Latest / Set 6: The Official MLV Podcast / Episode 012 | "The Journey Isn't Linear," Allie Sczech Joins NorCal
Transcript
- speaker-0: To the Set 6 podcast. This is episode 12 of the official podcast of Major League Volleyball. However, you're joining us, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, we thank you for doing so. I'm your host, Severin Lavenstein, and we're glad you're here. Please, before you go and listen to this episode being episode 12, go listen to episode 11. We had an awesome conversation with our set six correspondent Jenna Rosenthal, talking all things MLV free agency. So if you want to get caught up, if you want all of the latest, please go and listen to that episode also. Jenna's always so great at giving a lot of great anecdotes and perspective from her playing days. So lots of good stuff in there. Had a blast with it. So go check it out. Hey, happy belated World Volleyball Day. Hope you were out and playing some volleyball last weekend. And happy belated Fourth of July. Hope that you didn't get as sunburned as I did. And ⁓ hope that everybody stayed safe. No fireworks incidents and all just had a great time. So ⁓ hope you're back and well rested from a long weekend and ⁓ ready to get going. I mean this Everything's everything's still in full swing. We'll talk about it in news with ⁓ V and L, some announcements, and ⁓ you know, some more things coming down the pike, which we will get to. And so with that, the show format is going to be news, an interview and a wrap up. And if you've clicked on this episode, you know that our interview is with MLV Norcals, Allie Check. I know I say this a lot, but this truly was, I think, one of my favorite interviews to date. I've never met Allie before, but ⁓ and actually that's actually not true. I had met her once at ⁓ I believe it was ⁓ when we when we talk about it in ⁓ the episode, her USA experience. I'd actually I we we I was saying it's it's funny. I had met her before and I'd taken her picture, which is on the the USA volleyball website for when she was part of that, I believe it was the U twenty one team, maybe U twenty three. ⁓ and you'll you'll hear it later. But that's funny. So I have actually met her before, but I'd never had an in depth conversation with her before and ⁓ was so, so grateful to do so. I hope you'll agree with me that this was ⁓ such a fun interview and lots of great stuff ⁓ from Allie, which we will talk about in a second. But I'm gonna hum along here because I'm imagining that this is probably a little bit on the longer side of of one of our episodes. ⁓ chat with Allie is about forty-five minutes. ⁓ so settle in for that one. ⁓ and we'll we'll hit the news first and then ⁓ we'll come back for the wrap up. So here we go with the news. ⁓ and please for more of this, go check out the web article on ⁓ MLVB.com and our official website. But I thought this was a cool one. ⁓ the article dropped ⁓ a couple weeks ago or last week, but ⁓ MLV and media engagement commercial footprint. ⁓ that's kind of the headline of it. MLV is engaging Premier Advisors Karen Broadkin, COO of WME Basketball, formerly co-head of WME Sports, and Hilary Mandel, EVP of IMG. And then also Echelon to strengthen its media rights and commercial strategy, Broadkin and Mendel. ⁓ to shape the and execute the league's next generation of media distribution framework and MLV retained echelon to lead its national commercial strategy. And so these partnerships are going to help the league in strengthening its platform for national and global brand partners. And really, if you're looking for the spark notes of why is the league doing this, well it helps MLV really reach beyond traditional volleyball endemic categories, opening premium sponsorship opportunities and partnership opportunities for Fortune 500 companies. And kind of just think more of outside of the traditional volleyball realm that you're seeing. So it's a lot of business speak and and business talk, but hopefully ⁓ that kind of narrows it down and and and breaks it down for you a little bit. And again, for more details, please go read the full article. It's really cool. I think these partnerships ⁓ are gonna be awesome for the league. ⁓ so excited to see ⁓ that all kind of play out into motion. And this one quote I'll leave you with from the article got me excited. And quote, additional announcements regarding specific franchise markets, expanded media rights, agreements, and founding national partnerships will be released in the coming months. Whatever could that be? I have an idea, but we'll see if if you do too. ⁓ next item on the news agenda. Opaha Omaha Supernovas. If you are in the the Nebraska, Omaha area, this one will be cool for you. It is the Omaha Supernovas equipment sale. Part of Starla's Summer Bash is the official title of it on Tuesday, July 14th at the College of St. Mary Field House, 5 30 to 7 30 local time. You can get match-worn jerseys, backpacks, luggage, armbands, shirts, and much more. You can also meet the new head coach Chris McGown, Kiara Reinhardt, and Allison Holder for some meet and greets, probably signing some autographs as well. I'll leave the details there. You can read more about that on the Omaha Supernova section of our website. ⁓ but really cool that Omaha is doing that. So ⁓ if you're free and available, want some gear and some meet and greets, go go go check that out. Always doing some great stuff ⁓ over there in Omaha. And to the signings for this week, ⁓ the only only a few, so we can give you a couple more details on them. ⁓ but I thought some some really interesting signings. ⁓ Minnesota, Emery Herman Setter, ⁓ obviously you might remember her from the University of Arizona, twenty twenty to twenty twenty-two, before transferring to Colorado State University, twenty twenty-three through twenty twenty-four. ⁓ so she is back in the States, ⁓ gonna be playing for Minnesota. Excited to see that. And then Columbus, Hana Klimetz opposite, left-handed opposite from Turkey A. She played in Turkey A last year. ⁓ she's actually from ⁓ Belarus and it plays on the ⁓ Belarus national team. ⁓ but she played in Turkey A last year, and then it's another Italian Serie A one. I've heard it's Serie A one as well, but that just makes me sound like I I don't know. I I don't wanna sound too soccer. So ⁓ you know, I I end up going Serie A one, but ⁓ Serie A ⁓ Serie A1 and that that elite Italian league ⁓ and also that really good ⁓ Turkey league that we know is really good. So ⁓ really great ⁓ international experience for Hana. ⁓ excited to see her with Columbus. We were talking last week with Jenna about who that next ⁓ I guess really that star player would be. You know, we had a great discussion about that could be Hana, so we'll we'll see that. And then ⁓ Claire Emerald, setter, ⁓ you might remember her from Iowa standout who was with Dallas last year. ⁓ in MLV. So two signings for Columbus, one for Minnesota, and we are recording here on Wednesday, July eighth. So maybe depending on when you listen to this, some more signings ⁓ that come out. But that's what I give ⁓ what I have for you right now. And final bit of news, let's talk some V and L at the time of recording again. I have only seen one match this week ⁓ for Team USA. ⁓ once again, no Cami Minor or Elena Scott. At this point I think it's a a better hope to s that we'll see them ⁓ at the North Seca Pan Am, maybe on that roster later this summer. I I would say probably at this point you're not going to see them on ⁓ on the V and L squad as they head into the final week after this one. Again, ⁓ math is always tricky for me. You know that by now if you've been listening to this podcast, but I would say ⁓ you know ⁓ barring maybe three losses down the stretch, I I I'd expect USA to to pretty comfortably be in that final week. But the score for their first match against Thailand ⁓ USA wins three nothing. ⁓ three sets and none and just some some random thoughts. I thought the middles dominated. ⁓ it was really cool to see just a match that I thought was led by that that group of middles, which we know are so good there. ⁓ offense and defense, both fantastic. ⁓ and then the double sub is still interesting. I'm not fully I haven't fully ful formulated my my take on it yet. ⁓ it stops momentum for sure, but that can sometimes be a good and bad thing. You know, and I think especially in in a match when leading the sets ⁓ pretty handily after two, ⁓ and then maybe kind of stall towards the end where you're looking for a set point. ⁓ sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad. So I haven't r fully formulated a thought yet, but I know there's a lot of a lot of discourse around it. I also saw some say that this match against Thailand was tougher than it should have been. I kind of disagreed with that. I think Thailand's a great team and they always they always bring out a a really good squad year after year. ⁓ I think they do a good job of stopping runs. So ⁓ I don't know. I didn't think it was tougher than it should have been. I thought it it it was probably probably went chalk on the scoreboard, but I think if you looked at the actual match and watched some of the sets, ⁓ you know, I thought great fight ⁓ from Thailand especially. So hey, just s