University of Minnesota Athletics
Cassie Busse Q&A with Gophersports.com
8/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Former Golden Gopher Cassie Busse has started 11 of the 12 matches this summer for the U.S. National Team at opposite hitter. This summer, the U.S. National Team has gone 8-4. Overall, the team has finished fourth in the Pan American Cup and captured the Bronze Medal at the Pan American Games. Gophersports.com caught up with Cassie in between international competitions to ask some questions about her experiences with the U.S. National program, which she has now been a part of since 2005:
Gophersports.com: Talk about the experience of playing with the U.S. National program, the adjustments you have had to make and your continued improvement as you have gained experience at this level?
Cassie Busse: “Playing with the USA National Team has been an amazing experience. In a lot of ways, it's like making the transition from high school to college. The girls are taller and quicker and the game is so much faster. It's a big step up. It requires a lot of patience in the sense that everything is not going to come at once, no matter how much I want it to. I feel like I have improved as a player, both technically, physically, and mentally each year that I have been training at the OTC. Playing against teams like
GS: How exciting is it to have gained the necessary experience at this level to be playing in crucial moments for the U.S. National program this summer?
CB: “It is an incredible honor to wear a jersey with
GS: Building on that, what were the feelings like to be a big part of a five-game victory like the one your team had over the
CB: “The win over
GS: What are your thoughts on possible aspirations to be part of the 2008 Olympic Squad? Do you ever think ahead to that point or do you just take it one day at a time?
CB: “The Olympics are always in the back of my mind. Obviously it would be such an honor. However, I try to focus each day at a time. Too many things can happen in the future to put my center of attention that far away. Having had four surgeries on the same knee, I know how easy it can be to be at the top of your game, and suddenly be out for five months. As long as I am doing my best each day, each point, each tournament, that is all I can ask of myself right now.'
GS: Talk about the experience of having other Minnesota players such as Lindsey Berg, Kelly Bowman and Charnette Fair training with you at various times in the U.S. National program.
CB: “When I came back this spring and found out Kelly (Bowman) was going to be on the team, I couldn't have been more excited. We had a great time both on and off the court, and it felt like college all over again. I am really excited about Lindsey (Berg) coming back. She's such an incredible player that it naturally pushes me to work harder. I've been blessed with wonderful setters my entire career, and Lindsey is definitely one of the best in the world. Having all of these players coming to train at the OTC is really a credit to the
GS: Who are some players who you did not know before you played in the U.S. National program who have become great friends during your time there?
CB: “I have become good friends with every one of these girls here. Although there are always girls coming and going, we all get along really well. Sarah Drury, my roommate, has not only become a great friend, but she is also my role model, confidant, and a shoulder to cry on. I don't know what I would do without her. Also, the girls in "my class" have really bonded together. Being the younger group, we have a natural tendency to hang out with each other and depend on each other in many ways.'
GS: Off the topic of the
CB: “The
GS: What does the schedule for the rest of your year look like in terms of pro league and international play?
CB: “Some of the girls on the team, including me, are not going to go overseas if we do not qualify for the Olympics in November. Most of the players are signing contracts right now for their teams overseas. Since I cannot guarantee the team that I will be able to come, it will be hard for me to get a contract so late in the season. So right now, it looks like I will be training in
GS: It seems as if there is a good mix of young talent and veterans in the national program right now. Talk about having the experience to play behind a lot of the talent from the 2004 Olympic squad when you first got in the
CB: “There are so many talented and gifted women on this team. I feel like I learn something from them each and every day. Many of the older girls have developed an instinct in the game that comes from many games of experience. Playing against (in practices) and with them each day makes me a better player since I am more of a visual learner when it comes to volleyball. Playing WITH instead of AGAINST some of the younger girls has been really fun for all of us. At one point at the Pan American Cup, Courtney Thompson (
GS: Who are some of the players you tried to watch and learn from when you first got to the U.S. National program?
CB: “I don't think there is one person on the team that I haven't learned something from. Even if they were not in my position, everyone on the team is so talented, I feel like I really learn a lot just by watching them play.'
GS: What have been some of your favorite places you have traveled to as part of the U.S. National team?
CB: “Being able to travel the world is something I would never have been able to do had I not been a part of the USA Team. Some of my favorite places were probably
GS: What are the biggest differences between international volleyball, pro-league volleyball and collegiate volleyball?
CB: Everything in the international level is so much faster and quicker than college. Also, the girls are taller, more experienced, and more talented. In the pro-league, the game varies depending on where you are playing. Some leagues are very good and extremely professional. However, there are some leagues that are more for fun than the actual professional experience of it.'
