Game Point With Erin Cobler
11/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Senior/juniorErin Coblerwas chosen as one of the captains of the 2005 Michigan volleyball team at the start of the season and has taken that responsibility to heart. Cobler has played the most matches and made the most starts of any Wolverine on the current roster and she uses her experience and results on the court to help her teammates improve and adjust to the college game.
Erin took some time out of her busy schedule to talk about what makes right side hitters so unique, how her redshirt season made her a better player and just why she loves getting a solid block.
Onbeing namedcaptain of the 2005 team...
Itwas a big honor to be selected by my teammates. I also realize the great responsibility that comes with that. I love these girls -- they are like family, so I want to do my best to lead them in the right direction.
Onher offseason conditioning...
I had my knee scoped at the end of April, so the first half of the summer I was resting and rehabbing. Once I got cleared, my biggest focus was just regaining my strength and cardio.
Onhow her redshirt season helped her game...
I learned a lot from Nicole Poquette when I redshirted because she was the right side hitter ahead of me. I was able to work through a lot of the mental game and gain confidence in myself. It also taught me the importance of playing a role. I had to learn to work hard even when I had no chance of playing on the weekends.
Onthe importance of herfamily being so involved with the team...
Its awesome for me. I love having my family around and involved in the program. My parents are awesome and have been to all of my games since I started playing in middle school. Its great to share my parents with the rest of my teammates.
Onwhat makes a right side hitter unique...
The hardest thing about being a right side hitter is the blocking responsibility that comes along with it. Often, I am matched up with their strongest hitter. If I cant do my job as a blocker, my defense will have a very hard time. As an outside hitter, one has to focus more on terminating and attacking.
Onplaying college volleyball so close to her hometown of Dexter...
Its great being here in Michigan. I love being close to home and being able to see my family and friends all the time. I moved around a lot as a kid so it means a lot to me to have roots here in Michigan.
Onwhat the University of Michigan means to her...
The University of Michigan, first and foremost, means tradition. In our lockers, we have all cards that tell us about all the people in Michigan volleyball who have worn our number in the past. We read about their accomplishments and remember that we are representing them as we put on that jersey. Going beyond Michigan volleyball, you realize that you are a part of something so much greater. I love watching other athletes on television and to think about how Im friends with them, I train with them and I see them in the weight room or at class. Its a privilege to be a part of that.
Onwhat makes the Michigan coaching staff successful...
There are a lot of things that contribute to the staffs success. I think Mark, Leisa and Ed are a great balance to each other. Everyone on the team is close with one of them and so you always have a coach you can connect with. They also bring lots of diversity to practice in terms of their different personalities. In addition, I think our coaches know how to coach better than some because they have been successful in the past with Mark as a coach and Leisa being both a player and a coach. Theyve been at the top and know the path you need to take to get there, and theyre leading us down it.
Onher biggest influences in life...
I cant say just one person because so many people have influenced who I am today. My parents have been thesteadiest influence for sure but I cant leave out my fianc, my older brothers, my friends and the coaches from the past and present. Everyone in my life has changed me in some way, challenged me or pushed me to look at things differently.
Onthe best thing about a big block...
I love blocking! Its like a little battle you play within a match. Its just you versus the attacker at times, and I love controlling their choices. The best is when youre one on one which means that the other team has done a good job in pulling our middle blocker out of it, so its just me and their outside. Its great because in that situation they have the advantage; they should get a kill, but if I can do my job and stop them it can really frustrate the opponent. It makes them so mad and I love it.
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Contact:Richard Retyi(734) 763-4423