some stats here. ⁓ Morgan Hence had five digs, Stephanie Samady had five kills, and on the other side Nooknik Jai Sen, one kill, one ace, thirty-one assists, and ⁓ Pyrkong yet four kills, so we had some MLV representation on both sides of the net in that match. Team USA has Poland, Turkey, and Brazil the rest of this week. So now let's preview our conversation with Ali Czech. Once again, like I said, I thought this was fantastic. Ali has such a great, authentic, positive perspective. I think we all know people who sometimes put on a front of positivity when maybe that's not how they are ⁓ in their own their own pr private lives. I do not think that's the case with Ali. I think Ali has such an authentic perspective. positive perspective that I loved. You'll hear it in this interview. Her volleyball career, ⁓ not being linear, but her being grateful for it, I think is such a cool perspective that you'll hear. And and as I said too in this interview, I think it's so it's not always easy in the moment or or even in the immediate aftermath to appreciate the highs and lows that come in a volleyball career. And it seems like she has had no problem with that. So that's awesome. And you'll also hear A lot of great quotes from Allie. One one of them was, You can't be grateful and stressed at the same time. That's one that you'll hear ⁓ for this as well. And and basically her saying, if you're grateful, you play better. So I know we're we're really just looking forward to seeing Allie le be one of the leaders of the MLV NorCal group. And before I go any further too, a huge thank you to the front office ⁓ and Allie for setting up this interview. So, ⁓ we'll get you over to it. Here is my chat with Allie Check on episode twelve of the Set Six Podcast. Allie, thank you so much for joining us on the Set Six podcast. We are stoked to have you in NorCal and in MLV. But first, please, the simple question, why MLV NorCal? speaker-1: I mean, gosh, like just it was such a whirlwind, but accepting a opportunity to play for them was the best thing ever. Like I am looking forward to it. I cannot wait. And I think the big thing for me was like the ownership group from Teresa to Vivick to Carrie. Like just people that really want to pour into the franchise and wanna create the best volleyball experience possible. But I also think, you know, NBA b NBA championship background to Olympian, like You're not saying no to those people and they obviously have a good vision for the sport. And so I think what's awesome is like it's just the beginning of this franchise and it's only gonna keep growing with amazing people behind it to support it. And then obviously, like it's in Norqual. ⁓ it's a great location, ⁓ near the beach, which is awesome, but also it's not too far from Stanford University. Like they have a ton of history in volleyball from the championships they've won to the conference titles to all Americans, like There's a presence for volleyball in that area, which I think is really unique and I think really helps our team. And I think, you know, going somewhere where volleyball is already established and you have these people that are so well known and they know the sport, like, why would you turn it down? You know? speaker-0: Yeah, absolutely. Th those resumes are like a C V S receipt. They just go on forever and ever. And yeah, I I totally with you there. Ta t can you tell us more about what some of those conversations were like? Like what when you get on the phone, like is it a very easy, like quick conversation or or what are some of the things that you talk about? speaker-1: Yeah, I mean, I think you get on the phone and you talk to them about kind of where you're at as a player, but also where they're at as a franchise. And what was really awesome is like I got on that phone and it was such a god thing for me. Like I was like, wow. Like we could not be more aligned, like just with what they're looking for and wanting players that just want like that are just hungry and they just want to be better volleyball players, like at the root. And that was something that I was also looking for. And so those values aligning was just, you know, it was kind of like a full circle moment and it was perfect of like, okay, well, why would we not give her this opportunity and why would I not accept it type of thing. And so I think when you're getting on those calls, you're talking a lot about, you know, like I said, what you're looking for, whether it's, you know, whether you want to be in a certain location, whether you're how what the housing looks like, you know, what like every detail under the sun, what's the volleyball gonna look like, you know, like how much are we going to train? What is training going to look like? What do I need be working on in the off season? And just things like that. And Like I said, like there was just such an alliance. I don't know if that's word. But there was such an alliance with me and them. And I think I just I knew I was like, This is from the Lord, like I need to accept this opportunity. speaker-0: Did they touch on at all kind of a and you touched on it right there, but just sort of their vision for the franchise? And it's obviously such a great opportunity for someone like you where you get to be the first chapter of that franchise or part of it. And did they kind of talk about what their vision is for the I I I will call it the finished product, even though, you know, we're excited for whatever that product is gonna be in twenty twenty seven. But if you sort of underst can understand what I mean there with just kind of like what their over overall vision of the franchise would be. speaker-1: Yeah, I mean, I think there's multiple things. I think they want to make an impact in the community. I think we want to connect, whether that be with the fans, whether that be with the locals, like finding a way to get people involved and get people pouring into our franchise. but then I also think just creating like a good diverse environment where everyone feels accepted and everyone feels appreciated and everyone feels like they can grow. So I think I know that's something that's really big to them that I really appreciate. And then obviously hoping to be Like the winning team, hoping to be the competitors, hoping to come out with the dubs, you know. I think winning the league is definitely at the top of the list. ⁓ and so having a competitive environment, but also one that's like inspiring to the next generation. I think the cool thing about MLV is it allows for American players to play in the States and to stay home and you know, to be closer to family. It's not a day flight to get home. It's it's a few hours. And so having that opportunity of like, hey, like We're showing younger players like after college, you don't have to be done. Like you don't have to wrap it up because you don't want to move far or maybe those opportunities aren't there. Like you have opportunities here. And so I think that it's really cool to be a part of a league and a team that just wants to, you know, kind of kind of get the word out of like, hey, like it's not over yet. Like we're gonna keep making an impact and we're gonna keep growing the sport. And so I think that's something that really stood out to me and I I love about the franchise. speaker-0: I I love what you're talking about with kind of the whole the holistic view of of not only building a great team on the court but also connecting with the community. And it's something that I've asked a a couple members of of the new teams from the front office staff that I I'd like to ask you is I I guess how do we make it stick? You know, and I I think it's such a passionate f you know, area out there. Like you said, a lot of volleyball roots. You're you've been part of of aer areas that really care deeply about volleyball, have very passionate fan bases. And now needing to almost build that from the ground up, it's a broad question, but how does that how do you s make that stick? speaker-1: You know, I think it comes with two things. I think goal setting in life and in sports and in jobs and in everything is so important. ⁓ and I think for the franchise, like something that we're obviously focused on is having some short term goals and some long term goals. Obviously, short term, we're trying to build a good foundation. We're trying to get established in the area, we're trying to connect with the community, create good and volleyball environments, pull in great players, get great coaches, great people. So I think it starts with the root ⁓ of the short term goals and trying to reach those consistently. And then I think you expand to the long term goals of like, hey, we're trying to have sustainable growth, whether that's revenue, whether that's likes, whether that's socials, whatever that may be, having growth on that side of things and, you know, expanding the visibility and only like continuing to push the league expansion as well of like, hey, we're here, we're here for this year, we're so excited to be a part of the Fran like this league and just letting people know. Like I said, like I think that a lot of that comes down to viewership. Like, I know personally, like, I wasn't here for it, but I know At Nebraska, like we