University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Spring Recap from the Gophers
5/2/2018 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
The Gopher Volleyball program concluded the 2018 spring season last Saturday as the Gophers hosted an intrasquad scrimmage. We checked in with three student-athletes who will become seniors in 2018: Sophie Beckley, Kayla Buford and Samantha Seliger-Swenson. Here's their take on the spring season and what's to come in the next months leading into the 2018 season.
Gopher Sports: Overall, how do you think the spring season went?
Sophie Beckley: I thought the spring season went really well. We worked really hard just to get a little bit better every practice and I think that will show up later in the season.
Kayla Buford: I think the spring this year was probably one of the best we've had since I've been here. Overall, the growth we had on and off the court was really good and I can't wait to see what it brings going into the fall.
Samantha Seliger-Swenson: I think it went really well. We put in a lot of hard work in the weight room, during conditioning, and getting better at our volleyball skills. Overall, I think we've really gotten a lot better.
GS: How do you think the spring competition will help you into next year?
SB: The spring competition is a really great time for us to play other teams outside of regular competition and really put into place those small gains we've been working on throughout the spring and the winter. It also gives a sense of what else we want to work on over the summer and getting into fall for fall competition.
KB: I think the spring competition will definitely help us because there were so many things that we were doing that we weren't doing before. There were plays we were making, moves we were making, balls we were digging that we weren't doing just a month ago. If we stay on this path, it will help us next week, next month, and hopefully in December.
SSS: We had a lot of competition this spring. We had a lot of weekends where we were playing against other opponents, and also ourselves, which is competition in itself. I think that will really help us, in the fall, when we're playing against hard opponents in the Big Ten.
GS: What are your summer plans?
SB: I am going to go home to Seattle and spend some time with my family, play a little outdoor volleyball. Then, back here to Minnesota for summer training, summer open gym, and I'll be taking a couple classes.
KB: I'll definitely be here to lift and train and play volleyball. I'll take some summer classes. I'll definitely some much needed recovery.
SSS: I'm actually studying abroad for one month in Florence, Italy. Once I get back, we'll start summer school, captain's practices, and just getting ready for the 2018 season.
GS: What are you looking forward to in 2018?
SB: I'm really looking forward to fall for my senior season. It's crazy it's gone by so fast. I'm really looking forward to getting back to competing in the Big Ten for one more year.
KB: I'm looking forward to, hopefully, winning a national championship. But, just another great season with the Gophers, making memories for my final year in Minnesota.
SSS: I'm really excited to get out there and compete again for one last season with my team and at the Pav. Hopefully extending that to the Target Center in December.