University of Minnesota Athletics
Get to Know the Tapps
8/26/2013 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug 26, 2013
Hannah Tapp and Paige Tapp, natives of Stewartville, Minn., are both in their first year with Golden Gopher Volleyball. As freshmen, the twin sisters played for the Stewartville Tigers and the Northern Lights Club Team. Both were named 2012 Ms. Baden Finalists, which recognizes the top Minnesota senior volleyball athlete each season. As the two prepare for their first semester, here's a quick look on how they got to Minnesota, what they've learned on campus and what they're looking forward to in their rookie season.
I came to Minnesota because…
Paige Tapp: It was the only place I pictured myself playing at. It has the best coach staff, the program, the best group of players and I just thought it was a really good fit.
Hannah Tapp: I felt that it had all the necessary tools for me to be the best volleyball player I could be.
The story of how we both came to Minnesota is….
Paige: We went on all of our visits together, but we originally planned on going where each of us really wanted to go. We didn't plan on going to the same college, but we both loved Minnesota. It's just how it ended up.
Hannah: Our plan all along was that we were each going to go to whatever college we wanted to. Whatever was going to happen, let it happen. We both asked ourselves, "What school do we want to go to most?" and Paige said "Minnesota" and I wanted to go to Minnesota too. Now here we are!
So far, I would describe my University of Minnesota experience as…
Paige: Unbelievable. It's been a perfect college experience. I've really loved every second of it.
Hannah: Amazing. It's just a whole different experience. It's so much at one time, but it's been unreal. I love it here.
One of the first things I learned as being a member of the Minnesota volleyball team was..
Paige: Dedication and commitment is huge. I've definitely learned how to commit to something bigger than myself and put everything into it every day.
Hannah: How much it means to be a good teammate. I've also learned how much mental toughness it takes to be successful on the collegiate volleyball court.
My first or favorite volleyball memory was…
Paige: Was playing in the backyard with my mom and peppering with her when I was little.
Hannah: My favorite was winning the 17 Open at the 2012 JO Nationals. My first memory was playing in the backyard with my sister and the neighbor. She was a volleyball player in high school and she taught us how to pass and set.
The thing I'm most looking forward to this year is…
Paige: Competing. Once the games start and we get into the Big Ten games, I'm looking forward to that Sports Pavilion environment. I'm so excited!
Hannah: Just playing some Big Ten competition. Coming from a high school conference where you're playing smaller schools like Hayfield and now we can play teams like Wisconsin, Ohio State, Penn State; that's what I'm looking forward to.
My first semester classes consist of…
Paige: Economics, a management class in Carlson, a first-year experience and a psychology class.
Hannah: Biorenewable resources, microeconomics, psychology and first year experience.
If volleyball wasn't my sport, I'd be playing…
Paige: Basketball. I loved basketball. I played it until I couldn't anymore because of volleyball. It actually used to be my favorite sport until I fell in love with volleyball.
Hannah: Basketball. I played it until junior year when I had to decide if I was going to play club volleyball or basketball and decided to play club volleyball.
My favorite movie is…
Paige: Uptown Girls. It's a chick flick. I don't know why, but I've always loved that movie since I was little. I could probably repeat every word of it.
Hannah: I like all of the Borne movies.
If I could pick a game show or reality show to be on it, would be…
Paige: It would probably be Wheel Of Fortune. I'm pretty good at those and can usually guess them right.
Hannah: Keeping up With the Kardashians since I watch that show a lot. I think it would be fun to hang out with them for a day.