had the stadium match at Memorial Stadium that's at ninety-two thousand and three people. Like that is crazy. Like that's amazing and record breaking. And so, you know, that's allowing for opportunity. And I think when people see the opportunity in volleyball, like I said, with the new franchises, with this league, you know, like that's it's only continuing to grow. And I think it starts with the goals. It starts with the viewership and like Like the viewership at Nebraska, like that's that's also happening in MLV, like the championship weekend, over three million people viewing. Like that's insane. And so I think, like I said, just watching the new opportunity and the new goals that we're setting as a franchise to continue to meet those in hopes of expanding those opportunities. speaker-0: I like that somebody saw the social stats. I love that, especially as a member of the social team. That's great. Allie w what have you gathered about what's being built as the early vision on the court? And we were so excited to see you with with your teammates, but it it looks like a very solid unit from everybody who's been ⁓ signed so far. But what have you made of of the signings to this point? speaker-1: You know, I think what's really, really awesome, like I've said, I've talked a lot about the ownership group, but like it's not for no reason. They're great people, but they also have a great vision. And I think they're very intentional about who they want in players and from the physical, from the past to the attack, to the set to all of those things and all of the silver lining there, like everything, but also from like the the person. Like who are you? Like what's important to you? And that's when I was talking about kind of like When I personally sign, like looking at what I want in a franchise and what they wanted in a player. And I think that they're very intentional with those selections of like, it wasn't like a, okay, bet, we're gonna sign her. Like it was like a wait, who is she? What is she for? What is she about? You know. And so I think when you have an ownership group and you have a leadership group that is so solid, and this goes for anything, that is so solid and cares so much about the branches underneath them. That's when success is built. Because when there's when there's people with good hearts and good intentions at the top, it's only gonna continue to trickle down. And so I think you see that here. And so I feel so confident with like the teammates I'm gonna have and the people I'm gonna be around because I know that they love the sport and they only wanna con continue to help it grow, but they also love me and they care about me, which is, you know, something you want as a player from every aspect of the game, whether that's the physical, the mental, the spiritual, like everything. And so I think just having that is like Awesome. And something I'm really looking forward to. speaker-0: From the physical side, and I believe you're a left handed opposite, correct? And and I've heard a that has a lot of a lot of unique ability to it, a lot of unique look from the other side of the net. What if you could almost tell us, obviously, from from your side of things, what does that h what kind of unique looks does that create? What have you heard from maybe some of the people that you've played across the network? ⁓ man, that angle is so difficult to defend because I've I've heard that that is ⁓ that's a very unique look that you present. speaker-1: I know where you heard that. ⁓ I love Jenny Mancuso. I saw her. I don't even know if I said her first name right. I keep I always mess it up. Like I've talked to her so many times and I always Yeah. But she's awesome. And I heard her talk about me the other day on a podcast. And she was saying she's like, it's so like funky to defend because as a left-handed attacker, like you can hit so many different angles. And I that's always what I've heard like from other people is like speaker-0: Just go GMP, honestly. speaker-1: you just have a different like perception to the game and people like don't know how to defend that as well just because it's like especially for teams like if you don't have a lefty in your gym, it's really hard to compete against one because it's like, okay, they hit the ball differently. Like if the ball gets out to the line, they have an easier time hitting down the line, like then maybe a right handed attacker that's pretty hard to turn, you know? ⁓ and so I've just heard like just having all the intense angles that you're able to have as a left handed attacker is something that's really nice. Like you're able to, you know, go up and hit Two to two, and but then also be able to turn balls down the line. So I think it just allows for like a big range as a player. And so that's something that I feel like I've been told is like I feel like I have pretty good range. Like I can hit certain shots that maybe the average right side might not be able to hit from a certain area. So I would say that's like the coolest thing that I've heard about like defending me. speaker-0: Is it ever difficult for when you're working with a new setter for them to adjust to you and your style if you're hitting from that side? speaker-1: I I think it depends on the setter, you know. I mean, I feel like I've been really blessed to be surrounded by a lot of really, really good setters. ⁓ so it just I mean, I think with anything it takes reps. But I think as a left handed attacker, it's definitely different setting a left handed person than it is setting a right handed person. ⁓ and so yeah, I think like as long as you have like the good connection and chemistry with the setter on and off the court, you're able to kinda get out there and decide what's good for you, what works for you, you know, and that takes trial and error. And so I think like I said, I've had some really good setters, but they're also all the ones that I've been surrounded by are also very growth mindset. So they're also like, Okay, how was that? Was it good? Was it bad? Was it ugly after every rep? And so I think just having people that like are eager to get better and those are the setters I've been around has been really, really helpful for my volleyball career. speaker-0: Speaking of connection and and chemistry, I believe you're reuniting with Taylor Landfair in at MLV NorCal. Have you had any conversations with Taylor and about maybe her experience in the league and just your thoughts on reuniting with her? speaker-1: Yes, I have. I love her. Like, literally love her at the root. Like she is just such a great person. Like I she was so awesome here when I was at Nebraska. Like just a a really good friend. Like we used to make TikToks. Everybody knows about like how I can't dance. And she would like make me make TikToks with her. And I like, Taylor, stop. But it's like funny now. And like I I love her. Like she just really cared about me and was a friend that was super honest with me of like, hey, like This is things I think you get better at. These are like on and off the court. And I appreciate that a lot in a friend. And I think that's that's great. So I really liked her. I actually you know the pictures like in twenty sixteen, like your mom would take of you like jumping up in front of like a like a store or something. Like I remember when I were at the beach as a kid, my mom would be like, Okay, we're on family vacation, everybody go get out there and like jump and like we'll take a photo. And I like sent her when she signed, I sent her I like propped my phone up and I sent her a photo of like me jumping. Like up. And she was like, ⁓ my gosh, Allie. It was so funny. But I'm like that's literally how I feel. I'm so excited to play with her again and I just ugh I can't wait to see her again. Like I'm I'm so excited. speaker-0: I'm so out of touch that I forget twenty sixteen was that long ago and I'd I'd probably still be thinking those trends were in style now. But I mean, now you've had some time to work on the dancing, and now you're all gonna get back together. I mean, I'm I'm expecting to see some stuff on the the MLV NorCal socials. I don't know if you've been aware, but you know, for example, Indy when Taylor was there had one of the better TikTok dancing games out there for last season. So Allie, there's a lot of pressure on you this year. speaker-1: Don't say that because I don't know how much better I've been. I've taken a long break between now and season. speaker-0: There's still time in the off season. You know, you're you don't you have some time. I believe in you. speaker-1: Thank you, thank you. That's what I need. I just need people to believe in me and I'll be great. speaker-0: It's been impressive just f to see all of the signings around the league. And I know you've been one of them, but have you taken stock too of just I mean, all of the news that's coming out for for free agency and just a any thoughts generally on all of the signings, some new look teams, some teams that did very well last year that are bringing in all new pieces and just any overall thoughts about the league signings? speaker-1: Like honestly, it just makes me excited. Like, just to see, like I said, the growth. And the more people that sign, the