In the Zone with Beth Karpiak
10/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sophomore middle blocker Beth Karpiak toiled in her freshman season to find a spot on the floor. She started the 2005 season opener, but struggled to find a spot on the floor in her debut season, bouncing around on the floor and learning about college volleyball the hard way. And then the off-season arrived and she dedicated herself to working on her blocking, hitting and conditioning. Beth returned an entirely new volleyball player in the fall and carved a starting spot in the middle. Since August, Beth has started all 23 matches for the Wolverines, leading the team in blocks and setting career highs in all statistical categories. She leads the team in hitting percentage as well and has become a dangerous force on offense and defense. Beth took time out of her schedule to answer questions about school, volleyball and her favorite Chicago Bear ... Rex Grossman.
How did you balance academics and athletics as a freshman
"I managed to balance the two by staying focused. At Michigan, there is so much to distract you, but I made sure to keep academics and volleyball as my top priority. I found that the easiest way to stay focused was to keep my day structured. Especially during the season, I would map out my day and make sure I set aside time to study. Another thing that helped keep the balance between the two was keeping in contact with my professors. They really appreciate it if you keep them updated on when you'll be missing class or assignments because of travel."
What does the University of Michigan mean to you
"It means opportunity. Michigan is one of the finest universities in the nation both academically and athletically. Michigan encourages and promotes growth by challenging its students in multiple aspects of life. There is nothing holding me back here and the opportunities are limitless."
Who are your biggest influences
"My parents are hands down my biggest influences. Even if I don't exactly have the same opinions, they have taught me everything I need to know to grow up and be a happy, strong and independent person.
What did you work on during the off-season
"I worked mostly on blocking, hitting and conditioning. During spring individual practices, I would either work entirely on hitting or entirely on blocking. I did so many repetitions and got so many touches that I am more confident and relaxed with those skills."
What is the best thing about a great block
"The best thing is the immediate gratification. It feels so good to know that the hitter on the other side of the net didn't even get a chance to make our back row play defense."
What are some of your favorite classes
"I love CAAS 103 which is a first year social science seminar about race. We learned how to view race in the United States and how to be critical of so-called scientific or psychological studies that deal with race as a category. It was a great class with only 18 students and our professor made it easy for us to share our opinions. I probably learned just as much from the students as the professor."
Who is your favorite non-volleyball athlete at Michigan
"I love Michigan football but I would have to choose my roommate from freshman year, Stephanie Hoyer of the U-M field hockey team. She's like Super Girl. She's good at everything she does. She's so dedicated to field hockey, she's an amazing student and she knows how to have fun too."
What is one of your favorite road trip stories
"Although some of my teammates might disagree, my favorite road trip story happened freshman year when our video guy, Gervis, spent an entire weekend making up lame jokes that we thought were very funny. The rest of the team may have been a little annoyed, but we had fun. An example - Beth: Oh my gosh Liz. Doesn't it smell like scrakin here Liz: What's scrackin, Beth Beth: Oh, nothing. What's crackin' with you Liz (Ed. Note: You can also use "sappenin'" or "snew").
Tell your Rex Grossman story.
Well I met Rex Grossman at a Chicago Bears convention in downtown Chicago and I asked him if he would be my organ donor witness and sign the back of my license. He, being the fine upstanding gentleman that he is, agreed to do so. Right before he was about to give my license back to me he said wait, looked at the front and said, Beth, I hope you never have to use this. I said thanks and we parted ways hopefully to meet again someday. Now I can tell everyone that Rex Grossman is my organ donor witness, all I have to do to prove it is show them my license. However, I will be turning 21 in the next year and will have to get a new license.
Where does your love of the Chicago Bears come from
Im not exactly sure but I would say that it comes from living in a city that idolizes football, especially Bears football. I would also say that some of it comes from the fact that both my dad and my grandpa played football in college. Also, who wouldnt love Bears football Its so fun to watch, the defense is amazing, weve finally got an offense, and with an undefeated start in 2006, I see a Super Bowl trip in the near future.
Explain The Wolverine move.
The Wolverine got its start when Liz Raschke and I were at a social function and we were just casually dancing. All of a sudden we both got really excited and full of school spirit because we had just won a match and there was a football game the next day. In that case, I decided to express that emotion through the form of dance and out came The Wolverine. Its a forward motion overhead with both arms while making a wolverine-type noise. From that point on, I decided that The Wolverine was destined for bigger and better things beside causal dance, so we worked it into our service ace cheer. I hope that it catches on in other sporting events and becomes a school wide thing.
Whats the deal with your new car
Well the car isnt exactly new, but this is my first year having it on campus. Its a Volkswagen bug convertible. Ive loved having it at school so far but once winter rolls around and it gets its first taste of winter without a garage it could be a completely different story.
What has been the biggest challenge of moving into the middle fulltime
Personally, I prefer to be in the middle full time rather than switching positions because it has given me a chance to get comfortable. Nonetheless, the biggest challenge has been trying to stay a consistent and stable part of our offense.
Contact: Richard Retyi (734) 763-4423
