In the Zone with Cassie Petoskey
10/17/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Freshman right side Cassie Petoskey comes from a long line of Michigan Wolverines. Her brother, Jim, played lacrosse for the Maize and Blue (one Wolverine), while her father, Bill, was a co-captain of the wrestling team in the 1980s (two Wolverines). Her grandfather, Jack, lettered in football in the 1940s (three Wolverines) and her great uncle, Ted, played football, baseball and basketball for Michigan (four Wolverines). Cassie (FIVE Wolverines) continues the tradition as a right side hitter this season. Cassie made her presence known the very first time she touched the volleyball in collegiate play. Facing Toledo in the Rockets' home gym, Cassie checked into the match for her first collegiate action, stepped to the service line, reared back and served an ace in her first try to burst onto the college scene. Cassie took time out of her schedule to answer questions about her Michigan pedigree and explain what it's like for a freshman athlete at Michigan.
How do you balance athletics and academics in your first year of college
"It is hard to balance everything at first because college is so different from high school, but surprisingly, the athletic aspect really helped me manage my time better. I now know that I only have a certain amount of time to do my homework, so I dont procrastinate as much because I know I have to do it right away."
What does the University of Michigan mean to you
"I love being apart of the Michigan tradition. The University of Michigan has always meant a lot to my family. I feel like I have been a Wolverine my whole life. I have lived in Ann Arbor for 18 years and finally getting to live the college life here is really exciting."
Who has influenced you most in your life
"My family has influenced me the most. My mom and dad have taught me so much -- from how to tie my shoes to how to say no to drugs. I have also learned a lot from watching my brother and sister. They have taught me how to compete and love it. I respect them because of how much they taught me and now they definitely have influenced many important decisions that I have made in my life."
What did you work on most in the off-season to prepare for the upcoming season
"I worked out and conditioned, so I wouldn't have to work extra hard at the end of the summer to get back into shape. I also plan to play more beach volleyball this off-season to get the court sense that so many of my teammates have."
What is the best thing about getting a really good block
"The best thing about getting a really good block is the fact that you just shut down one of the other teams really good hitters. Blocks are even better when you know the hitter and you know they are good -- but you are better."
What are some of the favorite classes youve taken at U-M
"My favorite classes are my Intro to American Religion class and my English class. I have learned so much from them and my professors were awesome."
Who is your favorite non-volleyball athlete at U-M and why
"My favorite athletes are Jim Petoskey and Pete Vasher who play lacrosse."
How did you get into volleyball
"I wasnt doing any sport in the winter season in middle school, so I decided to try out for the middle school team. I was terrible and barely made the team. My coach, Karen Draves, was awesome and got me onto a club team. Volleyball is so fun. I loved it after the first day."
What do you like most about Ann Arbor
"I love how there are so many different people. I never get bored walking around Ann Arbor because there are always interesting people around. I also love the Arb and the Huron River that runs through it."
What is the gameday experience like when you play at home
"My favorite part about home games is when the band starts to play and it just gets me really fired up. The Zone is so funny too. I love Saturday games especially because there are tons of football tailgaters and watching them get all excited just makes me more pumped up for our game."
What are some of the challenges of road trips
"The hardest part about road trips is that we are always somewhere different and I never have a long enough time period to actually get any homework done."
What is your best road trip story
"Being in the car with Beth (Karpiak) and Liz (Raschke) -- so funny."
What is the most rewarding thing about playing volleyball for Michigan
"The most rewarding thing about playing volleyball for Michigan is that I know I am a part of something great. We are all a part of the Michigan volleyball family and it a reward in itself to be a part of it."
What are your impressions of game night in Cliff Keen Arena Who have been some of the players to help in your transition to college volleyball What are some of the differences between high school, club and college volleyball What has been your most memorable welcome to college moment What did it feel like to touch the court for the first time and then serve an ace
"Game night in Cliff Keen is like nothing else. It is a relatively small arena and it so fun to see all the fans pack in to watch us play. I love the band that plays for us and The Zone is fun. Everything makes me feel better and the team we are playing way worse -- I love it."
"Really, the whole team helped me transition. Beth Karpiak and Liz Rashke have really helped me feel more a part of the team but everyone did little things to make me feel welcome and in turn, play better."
"All three are extremely different levels of play. High school was really fun but if I never played club then I would not have seen the highest competition, and I wouldnt have been able to play in college. College is faster, harder, and downright better than any volleyball I have ever played."
"When I got my first paper back. I didnt do so well on it."
"I was never really expecting to be thrown in, especially because it was the last point or something close to it, so I didnt have enough time to get nervous. It was almost surreal and really exciting."
THIS OR THAT -- THE QUICK 10
Steak or Sushi: Steak
Cereal or Bagel: Cereal
Sandler or Chappelle: Sandler
Early Riser of Late to Bed: Early Riser
Daffy Duck or Bugs Bunny: Bugs Bunny
Big House or Yost: Yost
Water or Soda: Pop (not soda)
Bus or Plane: Plane
Beach or Poolside: Beach
Mayo or Hold the Mayo: Mayo
Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423