like the more visibility, the better the league, the more competitive. And so I think it's been really, really cool to see teams re-signing players. Like I know I have fr some friends that have re signed places. I have some friends that have joined the league. I actually have a teammate from my t team in Puerto Rico who joined the league. And I'll get to see her again. And like, you know, that that's a teammate I might have never seen again, depending on, you know, how the stars align and things like that. So I'm really excited. Like I personally this past weekend was with a girl who's signed on a different team and I was like, ⁓ my gosh, like when we play you, we gotta hang out. Like, so I think just like it's cool to see the connections throughout the volleyball world. I mean, a lot of these players I've played in college or I've played growing up. And then also there's international players, which is just so exciting to see the states like trying to, you know, build this just like great forum of just like volleyball. Like just great players, great people, great coaches, and just continuing to push. push the needle, you know. And so I'm I'm just really excited for where the league's headed and the people that are in it. And I think it's only gonna just continue to push the sport forward. But yeah. speaker-0: I l I love the way that you describe it, like a forum of volleyball. That's that's just so unique and I think it's such a great way to describe it genuinely. I think that's that's fantastic. ⁓ beyond so if if the forum of volleyball is kind of the macro, if we zoom in now specifically again back to the NorCal team, Ali by the midpoint of twenty twenty seven or even the end, how would you hope that people like me or people who are watching this league would describe the way that your MLV NorCal team plays on the course? speaker-1: Ooh, that's such a good question. I mean, gosh, I think there's so many things I would hope that you would see. I would hope you see joy, like competitive players, players that are like hungry and eager to grow and are very like humble and you know, they they're grateful to be where they're at, you know. I think you can't be grateful and stressed at the same time. A coach told me that a really long time ago, and I feel like just seeing players that are just like happy where they're at, but thriving and enjoying the opportunity that this league is providing us, you know. I think that's something for me. Like, I'm just like grateful, like, period. Like that is how I feel to be in the States, to be in this league, to have this opportunity. Like, and I think that when you have players that have that mindset, it makes it a lot easier to keep going into the gym and working hard with them. But it also makes the performance better. I I think the mental game is so important. Like if you're working on that, like you're working on the physical game, like you're bound to thrive. And so I think that's gonna be something that I hope those those values are something I hope that people see. But what I think is like So exciting is the fact that like that's the long term. But like what's so cool is like it's just the beginning now. And like you already have people sign like that. ⁓ and I think that's what's gonna be so awesome about just seeing the team grow and you know, hoping that those values are instilled in every player. And I just hope that that's what people see from the outside and the team that just like really does love each other and appreciates where they're at. But yeah. speaker-0: And and based off that question too, and I'm gonna keep us both out of trouble here because I know an announcement is coming s relatively soon, but with I was I would assume a lot of that identity comes from the coach and and I'm just curious again, holistically, is is it difficult or or a a question that you ask when you sign and maybe that staff has not been fully set yet? And obviously, like I said, that's going to be creating a lot of identity. And maybe you know who it is, and that's fine. We we we don't have to say who it is. But is that a factor when when you and your teammates are signing of like, hey, what is the staff gonna look like to be able to help us get there? speaker-1: You know, I mean, I think anyone that's opening a new opportunity, like I've been through the portal, I've gotten recruited. A lot of I mean, all of us have, majority of us, unless you're an international and you didn't play in college or I'm not sure. There's all also opportunities where they're getting recruited and things like that. Like you're asking all the necessary questions, right? Like you're like, What are we living? Where are we living? Who's the coach? Who are my teammates gonna be? You're asking those questions 'cause you care, you know. speaker-0: Is there a Trader Joe's around the block? speaker-1: Next. But I think like asking those questions is good from both sides because we're trying to, you know, be successful. And I think if you're there's certain things, there's another thing a coach has told me, like, if there's certain things you need in order to be successful, ask, you know, like ask questions, like learn, grow. And so I think like, yes, like obviously I asked that question. I think a ton of us probably have. ⁓ but I think at the end of the day, it takes the trust, you know, like the trust in the franchise, like that these people know what they're doing and and I respect them like full heartedly, like. completely respect that they like they have that under wraps. And, you know, I think a big thing is like, yeah, like obviously it could be a risk signing somewhere without a coach. But also it's like that that that is gonna be fluctuate for like we look at the transfer portal. We look at all these things. Like those things fluctuate, you know? And so it's like you have to sign somewhere because you love what they're about and what they're trying to build at the core. Not because of a certain situation or a certain this. Like you have to love where you're at because you could go somewhere and that could be great or it could be terrible. But it's like You have to love the people and what they're about and the vision. And I think that that is what you're getting in us players and that's a genuine heart and that's growth and that's what people want. And so it's like regardless of if we know the answer to that question, if we know what we're getting into from that standpoint, like I feel like you know everything you need to know, you know? speaker-0: Totally. And I think it's I think it's really cool prior to chatting with you, got to talk to a lot of coaches in this league, some new ones that are coming in for next year. And I think I've gotten a huge kick out of everybody has a very different style, it seems like, like a very different personalities. And I think it's so neat that, you know, we they're all merging to get to that common goal of of winning, no matter how that style would be. And I'm curious, you know, with with your journey to this point, has there been a style or or a type of coach, maybe a favorite coach from your past that really Resonated with the way that you like to play? speaker-1: You know, I think I've being a part of d two different college programs, playing overseas, like, you know, kind of it being kind of very different, like my volleyball career is like I always say this, like it's not linear and I love that about it because it's so unique and it I just have appreciated like the journey. Super grateful for it. But anyways, I you know, I've played with different coaches in different playing styles. Like some teams are going faster on offense, some people some people are hitting high balls, like you know. Like things like that, ⁓ definitely have experienced like a lot of different ones. But I think it's been cool. Like I said, I appreciate how different they were. So I think it's really unique that the league is doing that. but yeah, I mean, I know for me, two coaches I felt like that really, really pushed me and pushed me to learn a new system and pushed me to grow are like my two assistant coaches I had in college, like Joshua Walker and Jalen Reyes. Like I just feel those are two coaches that, you know, cared about me ⁓ my growth. ⁓ a lot as a player, also as a person, but I think just like pushed me like well. Like pushed me well and like got to know how to push me well. ⁓ and they you know, they put I they I always joke, but like they found the like niche words to say to me that made sense to me to make me better. Like if that makes sense. And so I think of course those two coaches were just mentors to me and they were, you know, they're really, really important to my development as a player. And so yeah, I mean I think I appreciate how different both programs were and you know, even my journey in Puerto Rico and how different that was. And so I just you know, I respect all of those people and the chances that they took on me and the ways that they pushed me to be well from everyone on the staff. So speaker-0: Could you tell me more about your your journey in Puerto Rico? I'd love to go through some of your career in sort of descending order here, but yeah, Puerto Rico, how was your experience there and and maybe