University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers in the Pros: Tori Dixon
2/6/2018 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Feb. 6, 2018 
Tori Dixon played with the Gophers from 2010-13. A two-time All-American and All-Big Ten selection, Dixon ranks first in the Minnesota recordbooks as the program's most efficient hitter. During her career, Dixon hit .369, including .436 her junior year. She went on to play professionally following her senior season in 2013 and also is a regular within the USA Volleyball gym. However, at the start of her 2016 pro season, Dixon suffered a season-ending knee injury and, unfortunately, the 2016 Summer Olympics. However, she rebounded and is back playing with USA Volleyball and professionally this season with Saugella Team Monza. Playing her first season in Italy, Dixon has also played professionally in Japan and Azerbaijan. Here's a check in with avid Gopher and Viking fan, Tori Dixon.
Gophersports.com: After suffering an injury in 2016, this is your first season returning to professional volleyball. Talk to us a little bit about returning to the international game.
Tori Dixon: Returning to the international game was huge for me. I played my first match back at World Grand Prix, and played throughout the tournament. It was a good test, both mentally and physically, because Grand Prix is one of the longest tournaments with the most matches over a month's time frame. It was a good first tournament, and I'm so happy to be back playing again after being out for over a year.
GS: This is your first year of playing in Italy, how does it compare to some of the other leagues/locations you've had a chance to play in?
TD: Italy has been amazing so far. This is the most competitive league I've been in. It's very similar to the Big Ten, as in everyone can beat everyone any given night. You always have to be at your best because everyone is so good. It's a challenge, but a very rewarding one at that. I played in Japan for a year, and Azerbaijan for 2 years. Japan was amazing, but a completely different kind of volleyball. I learned a lot from all my experiences, but I'm glad to be in Italy this year.
GS: What's been your favorite part about playing in Italy, on or off the court?
TD: On the court, my favorite part is the competitiveness. Everyone is so good. The league is crazy because the last placed team can beat the first placed team, and anything can happen if people don't show up every night. My team is in fifth place now, but the level of play among every team in the league is so high. Off the court, my favorite part is probably the food and the cities. Italian food is self explanatory, SO GOOD. I live about 30 minutes outside of Milan. It's so close to a lot of different things, and a lot of different places. We take day trips to a lot of surrounding areas, and when we have two days off, we can venture out a little further. I love being in a place with lots of bucket list destinations nearby.
GS: If you had to give advice to younger volleyball players thinking of getting into professional volleyball, what would you tell them?
TD: Go for it! It's hard work, but if you fully commit to the process, and get comfortable being uncomfortable, it'll be one of the most worthwhile things you can ever do. Most people want to travel and explore when they're young. Why not get paid to play a game for a living and fully experience another culture? And, you get to travel the world on the side! I think it would be a great opportunity for everyone.
GS: You're a big Minnesota Vikings fan, were you able to follow the team along during this recent season?
TD: Of course! I tried my best to stream games over here, but that can be tricky sometimes. Games were normally on super late (middle of the night) Italian time. I would try to be the best Vikings fan I could be, but sometimes sleep trumped watching the games. I definitely stayed up for all playoff games and was up until 3:30 a.m., watching that Minneapolis miracle until the end- WORTH IT.
Tori Dixon played with the Gophers from 2010-13. A two-time All-American and All-Big Ten selection, Dixon ranks first in the Minnesota recordbooks as the program's most efficient hitter. During her career, Dixon hit .369, including .436 her junior year. She went on to play professionally following her senior season in 2013 and also is a regular within the USA Volleyball gym. However, at the start of her 2016 pro season, Dixon suffered a season-ending knee injury and, unfortunately, the 2016 Summer Olympics. However, she rebounded and is back playing with USA Volleyball and professionally this season with Saugella Team Monza. Playing her first season in Italy, Dixon has also played professionally in Japan and Azerbaijan. Here's a check in with avid Gopher and Viking fan, Tori Dixon.
Gophersports.com: After suffering an injury in 2016, this is your first season returning to professional volleyball. Talk to us a little bit about returning to the international game.
Tori Dixon: Returning to the international game was huge for me. I played my first match back at World Grand Prix, and played throughout the tournament. It was a good test, both mentally and physically, because Grand Prix is one of the longest tournaments with the most matches over a month's time frame. It was a good first tournament, and I'm so happy to be back playing again after being out for over a year.
GS: This is your first year of playing in Italy, how does it compare to some of the other leagues/locations you've had a chance to play in?
TD: Italy has been amazing so far. This is the most competitive league I've been in. It's very similar to the Big Ten, as in everyone can beat everyone any given night. You always have to be at your best because everyone is so good. It's a challenge, but a very rewarding one at that. I played in Japan for a year, and Azerbaijan for 2 years. Japan was amazing, but a completely different kind of volleyball. I learned a lot from all my experiences, but I'm glad to be in Italy this year.
GS: What's been your favorite part about playing in Italy, on or off the court?
TD: On the court, my favorite part is the competitiveness. Everyone is so good. The league is crazy because the last placed team can beat the first placed team, and anything can happen if people don't show up every night. My team is in fifth place now, but the level of play among every team in the league is so high. Off the court, my favorite part is probably the food and the cities. Italian food is self explanatory, SO GOOD. I live about 30 minutes outside of Milan. It's so close to a lot of different things, and a lot of different places. We take day trips to a lot of surrounding areas, and when we have two days off, we can venture out a little further. I love being in a place with lots of bucket list destinations nearby.
GS: If you had to give advice to younger volleyball players thinking of getting into professional volleyball, what would you tell them?
TD: Go for it! It's hard work, but if you fully commit to the process, and get comfortable being uncomfortable, it'll be one of the most worthwhile things you can ever do. Most people want to travel and explore when they're young. Why not get paid to play a game for a living and fully experience another culture? And, you get to travel the world on the side! I think it would be a great opportunity for everyone.
GS: You're a big Minnesota Vikings fan, were you able to follow the team along during this recent season?
TD: Of course! I tried my best to stream games over here, but that can be tricky sometimes. Games were normally on super late (middle of the night) Italian time. I would try to be the best Vikings fan I could be, but sometimes sleep trumped watching the games. I definitely stayed up for all playoff games and was up until 3:30 a.m., watching that Minneapolis miracle until the end- WORTH IT.
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