University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Freshman Feature: Becca Rendahl
8/30/2018 11:35:00 AM | Volleyball
Gophersports.com: Why Minnesota?
Rebecca Rendahl: I choose Minnesota because I wanted to be pushed to be the best person, leader and athlete. I think the competitive atmosphere, coaching staff and players can all push me to get there.
GS: When did you first start playing volleyball and how did you get involved in the sport?
RR: I started playing volleyball when I was 11 years old. My fifth grade teacher kind of recruited me to play for the middle school team.
Why did @RebeccaRendahl chose Minnesota? Find out here. pic.twitter.com/vQSHbbqq0g
— Minnesota Volleyball (@GopherVBall) August 23, 2018
GS: When did you realize you wanted to play college volleyball?
RR: Probably seventh grade, so a year after I started playing I knew that was something I wanted to do. I started playing club volleyball and then once you get into that, that's when the recruiting starts.
GS: How has the adjustment been from high school and club volleyball to the college level?
RR: Definitely how much time and concentration is spent on volleyball. Since we are starting before school, we focus a lot on the team and playing volleyball. It's awesome, but just different and you put more work into it.
GS: How have other players in your position helped you transition?
RR: They talk to me constantly when we are doing any drill, they are always giving me keys and pointers that I might not have otherwise known. Even in the summer when we didn't have coaches at open gym, they would tell me how to improve.
GS: What is the best piece of advice you have received from your teammates or coaches so far?
RR: From a teammate, to trust the process and don't get too caught up in each mistake. You get so many different opportunities that one mistake won't define your entire career.
GS: Being from out of state, how has the adjustment been and how has the team helped you with that process?
RR: They are really close and super inclusive. On the first day I got here, they told me to come over and hang out, so I got to meet everybody immediately. We basically do everything together, there is never a time where I feel left out, I feel like they are all my sisters that I never had because I was an only child.
GS: What has it been like to work with the Gopher coaching staff?
RR: Each of the coaches bring a different aspect to the table. I think it is really cool how they all work together and they are all on the same page. There is never a time when Laura says something and Hugh contradicts it, they all have the same goal and direction to get there.