how did you evolve as a player from your experience there? speaker-1: Yeah, I mean, so I like I've taken a lot of time. I had a teammate there, Janae Jamore. She played at Ohio State in Tennessee. Just was the best mentor and teammate to me, I think I've like one of the best I've ever had. Like just was so patient with me, like, you know, moving there and doing it so quickly off of an injury, like that I didn't really, you know, no one planned for that. No one planned for that to happen when it happened and you know That affected my training camp when I was in Omaha and that affected, you know, my last match of my college career. But like I said, like journey wasn't linear, but I really, really appreciate that. But I had such great mentors there that just really, really helped me. Like Jay being one, like just from the ground up, like on the good days, on the bad days, on the missing home, on the days where we were winning and so successful there. Like just like feel like I had really good community there. And, you know, our libero, like she's playing in the States this year. She was a great mentor to me too. Like just loved her. And so I think people like that really, really made my journey so awesome over there. But you know, my mom when I was a kid always used to say, I think there was a sermon she watched one time. And she used to always say, like it had to happen. Like that journey that I had in Puerto Rico in that season like had to happen to me. ⁓ for so many different reasons from a growth standpoint as a player, from a growth standpoint as a person, like For opportunities to live on the beach and to live somewhere I'll probably never get to live again. Or, you know, maybe I do, but it's like how long, you know? ⁓ so just the cool, unique experience that it was. Like, I think I learned so much. And like I said, it it had to happen to me. Like I feel like God put me there at the most perfect time with the the people that I needed. And so I grew a lot. Like I learned different styles of volleyball, you know, different ways of life, how to speak some Spanish. ⁓ but yeah, it was It was awesome and I and I really appreciate all those people and they're people that still keep in contact with me and I just love them and like they were they were there for me through like everything and so yeah. speaker-0: That's awesome. I just f first off I believe Janaisha played for the Fury in twenty twenty four. So that's really cool to have that connection there. Yeah. And then I I I also again I love just you know, we we've we've seen sometimes, you know, just freak injuries happen or, you know, for one reason or another your career does not quite go exactly the way the the athlete may may plan. But to hear you your perspective on it, I think is so great. And I think it's such a a a healthy fantastic mindset that if any young athletes are listening to this, I think is such a great mentality to adopt. And I would also like to give you credit 'cause that's not easy to do. I mean, it's so hard sometimes to just be able to compartmentalize things that happen that don't necessarily fit your plan and can and can just kind of roll with the punches to then, you know, here you are, one of the star signings of MLV NorCal for this season. I think it's it's just such a a great mentality to have. No question in there, just a a statement. But I I ⁓ No, I I I think it's fantastic. And I would like to ask you too. So maybe one of things that you maybe didn't necessarily plan for was your role with Nebraska prior to that. But how did you embrace I guess we'll call it like the the super sub role and being that kind of Swiss army knife off the bench? speaker-1: Yeah, you know, I mean, I think it's like it was very like I didn't really know, you know, sometimes like I'd be going in for a point. Sometimes I gotta be good for a set, or sometimes I'm good for the whole match, or I'm starting, or I'm not, or whatever. but I think, like I said, I've grown to appreciate that. I think something unique about me as a player is like I've had every rule you could possibly imagine on a team. ⁓ and I think that it's really helped me as a person too. Like I and I think that that's like something that I get to say that's like my it factor of like You know, like I got to do that and I got to experience that. And so I think I've grown to appreciate the game from so many different points of view. And that's not something that's like easy to say, you know? Like it's not something that's like easy. Like everyone's competitive, everyone wants to win. But I needed those experiences and they really, really helped me, you know. And so I'm just grateful for them and you know, like that's that's life. Like things don't go to plan, but that's why we trust God. Like that's why we are like, you know what? Like, this isn't about me. This isn't about my success personally, but it's about what I can do for the team. And so I think that was something that I really tried to do well. And you don't do it perfect every day, but I think it's something that I did really, really try to work well at. But yeah. speaker-0: How did you adjust your mindset to always be ready? It it's something I'm I'm constantly fascinated by with some of the elite athletes that we have in this league of just their ability as elite level athletes to come off the bench relatively cold and just come in and and own it. And how did how did you do that for yourself? What mindset did you get in to be in that role? speaker-1: Yeah, you know, this past weekend I was actually at a Big Ten thing for broadcasting. So hoping to do that, pursue that, like with volleyball. and I was talking to this girl. She was there, she played at Ohio State and she was a big time basketball player for their women's basketball team there and just ended up playing in the W for a while, things like that. She was the best six man one year. And she talked about that and how like she went undrafted but had the best career in the W, like all like all like was predicted to be drafted was best six man like just was climbing up the mountain like just gritty no matter what opportunity she got and that's kind of the a way I would describe my experience as well is like it was just like Ali you'd be the best six man. Like obviously with volleyball it's different. But just go when your time when your number is called do your job period. Like and people will respect that. Like and people will remember that. And so that was something that I think that I try to do well obviously for that, but for the team. Like that that was my mentality. And, you know, like I said, it's not easy to have that role. It takes a lot of humility and a lot of trust that like God's got me, you know? And so I think when I went in, I was just like, you know what? Like, let's do it. Like like it was not like a ⁓ okay, well, what about the like it was like, let's do it. Like I got people that care about me behind me. I got my teammates that are like, just go for it. And so I think that was a mentality that I had to work on and You know, I had people that helped me through that and people that pushed me to work on those things like off the court mentally and physically. And I think that that's why I was able to thrive. And it was definitely the people in my corner that made me successful. speaker-0: Pursuing the broadcast career. I mean, you're you're burying the lead here. I got I got an open co-host seat, you know, at some point. Maybe we we bring you in as a as a you know, guest contributor at certain points or or whatever it may be. But no, that's so cool. I've been to the the big ten media days before. They it's they do such an unbelievable job over there. The stadium is or the stadium, the ⁓ studio is so, so cool. ⁓ that's that's so so neat. And I think it's cool that we might have some MLV representation with almost every network 'cause I know Leah Edmund does ⁓ some SEC stuff, so then you know, we'll have everybody at all the different conferences would be so great. But I mean hold I need to ask you more questions about that. So th as a broadcaster, how do you how have you ⁓ I I g I'll say trained, but ⁓ speaker-1: Guys, I could talk so much about this. Like, I love it. Like, it is so fun. Like this past weekend, it was a great experience. Like, I went ⁓ to Chicago, met a bunch of other athletes that are also striving to be broadcasters. And I walked in every single day to the internship and it did not feel like work. And I was like, this is what I want to do. Like, you know, like you just realize so much more. The more reps, the more practice, and like every bit of critical feedback, I was like, give me it. I need to get better. Like I was like trying to be a sponge there. And I just had the best time. And I've, you I've done some internships in the past too. When I was in when I was at Baylor, I did one in Waco with their Fox 44 station. I did some radio at Nebraska. You know, like I've got I worked for my student paper at at Baylor and I was able to get broadcast experience. And so I've been able to do things in the past. And I think this past weekend just like made it so much more clear of like this is what I want. but I had such a good time. And I think like for me, like Some things I'm, you know, working