University of Minnesota Athletics
Gopher Spotlight: Alice Zeimann
2/23/2017 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Alice Zeimann (left) hails from Christchurch, New Zealand and joined the Gopher Volleyball program in January. Zeiman comes to Minnesota after playing for Burnside High School and Shirley Volleyball Club. A two-time New Zealand Senior Women's Team member, she was a two-time U17 New Zealand member. Now in her first collegiate semester, Zeimann is adapting to the United States, Minnesota and college life. Check out her first month of campus in this question/answer session.
Gophersports.com: Why did you choose Minnesota?
Alice Zeimann: I chose Minnesota because of the coaching staff and what this team is about. I really loved the culture here and what they represent. It's all about the team and everything you do is for the team. It's also becoming the most efficient player you can be, which is exciting. We use a lot of technology here. It's pretty groundbreaking and a really cool thing to be a part of.
GS: You've been on campus for a month now. How have you been doing both athletically and academically?
AZ: It's been really good. Adjusting was harder than I thought. I had this perception, or an expectation on how it would go, but it's been going good. I really love all the training sessions. Academically, it's everything I could have asked for. The tutoring, lectures, everything has been great.
GS: You came to Minnesota on your visit and are now here in school. What do you think of the area and have you been able to explore at all?
AZ: I haven't been downtown yet, but when I was on my visit, I was able to see the Mall of America. My teammates have been great at showing some cool places to eat and have been just hanging out on campus. Overall, it's been great and positive experience. It's a lot like home. With school and class, I don't have a lot of free time, but I'd like to go downtown a bit. I'm pretty outdoorsy, so when it gets a little warmer out, I'd like to go and explore the lake areas and go hiking.
GS: Do you have a favorite hang out on campus so far?
AZ: My favorite right now is the team room for a couple reasons. One, they have awesome bean bags! I could just fall asleep when I'm on them. It's also just a place where we all hang out and can be a team. It's just really nice to all be together.
GS: What was something you didn't expect, but were surprised at once you got here?
AZ: I knew it would be mentally challenging, but it was my perception of how I would react is different than how I initially reacted. Now that I've had a little experience, I feel more adapted to the competition and mental toughness you have to have on yourself when you're performing. I've had that pressure before, but not in this specific environment. That's probably been my biggest adjustment. I know how the system works now and the coaches have been great getting me through it.
GS: Was it hard to adjust to the team, not knowing a lot of them before you got here?
AZ: It was a really easy transition for me here. I felt comfortable with literally all of them just after a few days. We just spend so much time together. We see each other at some of our worst moments in the gym when you may be having a rough day. When you live with some of them, you just become really good friends. I'm really excited because we continue to get stronger. That's one of the things Hugh (McCutcheon) talks about. We're not a family, because families can be dysfunctional, we're a highly efficient team. We still have those bonds, but it's highly professional. I think it's great to have both.
GS: What's been the best advice you've gotten from other members on the team?
AZ: Every practice, I get great feedback from the coaches, but also the rest of the players. It's good because loads of them have great advice. If I'm having a rough day, a lot of them tell me they know what I'm going through and was in the same situation. They are great at saying "here's what I did, maybe it will work for you." The best advice I've gotten is to not tunnel vision your whole experience. Look at the big picture and not get caught up in the small things. People may have high expectations, it doesn't mean you have to be perfect. Be your best version of yourself and don't compare yourself to other people when you're trying to learn new techniques.
