University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers in the Pros: Hannah Tapp
2/4/2020 1:33:00 PM | Volleyball
Hannah Tapp (2013-2016) just completed her fourth professional volleyball season, this year in Japan. The Stewartville, Minn., native has had a busy year training with USA Volleyball and playing professionally this winter with Hitachi Rivale. It was her first year in Japan after playing two seasons in Italy and one year in Germany. Now, that the professional season is complete, Tapp is getting ready to get back in the USA gym as they are set to close out this Olympic quad. Tapp was a two-time American Volleyball Coaches Association All-American, a two-time All-Big Ten honoree, a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and Academic All-District honoree. Read more about her professional season and what's next for her in this latest update.
You played in Japan this season and have wrapped up your season. Tell us about your team and how you landed a spot there?
"My team was located in Hitachinaka City, Japan - about two hours north of Tokyo. I found Hitachi Rivale (the name of my pro team) during World Cup; I was signed to play in Brazil and Hitachi was supposed to have a different player joining their team, but she unfortunately learned she would have to sit the season out do to an injury. Japan hosted the World Cup and Hitachi's general manager saw me play there. I have always wanted to play in Japan and with the season being shorter in such an important year, I wanted to make the switch. It's not easy backing out of a commitment, after all, I committed to play with a Brazilian club. You can imagine their disappointment in me turning on my word. However, it was a decision I made for myself and my career, and I have not regretted my decision one bit."
You were the only American on your team this past season, was that a challenge for you, or something you learned to embrace?
"I was the only American, but also the only foreigner on my team this season, which was very different from my past overseas experiences. It was a short season though, so I didn't get too lonely, but when you can you talk to your translator day in and day out, you crave the complexities of the different relationships you have back home. You begin to miss even conversations with grocery clerks."
You've played in a couple different countries already in your short professional career. Tell us the differences between the leagues and countries.
"I have played in Germany, Italy and Japan. Japan takes care of their athletes very well, from dining halls to treatment rooms - they make sure you're in good condition to do your best. Italy's league is very strong with some of the world's best talent. German's league reminded me of the NCAA. All seasons have been very different and challenging in their own ways. Each consecutive year has gotten better and that may be my ability to adjust or the living situations and team accommodations have also improved--it's hard to say."
In these countries, have you been able to site see at all and what's been some of your favorite places?
"I did more site-seeing in Italy than Japan, because in Japan we played twice a week every week. Although the season was short, they kept us very busy. My favorite place is Cita Alta in Bergamo, they have a restaurant called Da Mimmo and if you're ever in the area you must stop by. I would suggest their pizza and a glass of Brunello di Montalcino if you like red wine."
You've had to battle some injuries during your pro career. How have you been able to manage that and still compete with USA Volleyball?
"I tore my patella tendon in 2017, which was a setback, but also made me realize the importance of strength training and having a recovery regimen. I am better off today because of it, although I never wish to go through that again."
Now that the pro season is complete, what's on the horizon?
"I am going to Anaheim, Calif., to train with Tori Dixon and the rest of the players back with the national team and gear up for a solid training block heading into 2020."
We're starting a new semester here at Minnesota. What advice do you have for the Gophers as they prepare for the spring season?
"Hold nothing back. Change now. Check in with yourself mentally and physically. Eat well and enough to not just survive spring training, but come out of it your strongest and best self yet. Serve your teammates. Be grateful for your coaches, it will never get better than them. Scroll less, connect more. Outwork yourself. Enjoy every second, those box pushes won't last long, but neither will the time you get living and training with your best friends."
You played in Japan this season and have wrapped up your season. Tell us about your team and how you landed a spot there?
"My team was located in Hitachinaka City, Japan - about two hours north of Tokyo. I found Hitachi Rivale (the name of my pro team) during World Cup; I was signed to play in Brazil and Hitachi was supposed to have a different player joining their team, but she unfortunately learned she would have to sit the season out do to an injury. Japan hosted the World Cup and Hitachi's general manager saw me play there. I have always wanted to play in Japan and with the season being shorter in such an important year, I wanted to make the switch. It's not easy backing out of a commitment, after all, I committed to play with a Brazilian club. You can imagine their disappointment in me turning on my word. However, it was a decision I made for myself and my career, and I have not regretted my decision one bit."
You were the only American on your team this past season, was that a challenge for you, or something you learned to embrace?
"I was the only American, but also the only foreigner on my team this season, which was very different from my past overseas experiences. It was a short season though, so I didn't get too lonely, but when you can you talk to your translator day in and day out, you crave the complexities of the different relationships you have back home. You begin to miss even conversations with grocery clerks."
You've played in a couple different countries already in your short professional career. Tell us the differences between the leagues and countries.
"I have played in Germany, Italy and Japan. Japan takes care of their athletes very well, from dining halls to treatment rooms - they make sure you're in good condition to do your best. Italy's league is very strong with some of the world's best talent. German's league reminded me of the NCAA. All seasons have been very different and challenging in their own ways. Each consecutive year has gotten better and that may be my ability to adjust or the living situations and team accommodations have also improved--it's hard to say."
In these countries, have you been able to site see at all and what's been some of your favorite places?
"I did more site-seeing in Italy than Japan, because in Japan we played twice a week every week. Although the season was short, they kept us very busy. My favorite place is Cita Alta in Bergamo, they have a restaurant called Da Mimmo and if you're ever in the area you must stop by. I would suggest their pizza and a glass of Brunello di Montalcino if you like red wine."
You've had to battle some injuries during your pro career. How have you been able to manage that and still compete with USA Volleyball?
"I tore my patella tendon in 2017, which was a setback, but also made me realize the importance of strength training and having a recovery regimen. I am better off today because of it, although I never wish to go through that again."
Now that the pro season is complete, what's on the horizon?
"I am going to Anaheim, Calif., to train with Tori Dixon and the rest of the players back with the national team and gear up for a solid training block heading into 2020."
We're starting a new semester here at Minnesota. What advice do you have for the Gophers as they prepare for the spring season?
"Hold nothing back. Change now. Check in with yourself mentally and physically. Eat well and enough to not just survive spring training, but come out of it your strongest and best self yet. Serve your teammates. Be grateful for your coaches, it will never get better than them. Scroll less, connect more. Outwork yourself. Enjoy every second, those box pushes won't last long, but neither will the time you get living and training with your best friends."
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