on is like finding a job. So I'm like, if anybody hears this and they want someone to broadcast the game, call me. it's out there, hire me. But ⁓ I would say obviously that, but I think just like in terms of like the broadcast at the root, just like, you know, continuing to like show my personality on cam, ⁓ talking about the sport, I think like obviously coming from a player background, ⁓ and being surrounded by a lot of really, really good coaches. It's really fun to be an analyst, like just to talk about it from like the like technique side of things. And so I really enjoyed that process there of like calling a match and being alongside a play-by-play and talking about like, hey, like, this is what I see here and being able to like I was joking with another player there and I was like, sometimes when I'm calling the match, I feel like I hear like Jalen and Josh Walker in the back of my brain telling me to like wait on my approach, and that's what I'm saying to this girl. And like that's what she did. Well it's helped her score the point. So it's so weird, like just the crossover between like being a player to like calling a match has been really cool. But also like the Big Ten show. I we got to like kind of do an experience with that. And like we sat alongside their their host. And so we talked to him about, you know, like what's going on around the Big Ten. And just like things like that was just so fun for me. And then the social media and the styling and the makeup, like you just see how much goes into it. And for me I'm just like excited. Like I love chatting. I'm super outgoing, extroverted, but ⁓ just like being able to share my personality and then also talk about like the sport that I love. I'm like, that's not a job, that's fun. Like so yeah, I'm I'm hoping to, you know, keep pursuing that. ⁓ but yeah. speaker-0: That's the point, right? Then you do you do this and it doesn't feel like work at all. You you figured out the secret. Yeah. ⁓ that's so cool. That's so cool. We'll have to chat more about it because I I could talk to you forever about the the broadcasting as well. And yeah, now it's it's in the ether now. We'll we'll get you somewhere for sure. That's so cool. Exactly. No and and ⁓ you know the the you're you've you've hit it at every different angle too with the the local TV markets as well. I mean that's yeah, no, that's that's amazing. And and being in those those studios and it and and working with the play by play and speaker-1: Clip that. Clip that. Yeah. speaker-0: ⁓ it's it's awesome. It's awesome. W ⁓ with ⁓ I I've completely gone off track 'cause I wanted to ask you too about your your time with ⁓ with Baylor and how you look back at that. And and obviously you were such a great player with them. ⁓ if I can pull up your stats in ⁓ all all Big Twelve second team in twenty twenty two and twenty twenty four and all big twelve ⁓ rookie team in twenty twenty two. So a very successful career with Baylor, but just I'm curious how you look back on your time there. speaker-1: Gosh, that's a broad question. But I mean, Baylor is like, you know, I've you know, I appreciate both Baylor and Nebraska for such different reasons, but I'm so grateful for the both of them. You know, Nebraska I got to come here like on my last year of eligibility and just like continue to make a name for myself as a player, but also be a part of a program that's just, you know, taking taking those dubs, like we're winning, we're going for it. ⁓ but Baylor, like, when I look back at Baylor, I'm really grateful as well. Just like those people, like. You know, I I joke with my friends there, but I'm like, dang, y'all saw the worst of me. Like y'all saw me at my best, but y'all saw a freshman alley trying to figure it out. And so I'm really grateful for those people. Like that experience really changed me as a person and like helped me grow in my faith and like that's what I'm about. And so to have like that was awesome. And you know, I was plugged into the university in so many different ways and just I mean, I found five roommates like dole me at my wedding one day, you know? Like and so it's like really, really cool to like have those experiences that to look back on like that was where I grew so much that I just, you know, like like I said, like those people sat with me through the good, the bad and the ugly. And like that's something that I'll never forget and I'll always appreciate. speaker-0: I don't think anybody wants to be remembered for freshman year. Like if if that was the the end of my my like perception and if it was just only freshman year me from college, like I would have to apologize to every single person I've ever met. Exactly. The good, the bad, and the ugly is like freshman, sophomore, junior year, honestly. And then by senior year kind of have it figured out. That's in my opinion at least. But I totally get where you're coming from there. And then ⁓ Ali in in twenty twenty-three you were part of the U twenty one national team, and I'm I'm I would like to know more about that experience and also I believe on that team also was like Bree Kelly and Nora Tabrok. And they were on that active roster along with several other ⁓ current pros. What what was it like to be on that team? speaker-1: I mean, just such a blessing. ⁓ just a opportunity I'm so grateful for. Like I got to represent my country, ⁓ and something that, you know, people that I loved and it was such a great opportunity. Like I still talked to the girls that I was with there. And that was a few years ago. And so just is such a unique opportunity, you know. Like I think I had a successful career at Baylor. Like we found ways to work our way to the top as a team, you know, like maybe didn't finish first, but you know, we had people get attention. We had people get recognition, we had coaches get recognition, we had people you know, people knew who we were. Like we were a team that would come grab you when you least expected it too. ⁓ and so I like respected that about that experience. And I think the way that I grew there really, really helped me, you know, get to that point ⁓ of like getting be like getting an opportunity to play on that team and, you know, going to the tryout that was just so competitive and some of the best volleyball I've probably ever played to. and yeah, like just great coaches, great leadership, like had a teammate from Baylor that was also on the team, which was really cool. But yeah, it was great. Like we got to go experience a different country and it was honestly it's kind of funny. ⁓ my mom was talking to me a while back, but when I was at that experience, I was kinda like, Maybe I will play overseas at some point. Like I just think like God will put me overseas, maybe at some point. And then I ended up going overseas and we were in Mexico. Well, when I was in Puerto Rico, like it was the same vibe of like people speak Spanish. Like obviously the countries are very different. ⁓ but like people spoke Spanish, which is like cool because I was like, ⁓ my first time ever like experiencing like a experience of like playing volleyball outside of the country. Like they spoke Spanish too. So it's like cool. But ⁓ obviously like I said, very different countries but really cool to experience the both of them. ⁓ but yeah it was it was awesome and I'm just something that I look back at that I'm like, dang, I got to do that, you know? Like that's just so cool. speaker-0: Was it Dan Fisher who was the head coach and and if we talked about coaching earlier in the different styles, I mean he was an intimidating interview, so I don't know how he was for you all as as a coach, but what what was his style like for you all? speaker-1: Yeah, I mean he I remember there was when we were at the like ⁓ tryout to make the team, there was a ball that got like shanked like a few courts down. Like I don't even know. Like there was a net that we had next to our court and there was like a ball that got shanked. And he was like he stopped the drill at one point. And I I remember her and I respect this completely. This was like when I realized like, okay, we're like in the USA gym, like this is for real. Like we're going for it. He was like, That ball got shanked. Why didn't no one go for it? And we're all looking at each other like into the net. Like it went into the side net. Like there's no way we're getting like we're just being for real, like there's no way if the ball is still in the air, you go get it. And we were like, shoo he's right. And so like the play just went from like already amazing to like insane. And so I just think like he has like a great philosophy as a coach of like he was pushing us really, really hard. ⁓ and he wasn't afraid to be like straight up with us. But he was also like very respectable. Like speaker-0: But if that ball's in the net, you need to be in the net. speaker-1: Tried to build relationships with us, found ways for our team to, you know, we were only there for two weeks and finding ways for our team to connect, which I thought was really, really good in a coach, you know. Finding ways for the team to know each other beyond the court, which I I really respected. And I think that he had a really good philosophy. But yeah, it was it was funny