University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers in the Pros: Paige Tapp
1/16/2018 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Paige Tapp has had an eventful year. After completing her collegiate volleyball career in December 2016, she graduated from Minnesota, signed a pro contract to play in Puerto Rico, and later went on to play with USA Volleyball. After training with USA Volleyball this past fall, Tapp went on to sign a contract to play in Germany with Allianz Stuttgart. Read more of what Tapp has been up to in this recent question/answer session.
Gophersports: You trained with USA Volleyball during the fall. How has that benefitted your game?
Paige Tapp: Training this fall was extremely beneficial for me. I was able to really focus in on my strength training. It's important to build a strong foundation for future season, and injury prevention. I had been playing for an extended period of time without an offseason to restrengthen that base. I was also able to work on the court with (USA Volleyball coach) Karch Kiraly and a few other teammates every day. I worked on my fundamentals, learned new concepts, and had some quality time to fix inefficiencies I have had for a while. I feel really fortunate to have had those months to grow.
GS: You were able to play for USA Volleyball in 2017. What was the best part of that experience?
PT: The past summer was such an incredible experience, and something I have worked for my entire career. Putting on the jersey is an honor, and the teammates and staff you share the experience with are my favorite part. Getting to know players that I have battled against for years, learning from new coaches, and competing with a group with very special goals was incredible. These are memories and friendships I will have for the rest of my life.
GS: Tell everyone how you landed a spot with Stuttgart in December?
PT: I was looking forward to playing overseas for the 2017-2018 season, but planned on training in California until a great opportunity came up. I left on Thanksgiving weekend to visit my sister (Hannah) in Italy with the intention of coming back to train after the holiday. The assistant coach for USA Volleyball, Tama Miyashiro, called me a few days before I was planning on leaving Italy to see if I could play the remainder of the season for her professional team in Stuttgart, Germany. The team had some injuries, and was looking for a middle. I headed straight there from Italy!
GS: You've recently been featured in an advertisement with a few well known professional athletes? How did this transpire and tell us about the experience.
PT: Adidas has been working very hard to grow its influence in sport of volleyball, it is a company that shares similar values as I do, and it was something I wanted to get behind. I signed with them in the fall, and have been fortunate enough to be included in various promotional campaigns for them. The Sport 17 Commercial (Tapp is shown at 23 seconds and 40 seconds), which features various athletes, was an incredible honor to be included in. The whole experience was unbelievable. To be able to represent the sport of volleyball, and have a seat at that table was incredible.
Calling all Creators. Let's change sport. Let's change lives. Let's create. #HereToCreate pic.twitter.com/bxFY6MUNVP
- adidas (@adidas) December 20, 2017
GS: Now playing both in Puerto Rico and in Europe, can you share a little about the differences of each location?
PT: Every professional league is very different, and Puerto Rico and Germany are no exception. In Germany, the fans are incredible. Our home environment is sold-out, stands filled with loud, loyal Stuttgart fans. I feel very lucky to play in yet another (including the Gophers) place that cares about this sport. Of course the fans would rather be enjoying a competitive sports game, rather than sit outside in the winter cold. I miss the constant sunny days, but am happy with where I am and the level of play this league brings.
GS: Being a year out of Gopher Volleyball, what were some of the things that you look back at and has continued to help you in your professional career?
PT: Gopher Volleyball was the most influential program in my life. I learned how to work hard, how to really work hard. I am constantly challenged, but in ways that my time at Minnesota helped prepare me for. I can set goals, evaluate my progress, and continually seek out ways to improve. I left the Gopher program with an attitude to give absolutely everything I have to everything I do. I will always know I did what I could, and I will always be enough for myself.
