports for the rest of the season, it was definitely sad and upsetting. It was my freshman season apart of this team and I feel like freshman season sets the tone for the next three. So when it got canceled and ended so abruptly, you knew you couldn't do anything about it, which sucked not only for other freshman but it impacted our whole team because we worked so hard and put so many hours into it. It's kind of disappointing.
Q: On what you are doing to help expand your role and improve your game for year two…
WESSEL: What I'm doing to expand my role right now is put in work not only in practice and training but also in relationships with my teammates and my coaches and trainers and all the other resources that we have at IU. Also just working on myself. I feel like our team is very big on improving our culture and focusing on values so if I can feel like I can improve myself not only in the pool but also outside of it, then it can positively affect my playing time and practice time during water polo.
Q: On who you are reaching out to for help and advice…
WESSEL: We have so many resources at Indiana but one that I've definitely been utilizing the most is my team. I feel like we're one big family and even though we may be far apart from each other and on opposite ends of the country right now or even across countries, it hasn't stopped us from talking every single day. I talk to my freshman squad every single day. We have a group chat up. I feel like if I have any problems or advice or need someone to talk to, I can reach out to any of my teammates and they would be there to help out.
Q: On your personal and team goals for 2021…
WESSEL: For the '21 season, I feel like our goals will remain the same as our 2020 season because it got cut short but we'll be hungrier for them and want to strive for them more as a team. We came up with three goals for this past season and they were to beat Michigan, which is one of our biggest rivals; win at least one regular MPSF game and win at least one MPSF Tournament game. Because we weren't able to try and achieve those goals this season, I feel like going into the 2021 season those goals are still very tangible and achievable if we put forth the effort like we did. Beside from those specific goals, I feel like our goal is for us to be a team that comes off as a threat. Coming into the 2020 season we were kind of viewed as the underdogs and teams didn't always take us very seriously. We kind of proved ourselves as a team and when we started succeeding very well, other teams started to notice us. I feel like we want that continued through the 2021 season and for teams to take us seriously and know that we are a threat to them and a challenge.
Q: On what we should expect from you in 2021…
WESSEL: For the 2021 season you can expect me to work hard and be the best teammate, student and friend that I can be. I feel like if I fulfill my roles specifically given to me, it will not only help the team accomplish goals but also help me in the future in and out of the pool.
Players Mentioned
Utility
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