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The University of Utah Athletics
VB Report: Q&A With Phoebe Grace
8/9/2019 1:28 PM | Volleyball
Volleyball Reported Wednesday and is Training for Their 2019 Season
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah volleyball has returned to campus and have begun their preparations for the 2019 season.
The team reported on Wednesday, August 7 and began practice a day later.
Head coach Beth Launiere is entering her 30th season as the head coach for the Utes and the team has high aspirations with three All-Americans in Dani Drews, Kenzie Koerber and Berkeley Oblad.
The team begins their season hosting three NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago as Saint Mary's, Kentucky and Cal Poly are all coming to Salt Lake as the Utah Volleyball Classic begins on Friday, August 30. Fans are encouraged to join the Block U Club for exclusive access to receive a Block U t-shirt, five general admission tickets to any game, autographed team photo and several other perks to be a volleyball insider for just $75. To join the Block U club, click HERE.
After the first couple of days, UtahUtes.com sat down with middle blocker Phoebe Grace to catch up on how her summer went.
What was your favorite thing you did this summer?
I went to San Francisco with Alexa Van Komen and Kinga Windisch. It was super fun. We went kayaking, jet skiing and hiked Yosemite and then went to San Francisco our last day. It was so much fun.
What is your earliest memory playing volleyball?
In third grade, I had been practicing my underhand serve for a long time and there was one serve I accidentally banged my leg and missed the ball. I didn't care, but my dad got a little mad after we had practiced so much (laughing).
Who is your biggest influence on and off the court?
Off the court, my dad is my biggest influence. He's always been my number one role model because he's the hardest worker I know. He's just the best person I know in everything he does and is my favorite person ever.
On the court, it's Berkeley Oblad. I feel like she is the epitome of hard work. Since I was a freshman, I just feel like she works so hard and been through so many things and is mentally strong. I love her work ethic.
What is the biggest lesson learned from Utah volleyball?
Overcoming obstacles and being resilient. Obviously, things aren't always going to go your way or as you planned, but you're always going to have to work harder. If you think you're working hard, dig deeper and work harder. I think that really helps me have a stronger work ethic with everything.
What is the best part of being back with the team preparing for the upcoming season?
I missed them! I think it's so much fun being back with the team and support staff. Our support staff is so awesome. I spend so much time with Lindsay Adams (athletic trainer) and think she's so funny. I'm really excited for this season. This year I feel much more confident after being here for two years and think we'll do really well this year.
If you could go pro in any other sport, what would it be?
Net ball. It's a sport in New Zealand I play with my cousins because my dad is from there. It's like basketball, but there is no backboard, you can't dribble the ball and you can only move so much on the court. Joe Ingles wife is a professional net ball player.
What is your favorite thing you do outside of volleyball?
Hang out with friends
Describe yourself in three words
Happy, Quirky and go with the flow
What would be your first purchase if you win the lottery?
I would talk with Alexa Van Komen about what investments I should make.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Telepath like Jean Gray in X-Men. She can read minds but also control things.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Hypocrites. When someone says don't do something and turns around and does it.
What fad or trend do you hope comes back?
Heelys! The shoes with wheels on them.
The team reported on Wednesday, August 7 and began practice a day later.
Backpacks and Duffles full of new gear for @UtahVolleyball !! pic.twitter.com/VBbTmFm47m
— Utah Equipment Staff (@UtahOlyEquip) August 7, 2019
Feels good to be back! #utestrong pic.twitter.com/cKyydVQ7cu
— Utah Volleyball (@UtahVolleyball) August 8, 2019
Head coach Beth Launiere is entering her 30th season as the head coach for the Utes and the team has high aspirations with three All-Americans in Dani Drews, Kenzie Koerber and Berkeley Oblad.
The team begins their season hosting three NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago as Saint Mary's, Kentucky and Cal Poly are all coming to Salt Lake as the Utah Volleyball Classic begins on Friday, August 30. Fans are encouraged to join the Block U Club for exclusive access to receive a Block U t-shirt, five general admission tickets to any game, autographed team photo and several other perks to be a volleyball insider for just $75. To join the Block U club, click HERE.
After the first couple of days, UtahUtes.com sat down with middle blocker Phoebe Grace to catch up on how her summer went.
What was your favorite thing you did this summer?
I went to San Francisco with Alexa Van Komen and Kinga Windisch. It was super fun. We went kayaking, jet skiing and hiked Yosemite and then went to San Francisco our last day. It was so much fun.
What is your earliest memory playing volleyball?
In third grade, I had been practicing my underhand serve for a long time and there was one serve I accidentally banged my leg and missed the ball. I didn't care, but my dad got a little mad after we had practiced so much (laughing).
Who is your biggest influence on and off the court?
Off the court, my dad is my biggest influence. He's always been my number one role model because he's the hardest worker I know. He's just the best person I know in everything he does and is my favorite person ever.
On the court, it's Berkeley Oblad. I feel like she is the epitome of hard work. Since I was a freshman, I just feel like she works so hard and been through so many things and is mentally strong. I love her work ethic.
What is the biggest lesson learned from Utah volleyball?
Overcoming obstacles and being resilient. Obviously, things aren't always going to go your way or as you planned, but you're always going to have to work harder. If you think you're working hard, dig deeper and work harder. I think that really helps me have a stronger work ethic with everything.
What is the best part of being back with the team preparing for the upcoming season?
I missed them! I think it's so much fun being back with the team and support staff. Our support staff is so awesome. I spend so much time with Lindsay Adams (athletic trainer) and think she's so funny. I'm really excited for this season. This year I feel much more confident after being here for two years and think we'll do really well this year.
If you could go pro in any other sport, what would it be?
Net ball. It's a sport in New Zealand I play with my cousins because my dad is from there. It's like basketball, but there is no backboard, you can't dribble the ball and you can only move so much on the court. Joe Ingles wife is a professional net ball player.
What is your favorite thing you do outside of volleyball?
Hang out with friends
Describe yourself in three words
Happy, Quirky and go with the flow
What would be your first purchase if you win the lottery?
I would talk with Alexa Van Komen about what investments I should make.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Telepath like Jean Gray in X-Men. She can read minds but also control things.
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Hypocrites. When someone says don't do something and turns around and does it.
What fad or trend do you hope comes back?
Heelys! The shoes with wheels on them.
Players Mentioned
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/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
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L/DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ VolleyballGet to know new Utah Volleyball Head Coach Alyssa D'Errico.
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