because I'm like, dang, that was the first coach that I was like, shoot, he's like, he's like really good. We're gonna get pushed, y'all. Like we're gonna get better. ⁓ and I think I really, really did get better from that experience. speaker-0: Yeah, th they they have their work cut out for them with only two weeks, like you said, max to to get everybody ready. So I I do not envy that job at all. But no, that's it it always seems like everybody comes out on the other side having learned so much, learning how to play in that system and and ⁓ I'm glad that that was a positive experience for you as well. And Ali, I w I I wanna get all the way down to the hopefully what is the ground floor, but you played with ⁓ Houston Skyline, I believe was your club, a very good and and high high profile club. and and just I guess my two pronged question for you is is what would be your advice to young girls navigating the club scene? And then the second one is just your favorite club memories? speaker-1: Well, my team won nationals when I was fifteen. So that was probably the coolest experience just because we had some things like off the court that happened that were really, really hard for a lot of players that just I felt like our team sat so well with each other through those experiences. And I think that we played for something bigger than ourselves. And I think it was really cool to see a team succeed that wanted it for each other and ⁓ for each other and for each other in our worst moments. And I think that that was really, really cool for me and just taught me a lot at such a young age about the importance of a team sport and like backing up your teammates and being loyal to them and respecting them. And I just I'm really, really grateful for that. Especially, you know, those experiences when you're a kid, like they shape you for the rest of your life. And so it was really cool. I I thought that's probably my favorite ⁓ memory. ⁓ but I would say, gosh, there's so many advice from the physical side, like learn to play every single position ⁓ period. The better you are, the more versatile you are the ⁓ the more valuable you are to a team. ⁓ and this is something Andy Jackson has actually said to our team a a lot, but ⁓ when I was at Nebraska. But volleyball like isn't who you are, it's just what you do. And that's something that's her quote. So take it from her. I didn't say it. But that I think I wish like kids knew, you know, I think when you're trying to grow and you're trying to get better and you're whether it's worrying about making the top team, whether it's worrying about, you know, getting a scholarship, whether it's worrying about getting USA experience at that age, like you're kind of just trying to climb, climb, climb, climb and find your it factor that separates you from the rest. ⁓ and the biggest thing I would say is just keep pushing yourself, like work hard, dream big, go for it. ⁓ but realize that it's not who you are. Like you're not your sport. You're not how many likes you get on social media. You're not your followers. You're not this like you're a child of God. Like you are a person. Like God loves you. You are like you're just You're not volleyball, period. And you know, I think that's something that kinda wish I would have done a better job at at that age. But yeah, that's probably what I would say. speaker-0: Well, I would imagine that age you were still growing up in was it Sugarland, Texas, I believe? And what was that? What what was your life outside of volleyball like growing up in that area? speaker-1: Yeah, it was great. I mean, my family and I are really, really close. So it's really, really cool to just, you know, be there obviously growing up with your family. And me and my sister and I are on the same age. So just like experiencing like high school with her for a year and, you know, like being around her. And then obviously like friends. Like I had friends in high school that I like literally grew up with since birth. Like we were like neighbors, like saw each other through everything. ⁓ so that's really cool. Like I grew up in the same house, like my entire life and I just I love that about my like experience with like life and ⁓ just the people that I met there and I I love going home. I'm such a Texan at heart. Like anyone that knows me knows that I'm like, Yeah, I'm from Texas, y'all. Like I'm just very Texan, so I really, really loved Sugarland and the people there and just the community, but yeah. speaker-0: feel like you're an anomaly because most people I know from Texas like only stay in Texas and you've been everywhere, you know, Puerto Rico, Nebraska and then you know, n now up to Norcao. Like you're you're more well traveled than a lot of Texans I've met. So g you know, not not necessarily the the normal Texan from what I've experienced. speaker-1: Yeah, no, that's funny because I remember when I was a kid, like er when I was a kid, but also when I got in the transfer portal, my dad was like, You're gonna have a hard time leaving Texas, huh? And I was like, Yeah. Just 'cause like I just love this I love the South, like I love the food, I love the people, like I'm the true Texan. My grandparents like have land with like horses like the whole nine yards. ⁓ so yeah, it was definitely hard to leave, but like when you're going to Nebraska, it's kinda like ranchland farmland. Similar. ⁓ Midwest, beautiful still. And then Puerto Rico, it's like, okay, it's a beach vacation for four months. Like no one's saying no to like, come on, y'all. speaker-0: Like It's not a it's not a bad tr change. speaker-1: Yeah, not a bad place to be stu like to be playin'. speaker-0: It w it was funny. ⁓ prior to this job, I I spent a stint right out of college at a ⁓ at a ⁓ local TV station in Tyler and in in Lufkin, Texas. And people picked out very quickly that I was not from around there. And it was so funny. I remember one time I was covering ⁓ football. I think I was at Chapel Hill and I showed up. This is like my first week on the job and I had like I'm from New England, so I had like the board shorts. And like the colorful polo. And I got some looks of like, Who is this kid? It's just so funny. So it's very and I learned quickly, like, okay, when you get the cowboy boots, there's a certain way that you have to walk. Otherwise people can know that you're not from there. So I I learned it all, but still s you know, some of the nicest people and and some of the best barbecue you could ever find. speaker-1: Hey, yeah. That's that's that's so that's so true. speaker-0: Allie, it's been a blast to talk to you. And w the way we like to end these is to have a little bit of fun. So what what I like to ask the players as we kind of kind of wrap up these these chats is a couple of rapid fire questions that have not very much to do with volleyball, but hopefully let us know a little bit more about who you are as a person. And ⁓ yeah, we just gotta have some fun with it. So no pressure, but it's gotta be the first thing that comes to your mind. Don't think about it too much, and we're just gonna go down the list. Rapid fire. Are you ready, Allie? Perfect. speaker-1: Already. speaker-0: First question of the rapid fire questions. What is the last TV show or movie that you watch? Can say book too. speaker-1: ⁓ I'm reading this book. ⁓ my gosh, it's by Jenny Allen. It's like called Get Out of Your Head. So I think that's that's the last book I've read. Maybe. Ooh, Pilates. I Pilates. I've been doing it with my teammates. speaker-0: Current hot What is your pet peeve? speaker-1: Ooh. Slow walkers. speaker-0: It's a great one. I was just in the air an airport recently. Yes, absolutely. ⁓ what is your last day on earth meal? speaker-1: Texas Roadhouse period. Like anything there. Yeah, pre pure Texan. speaker-0: From the from the Texan to say Texas Roadhouse. Okay. All right. Who Allie, who would you want to play you in the movie of your life? speaker-1: I would probably say everybody tells me that I look like Blake Lively and she's like she's she's slays, so I would probably say her. speaker-0: Ali, what is the fictional world that you wish you could live in? speaker-1: My gosh. Like it does a cartoon world work? speaker-0: Yeah, absolutely. speaker-1: Skylar makes fun of me, but I love the movie Inside Out. speaker-0: It's no, that's great. That's great. We did get different little cartoon alleys running around your head. That's one of the better answers I've had so far. That's really, really good. I love that. ⁓ Allie, if you weren't a volleyball player, what would you be doing? speaker-1: Like what's going on in my head? I would say maybe like s my sister's a swimmer, so I'd probably be a swimmer. speaker-0: And last question for you, Allie, very simple, but what makes you happy? speaker-1: ⁓ I would say my family, my community, my boyfriend, my friends and Jesus. I feel like I have just such great people and relationships in my life that just pour into me and make me so happy that I just appreciate. And so I would say that makes me the happiest. speaker-0: Well, Allie, it it's been an absolute pleasure to chat with you here on the Set Six podcast. You've been fantastic. We cannot wait to see you on the court with NorCal. We can't wait to talk to you