University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
Gophers in the Pros: Alexis Hart
3/31/2020 9:57:00 AM | Volleyball, M Club
Alexis Hart completed her collegiate career in 2019 and helped guide the Gophers to a 2019 Final Four berth. During her Gopher career, Hart was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten selection. Holding 1,451 kills during her Minnesota career, Hart was a part of two Final Four teams and a Big Ten title team in 2018. Since graduating in December 2019, Hart signed her first professional contract with LP Kangasala in Finland. Although her first pro season was cut short due to COVID-19, Hart learned a lot about herself and what she's looking forward to in the future. Read up on Hart in our latest Gophers in the Pros.
Tell us a little bit about your team and how it was going in your first year.
"On my team, there were three Americans and age ranges from 19 to 26. It was a good balance from very little to no professional volleyball experience to players who competed for many years. We were currently second in the league and doing well. But because of COVID-19, the playoffs got canceled, which was a bummer because it would have been my first pro playoffs. Overall the season was great and a good experience!"
What was the adjustment for you going from the collegiate game to now the international scene?
"The biggest adjustment has been learning a different style of volleyball. In college we played a lot faster, but in Europe or for the team I played with, it wasn't as fast as in college or the game also wasn't as fast as collegiate volleyball. Another adjustment was learning to recognize when I made a mistake. In professional volleyball, I feel like the coaches are there to help you, but you also are there to teach yourself compared to college where the staff would remind me how to do something or simply how to improve."
Playing professional volleyball has always been a goal for you. Now that it's here, what have you already learned about yourself? What was something you didn't expect when playing professionally?
"I have learned that I am a lot more confident in my first season as a professional player compared to my freshman collegiate season. Something I didn't expect was to gain great connections and friendships within two months of being in Finland. I still talk to some of the players now even though the season has ended. I wasn't expecting to gain good relationships within the amount of time I was there."
How did Gopher volleyball prepare you for this next level?
"Gopher Volleyball prepared me for the next level by helping me realize that when I made a mistake, I can recognize what needs to be done or how I can correct it myself. Gopher Volleyball also prepared me to hit off many different setters over the past four years. I've had many talented setters with different styles so going from college to the next level I felt more prepared in working and adjusting to those different setters. Lastly, I felt prepared to face adversity and a different environment setting because of Gopher Volleyball."
Talk about the end of your season and what's next for you.
"After the season was canceled I was able to fly home thankfully and now I have been in quarantine for a week and a half. If I have learned anything from this situation it has taught me that everyone should take it very serious. Just stay home, stay healthy and keep your social distance from everyone.
"After my first pro season I would love to play again in August, but obviously with the COVID-19, I will have to wait and see what happens. With my first season being cut so short because of the pandemic, I didn't really get the full experience. I am thrilled for the next pro season!"