University of Minnesota Athletics
Freshman Feature: Sara Nielsen
8/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sara Nielsen joined the Gopher Volleyball program this summer after she played for Benet Academy and Mizuno Sports Performance Volleyball. Nielsen was named a 2016 Under Armour All-America honorable mention and ranked 69th in Prepvolleyball.com's Senior Aces. A first-team all-state selection, Nielsen helped Benet to sectional and conference championships in 2015 and a regional championship in 2016. She played five years at Sports Performance and won the 18-Open national championship, a world championship and was a 2015 AAU All-American. Nielsen is the third person in her family to play volleyball in the Big Ten, as her mom and aunt played at Northwestern and Purdue. Read up on Nielsen as she prepares for her first season with the Gophers.
Gophersports.com: When did you first start playing volleyball and how did you get involved with the sport?
Sara Nielsen: I was in third grade when I started playing. My mom introduced me to it, she used to play. She found a league and asked me if I wanted to play, and I have been playing ever since.
GS: Why did you decide to come to Minnesota?
SN: When I came on my visit, I fell in love with campus. I loved the coaches and players I met when I visited. It was a gut decision that told me this was the right to be.
GS: You have some pretty strong ties to volleyball, especially in the Big Ten. Can you talk about following in your mom and aunt's footsteps in playing volleyball in this conference?
SN: I just fell in love with it on my own, they didn't put any pressure on me to play. Once I decided I wanted to they encouraged me to work hard and stick with it and it just kind of came.
Did they give you any advice on playing at this level?
SN: Now that I am here they have started to. During the high school years they didn't as much. But now that i'm here, my aunt who played at Purdue, has been telling me about her experiences at camp and preseason kind of helping me through it and what to expect.
GS: How have you been able to get acclimated to the UMN both in school and on the court?
SN: Coming over the summer definitely helped me get acclimated to everything. I got to know Bierman and started going there for study hour. I have just been finding my way around campus, it was a little rough at first, but I followed my roommates around campus for a while and now I know where to go. It has helped the transition a lot.
GS: You and Lauren Barnes come from the same high school, is it nice to have a previous connection on this current team?
SN: It is really nice. It is great to have a tie to home too, if I get homesick, she is right there. Same thing if my parents can't come to a game, maybe Lauren's can, so I will see them and have that connection.
GS: Have you been able to explore the city or campus much since you have been here? If so, what has been your favorite hangout?
SN: I have a little bit, Jasmyn (Martin) took us to some places because she knows the city pretty well. I would say Truce, which has smoothies and bowls. Dinkytown is awesome too, I have gotten to know that a little bit and like hanging out down there as well.
GS: Samantha Seliger-Swenson (a junior) is in your same position, has she been able to help you on how to adjust to the college game?
SN: For sure. Just kind of watching her lead by example, she has been here for awhile and knows the system. Looking at her for form and how she runs her offense has helped me a lot.
GS: What is some of the best advice or what you've learned from your teammates so far?
SN: Just the fact that they hold us all to a really high standard and help us reach that. They are very open for us to ask questions and support us along the way. The support they have been giving has helped a lot.