more in the future. Again, now you've told us that a ⁓ that you're a media pro. It's it's unfortunate for you, but you now have to say yes to every interview request. That's just that's just what goes along with it. I'm sorry. But we're we we will look forward to chatting with you more ⁓ in the future. But thank you so much for ⁓ being with us here on the set six podcast. We appreciate it. speaker-1: Of course, thank you. And if you can follow MLB NorCal on all socials, reach out to our website and then also follow me, Ali.check on everything. But yeah, thank you. speaker-0: So much fun. A huge thank you once again to Ali and the team over at NorCal. So much good stuff in that interview, I thought. You know, one of the ones too that's so great is is sh is she said goal setting, short term and long term goals. And that short term ⁓ i is kind of sometimes the root of of your long term goals. I think sometimes people look at it in reverse. They think the long term are the roots and then the short term is is the branches if you're envisioning a tree. And so, ⁓ you know, to keep that that terminology going. I I think flipping it is i is interesting. I wanna try to do some of that in my own ⁓ my own life, maybe, you know, trying to some apply that outside of volleyball in into just daily life, I think is great. ⁓ you know, she referred to it as the the forum of volleyball. I think that's a great way to look at it. ⁓ lots of always great discourse on and off the court. And I th I thought too, even just her talking about having having played every role on a team before she really got going in her pro career has helped her. And that being her it factor, I think that's a a a an awesome perspective once again. ⁓ appreciating the game from different points of view. And then the last quote that just really stuck with me is when she said, Volleyball isn't who you are, it's what you do. You're not your sport, you're not your likes on social media. You know, again, I I think like we talked about with coaches, right? When we're chatting with coaches on this podcast, how everybody kind of all goes for the same goal, but they come at it from different perspectives. I feel like I get that with Ali, where maybe that's not the same way that another player looks at it. Maybe another player looks at it like, no, I am volleyball. This is me. I need to be all in for it. But I don't think there's a right and a wrong way to approach it. And I think it's so great to hear from someone who views it as this is still really important to me, but it's not necessarily going to be my ultimate defining factor. If you remember back to episode one with Morgan Hence, ⁓ she said it had a similar message of, you know, there is more to me than just my sport. And I think that's a healthy ⁓ sports psychology way to look at it, at least from my opinion, of having that healthy separation. ⁓ because I can't imagine too. I mean, if you just Lived and died by your good and bad performances. That can't always be so healthy. But maybe in the long run it helps you be a better player. At least I'd like to think so. I have never been an athlete on even remotely that level, so I couldn't tell you. But I I I think that's the the right way to look at it from ⁓ from Ali's perspective, and I think it's so cool that she shared that with us. So again, thank you to Allie. We're looking forward to going up to NorCal and also looking forward to having them announce a team name and a team coach ⁓ coming soon. Look, I'm gonna stop saying that I'm hearing that ⁓ you know, team name and and branding and coach announcements are coming because every time I say it and every time I hear that one is coming coming pretty soon, gets pushed back like another week. So I'm gonna stop saying that that's coming really soon. ⁓ but at the same time I also know they're coming pretty soon. So ⁓ let's transition to wrap up the show. Hey, what I'm up to is is a lot of travel coming up for MLV, which I'm really excited about. We just got word that Might be going to Pittsburgh on the fifteenth ⁓ to and I'm gonna leave the details to the side a little bit on this one, but looking to catch up with some players and do another live episode, which it seemed like everybody really liked last time. So love to keep bringing those to you. Those are so much fun. ⁓ and like I said, it's always a little bit easier when you're you're not across the screen from someone else and can kind of read the social cues, be in person, and also just kind of chat with the athletes afterwards is so much fun. So we've got that on the fifteenth ⁓ coming up, hopefully. And then still planning out our our trip to Wren, our great partners at Wren. and going through ⁓ some of the y uniform updates, upgrades and that process for twenty twenty seven. Really excited about that. That'll be ⁓ in McKinney, Texas. And ⁓ so those are those are the trips on the mind. And then, you know, what else I'm up to? I I was like hopefully a lot of you too and and getting really invested in ⁓ the World Cup s for for soccer. and that was a that was a bummer with the way the US went out, but I got to watch in a really cool place in Over here in ⁓ Southern California called Old World, which is I've never experienced ⁓ sports really like that where I mean yeah, it's it's kind of ⁓ calling it a bar is simplified, but it's it's sort of like an indoor outdoor setting. ⁓ and then just ha I think having a bunch of people together rooting for that really was like, ⁓ cool, this is what this sport can be and it makes you th it makes your mind, at least mine, run to ⁓ volleyball especially in ⁓ different V and L and worlds matches I've been fortunate enough to see and then, you know heck even if we bring in the the sold out crowds in Nebraska and and and then to o you know the Omaha supernovas and ⁓ it it's always so great to just be in those environments, whether you're at the game or at a watch party where you know, you have so many people cheering for a common goal I always love and it makes you think about how you can how you can get that more ⁓ I don't know, more sustainably than just w one time a year or this in this case, one time every four years. Also that it's funny, ⁓ I'm gonna get myself in some hot water here probably, but you know i in our in every every area it's always so important to have get your get the names right, right? I mean it's something that you're I'm I'm always trying to be better at, especially with a lot of tough international names. My me myself having a a weird name, I've sort of just come to a point of acceptance where whenever I meet new people, I'm just like, Yeah, just call me Sev or, you know, it's it's they're like, ⁓ like the like the bank or like Snape. I'm like, Yeah, sure. Wha w w whatever one works for you, it it's all all good with me. I've reached the point of acceptance. I think it's funny with ⁓ Christian Polisic or or Polisic, and that I'm illustrating my point right here. I think I mean for such a well established player, for i i've heard his name I think a million different ways. ⁓ Pulisic, Polisic, ⁓ you know, ⁓ it just th the whole way through I feel like you get every single ⁓ version of his name from even from different commentators too. I just th thought that's always so weird. I feel like there'd be like one specific pronunciation, but anyway, getting off topic. ⁓ That that was ⁓ that was a the World Cup experience, but I think it's still cool to kinda ruminate on how maybe we can bring some of that ⁓ that world togetherness, for lack of a better term, to volleyball. And then ⁓ yeah, guys, I'm on a terrible string of of w movies. I mean, I w I watched Fallen, which is terrible, Cloverfield Paradox, which I love Ten Cloverfield Lane, but ⁓ my gosh, Cloverfield Paradox was not it. And then last night I went to go see The Death of Robin Hood, which started so well and then got to the end and ⁓ man, I I was so unhappy with the way that it ended. It's like w roller coaster. Awesome, bad. So I'm on a bad string of movies, so I'm gonna need some for the flights to Pittsburgh and to Texas. ⁓ so if you got any recommendations, hit me up. But for now, ⁓ the main thing I want to tell you is thank you for listening to episode twelve of the Set Six podcast. We really appreciate it. Like I said, ⁓ it doesn't happen without our producers, Jenna, Mike, and Amy. Thank you so much for all you do. And it also does not happen without you, our audience. We want to keep getting you involved. So if you want to reach the show, please comment or submit your mailbag questions. You can email me, that's Severin S E V R I N at ⁓ L V B dot com. Or as always, leave a comment and we will get ⁓ you know you into a mailbag again talking about bringing Jenna back on and getting her perspective. Or also I'm happy to answer your question as well about anything. And next week we're gonna have either Leah Edmund or Lauren Bertolacci. I haven't figured out which one is going to be, but i either way it's gonna be a good one. And ⁓ always, always so great to talk to both them. So ⁓ we're looking forward to that. And until then, we'll ⁓ we'll leave it there. Thank you so much again for listening to the Set Six Podcast, the official podcast of Major League Volleyball. I am Sever Laddesteen.