Jess Yanz Q and A

Junior setter Jessica Yanz has been a valued member of the Husker volleyball program the last two seasons. Yanz backs up All-American Sydney Anderson this year and averaging 1.47 assists and 0.87 digs, typically seeing her playing time when the Huskers shift to a 6-2 offensive set. She has appeared in nine matches and got her most extensive time at NU against UL-Lafayette on Sept. 4 when she set season highs in assists (17), digs (seven) and blocks (two).

Prior to joining the Husker program, Yanz spent two seasons at Penn State. In 2007, she played in 18 matches and averaged 6.33 assists per set to help Penn State to a national title. She was a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection at Naperville Central (Ill.) High School, earning Gatorade Illinois State Player of the Year honors.  We caught up with Yanz earlier this week to get her thoughts on a number of topics.

 Since Halloween was last weekend, what was your favorite Halloween costume growing up?
“When I was three or four, I was a tiger and in all of the pictures, I am roaring.”

What is the best piece of volleyball or sports-related advice you have received?
“Don’t ever let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. It was one of those things I picked up along the way and reminds me to not let fear get in the way of achieving your goals.”

Who has been your biggest volleyball influence?
“My parents because they pushed me to continue with volleyball and were so supportive of everything I did. They always drove me places and were always there for me.”

What got you involved in the sport of volleyball?
“I played softball from the time I was 4-years old playing tee ball and eventually softball. My uncle Angelo Iasillo, who is involved in volleyball in the Great Lakes Region, always told me that I was going to play volleyball because I have such big hands and are so tall at the time. Eventually, I started doing volleyball camps in sixth grade and played on my middle school volleyball team in seventh grade. ”

What do you enjoy most about being a setter?
“Tricking the blockers on the other side of the net. It is a pat on the back  for a setter when you can trick the other blockers and get a 1-on-1 match up for a hitter.”

When watching teams play, what do you look for in a setter?
“I look to see how they run their offense and see how fast their sets are. I also try to watch their hands and look to see if they are a scheming offense or a more predictable one.”

What advice would you give someone starting to play volleyball?
“Don’t get frustrated when you make a mistake because volleyball is such a hard sport to be good at. ”

If you could play another sport at Nebraska, what would it be?
“I would say basketball because that would be cool to be good at that. I was never good at basketball growing up and it is a lot easier to get a pick-up basketball game going than in volleyball.”

What is it like to play against Nebraska, as you played the Huskers in 2007?
“It was very intimidating. I remember standing on the end line during lineups and being overwhelmed by the crowd and the support that the Nebraska program had. I had never seen anything like it.”

What is your favorite thing about being a Husker?
“I would say its gameday being in the Coliseum. The energy and the overall excitement and buzz in the Coliseum.  The whole experience is incredible.”

What is your favorite pre-match meal?
Noodles and Company.

If you were bringing your teammates back to your hometown, where is the first place you take them?
“Cookie Dough Creations. Its like an ice cream place where they also use cookie dough. I think Kayla can attest to that when she went there.”