PORTLAND, Ore. – The incoming freshman class has been a key part of the 2009 Portland Pilots volleyball preseason. The team looks well positioned to begin a new tradition with this core group and the additions to come in the future. The four true freshmen took some time from their preparation for the upcoming West Coast Conference match-ups to answer a few questions for portlandpilots.com about life as a student-athlete on The Bluff.
Middle blocker Ariel Usher (6-1, Forest Grove, Ore.) has a team-high .199 hitting percentage with 1.41 kills per set. Usher has been strong at the net with 36 blocks total, good enough for the team’s second best. From Glencoe High School, Usher was a first team All-State Selection as a junior and was named the Northwest Oregon Conference (NWOC) Volleyball Player of the Year during both her junior and senior seasons.
Q: When you were looking at college programs, what aspects of the Pilot coaching staff were most important to you?
A: To know that they believe in the same stuff that I do, like philosophy of play.
Q: How would you quickly describe each of the other freshmen?
A: Awesome, were all such good friends.
Q: How would you describe the changes in going to the college game?
A: You have to become a stronger player.
Q: Any favorite memories so far this season?
A: When we went to five with K State, it was the best play we have had all year and it was exciting to see that we can compete with top teams.
Q: What do you like most about campus life so far?
A: How small it is and how everyone is so nice!
A defensive specialist from Southridge High, Jessica Nguyen (5-2, Beaverton, Ore.), was the Metro League Co-Player of the Year as a senior and all-state honorable mention.
Q: Tell us how you became a Pilot, what was the recruiting process like?
A: I attended a volleyball camp at UP during the summer before my senior year. After talking with both the coaches, Mike and Joe, I went back home and did a little research on UP, mainly on academics. I continued to keep in contact with the program, went on my official visit, loved the school and now I’m here!
Q: When you were looking at college programs, what aspects of the Pilot coaching staff were most important to you?
A: What were most important to me were coaching style and philosophy. I really liked the system that they use in coaching technique, defense, offense, etc. I also like their interaction with players. They really try to motivate us and push us to be the best we can be.
Q: What is it like to practice and play in the Chiles Center?
A: Empowering. I remember watching volleyball matches at Chiles, thinking that the girls playing were such amazing volleyball players. It still amazes me every day that I now get to play here and at this level. It feels weird thinking that there are probably a lot of other girls in the crowd that watch us play and probably look at us, thinking the same thing I used to think when watching volleyball here.
Q: How would you describe the changes in going to the college game?
A: The game itself is a lot faster… the girls jump higher, hit harder, move quicker. Because everyone is good, you cannot afford to make unforced, mindless errors.
Q: What do you like most about campus life so far?
A: I love that everything is so close and there is always something to do- movies on Friday and Saturday nights, cafes with free drinks in the evenings, etc.
Outside hitter Kate Bostwick (5-9, Pendleton, Ore.) is already making an impact with 1.09 kills and 1.34 digs per set. Bostwick is second on the team in service aces with 10 so far. Coming to UP from Pendleton High, Bostwick was an Oregon 5A First Team All-State selection as a junior and Intermountain Conference Volleyball Player of the Year her senior year.
Q: When you were looking at college programs, what aspects of the Pilot coaching staff were most important to you?
A: I think that the most important thing that I loved about the coaching staff was that they truly cared about their players and were 100% honest about what to expect. They helped me discover if UP truly was the right fitting school, turns out it is!
Q: How would you quickly describe each of the other freshmen?
A: All of our freshman seem to have a very competitive nature and are trying to bring as much as we can to the program. Each one of us works very hard everyday and we all push each other, which helps to make sure we don't ever slack off! Off the court we are all great friends too and I think that adds to our connection on the court.
Q: What is it like to practice and play in the Chiles Center?
A: It is amazing and I am very thankful to get to use such a great facility everyday. Practicing there is very cold at times…but I wouldn't want to play in any other gym!
Q: Any favorite memories so far this season?
A: My favorite memory so far this year is taking top 25 ranked Kansas State to 5 games on their home court. We played really well as a team that match and I felt all of our improvement this year showed. It was definitely great to see the connection and teamwork in that match, and I hope we can continue to do so in more games this year!
Q: What do you like most about living in Portland so far?
A: I enjoy being able to go shopping alot and being close to so many concerts, games and activities. There is always something to do, and never gets boring!
Rounding out the freshman class is Madison Smith (5-10, Palos Verdes, Calif.), who was unable at time of interview. She has been sharing duty at the setter position and posts a team-second-best 4.60 assists per set. Smith has also sent over eight service aces so far. Smith, from Palos Verdes High School, was co-MVP of the Division IAA Bay League during her senior year.
