University of Minnesota Athletics
Senior Basketball Player Kelly Roysland
4/24/2007 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
Kelly Roysland celebrated the conclusion of a successful basketball career with the Golden Gophers, took two weeks off, then jumped into an opportunity she just couldn’t refuse the chance to play for Minnesota’s nationally renown volleyball program.
The Fosston, Minn., was a three-time all-state and five-time all-conference pick in volleyball during high school. Roysland recorded 2,079 career kills and earned six varsity letters capping off her high school volleyball career being named Minnesota Ms. Volleyball in 2002.
Kelly took a few minutes to answer a few questions for gophersports.com.
Why did you choose to play volleyball for the Gophers?
Playing volleyball has been something that I have loved to do every since I was very young. The opportunity to cap off my career at Minnesota playing another sport that I love was just too great to pass up. Also, it gives me the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of Division I volleyball and stay a part of a team for one more year.
Did you miss volleyball while you were busy playing basketball for four years?
I have missed playing volleyball since the day that I played my last high school game. It has always been a passion of mine and not playing volleyball for four years was hard. The opportunity to play competitively for one year will be great.
What volleyball skill came back the easiest?
I feel like my passing skills have come back easier that I originally thought they might. Passing is one of the hardest parts of the game and I am happy, but not content with where I am at right now.
What has been the hardest part of our comeback to volleyball?
I think the hardest part about returning to volleyball has been learning to understand the team’s volleyball lingo, their defensive philosophies and their way of communicating. Another challenge was learning the many different strategies that go along with playing volleyball at the Division I level.
You wear the number 9 uniform now, why not number 3?
Well, number 3 was already taken and Coach Hebert said to me, “How about number 9; it’s three squared right? Needless to say, I wasn’t too picky about what number I was going to be wearing. I was just excited he was even offering me a number.
Is your shoulder injury from basketball healed?
The collarbone is doing great. I am fully healed and no longer in any pain. However, I am quite sore from just starting to use many muscles that I didn’t use while playing basketball.
How is your relationship with your new teammates?
The transition to the volleyball team has been great. From day one, everyone has been so welcoming and very helpful. It exciting to know that I will be going from one great team to another.
Since you’ll soon be graduating, what are your plans academically for next year?
Next fall, I will start graduate school. The graduate program that I will be enrolled in is the M.Ed /professional studies in Applied Kinesiology.
The Fosston, Minn., was a three-time all-state and five-time all-conference pick in volleyball during high school. Roysland recorded 2,079 career kills and earned six varsity letters capping off her high school volleyball career being named Minnesota Ms. Volleyball in 2002.
Kelly took a few minutes to answer a few questions for gophersports.com.
Why did you choose to play volleyball for the Gophers?
Playing volleyball has been something that I have loved to do every since I was very young. The opportunity to cap off my career at Minnesota playing another sport that I love was just too great to pass up. Also, it gives me the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of Division I volleyball and stay a part of a team for one more year.
Did you miss volleyball while you were busy playing basketball for four years?
I have missed playing volleyball since the day that I played my last high school game. It has always been a passion of mine and not playing volleyball for four years was hard. The opportunity to play competitively for one year will be great.
What volleyball skill came back the easiest?
I feel like my passing skills have come back easier that I originally thought they might. Passing is one of the hardest parts of the game and I am happy, but not content with where I am at right now.
What has been the hardest part of our comeback to volleyball?
I think the hardest part about returning to volleyball has been learning to understand the team’s volleyball lingo, their defensive philosophies and their way of communicating. Another challenge was learning the many different strategies that go along with playing volleyball at the Division I level.
You wear the number 9 uniform now, why not number 3?
Well, number 3 was already taken and Coach Hebert said to me, “How about number 9; it’s three squared right? Needless to say, I wasn’t too picky about what number I was going to be wearing. I was just excited he was even offering me a number.
Is your shoulder injury from basketball healed?
The collarbone is doing great. I am fully healed and no longer in any pain. However, I am quite sore from just starting to use many muscles that I didn’t use while playing basketball.
How is your relationship with your new teammates?
The transition to the volleyball team has been great. From day one, everyone has been so welcoming and very helpful. It exciting to know that I will be going from one great team to another.
Since you’ll soon be graduating, what are your plans academically for next year?
Next fall, I will start graduate school. The graduate program that I will be enrolled in is the M.Ed /professional studies in Applied Kinesiology.
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