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by Jessica Schwager
Senior Maggie Griffin has been a winner wherever she has gone in her volleyball career. From leading Sports Performance to a pair of club national titles to being a part of two NCAA finals teams since arriving at Nebraska in 2006, Griffin has enjoyed a run of success that few others have enjoyed in volleyball. The senior setter talks about her influences, her choice of number and her extensive shoe collection in today’s interview.
What is your favorite Husker volleyball tradition?
“I love how for every game and for every road trip we always sit in the same spots and always do the same dances before each game. We’re really specific and have to do the same thing before each game or else we kind of all freak out about it. We sit on the same bus seats, we sit on the same plane seats and we have to do the same thing before every game.”
Who influenced your volleyball career the most?
“I would say my parents. They were the ones to get me started into it when I was younger in fourth grade. They’ve helped me do what I’ve wanted to do and they come to a lot of matches.”
Who was your favorite volleyball player to watch when you were growing up?
“I really didn’t watch volleyball when I was growing up, I watched basketball. We went to a lot of Bulls games, so I was more of a basketball watcher than volleyball.”
Who was your favorite Chicago Bulls player?
“Michael Jordan. We used to go to all of the Bulls games when I was younger and we went to all of the play off games and the championship games, so I was a huge Michael Jordan fan.”
If you could choose any position to play other than setter, what would it be?
“I would definitely be an outside hitter. They are so lucky that they get the adrenaline rush of just hitting the ball?I would love to do that. Any chance I get to hit the ball I just get so excited.”
Do you have a favorite pre-game meal?
“I love Boston Market. They have the best chicken, turkey and macaroni and cheese.”
Take fans through your normal pre-game rituals.
“After we eat I go downstairs and we usually goof around in the ready room. Today a bunch of us got on a computer and went to You Tube and learned a dance to some new song. So we’ll usually do that for a while. I’ll go shower and get ready and do the hair and make up and all of that stuff. Then I’ll go in the training room and do some treatment and head out to the court and do some sets. Before the game we do stuff before we run out, like down in the locker room we do secret handshakes with all of our teammates.”
Why did you choose to come to Nebraska?
“I just loved the tradition that was here and I loved the girls when I came and visited. I really liked the coaching staff and it was just a nice environment. I love the state of Nebraska and the people of Nebraska. It was just a good fit all around and I wanted to play at a really competitive school, so I think this was the best fit for me.”
What is one word to describe Coach Cook?
“I would say goofy is the biggest one. He is really serious, but when he comes to practice he always does weird things or makes weird comments. I would say goofy. Most people don’t really know that.”
Why did you choose the number 1?
“When I was in high school, for my club team, I was always number 1. We won my junior and senior year when I had that number, so it’s just like a superstitious thing. I had to take number 9 at Michigan State because someone already had 1. But then when I decided to come here, I was so excited because 1 was open. It’s a simple number and I’ve always liked it.”
It is known to your fellow Husker volleyball players that you have an extensive shoe collection. How many pairs of shoes do you think you own?
“Oh my gosh, some of them are in my closet here at Nebraska and some are at home, but I would say I probably own close to 50 pairs of shoes.”
Do you have a favorite pair?
“I just bought a really cute pair of red high heels that I really like. So those are my new favorite for now, but if I go shopping tomorrow we’ll see.”
Where is your favorite place to shop?
“DSW is my favorite shoe store. My mom and I go there and it’s just so nice because you can sit there and try on every pair of shoes that you want because you don’t have to ask anyone to help you. My mom, my sister and I usually take trips to DSW.”