Husker Q and A: Rachel Holloway

Rachel Holloway returns after becoming only the second setter in NCAA history to lead a team to a national title as a freshman. A third-team All-American in 2006, Holloway discusses playing in the NU Coliseum, managing school and volleyball and why she became a Husker in this interview conducted over the weekend.

How was playing in the Coliseum for the first time in the 2007 regular season?
It was really exciting.  When we walked in for warm ups we were just like, ?It feels so good to be back in the Coliseum.’ The crowd was all into it and you could tell they were psyched for the season to start. 

How did the large crowd affect your play against Creighton?
It was great to have them back in the Coliseum.  They really thrive off of us and they help us when we’re down. It’s great to have them behind us and it felt really good.

What is your favorite Husker volleyball tradition?
Just playing in the Coliseum with all the great fans and knowing so many great players have played on that court.  Everything really!

What new techniques has Assistant Coach Lizzy Stemke taught you so far this year?
With Lizzy, we’ve been working a lot on footwork and getting off the net.  She also works a lot on tempo with me.

This season you get the opportunity to play in three different venues in Nebraska (NU Coliseum, The Qwest Center and Bob Devaney Sports Center).  Do you have a favorite?
They all have their different strengths. The Qwest Center is amazing because it holds so many people and there’s just something special about it because of how we finished there last year. But there’s nothing like the Coliseum just because of the fans. They’re probably both my favorite.

What teams are you most looking forward to playing this season?
I’m looking forward to Penn State.  It will be a great match. We watched them today (Friday) and they had some great players.  But I am looking forward to playing some teams in the Big 12 and getting that underway and then the tournament starts, so you have to be on your game every match.

Who were your favorite volleyball players growing up?
Probably my sisters. There was also a setter I always looked up to named Ashley Nu’u, who played for Colorado.  She was always in the same club that I was, and she was my role model when I was growing up setting. 

If you could choose one position other than setter, what would it be?
Probably outside hitter.  I like to hit, but I’m not good enough.

Do you have any rituals or superstitions you have to perform before games?
Not really.  I just mix it up.  I make sure I take time to really think about the game while I’m by myself and I usually just listen to music and go out there. 

What is your top personal goal this season?
I just want to win again.  Winning a national championship is just the best feeling.  For playing volleyball, you can’t get much better. 

This weekend you played three matches in four days, so how do you manage your time between school work and volleyball?
I really don’t know.  Well, it’s pretty easy this week because we just started classes, so school isn’t too tough right now. But it is hard this weekend because we’re traveling back and forth from Lincoln to Omaha, so when we have time off we have to work on school work and get on top of things.  Then we have to manage our sleeping time and make sure we are eating well.