1) You almost didn't come to Fredonia. In fact, you called Coach Braun one day saying you weren't coming, and then the next day called back to say you were. Can you take me through that process?
My Fredonia visit was the day before my [College B] visit and I left Fredonia very impressed because I did not to expect to like it as much as I did. Coach Braun really left an awesome impression on me and spending the whole day with him gave me a great feel about who he is as a person and a coach.
My [College B] visit was a lot different, I had a very impersonal visit. Instead of spending the day with the coach like I have at other schools, I was put into a tour group. I did not get much time to talk to the coach and he/she did not get to know me that well either. I did not leave with the same feeling as I did when I left Fredonia.
I spent a long time thinking about what I should do and talked to my family often about what I was feeling. I knew deep down Fredonia is where I wanted to go, but everybody else around me was pushing me to go to [College B]. My biggest fear was that I did not want to disappoint or upset anybody and I was nervous about "making the wrong decision".
When I initially committed to [College B] and told Coach Braun I was not coming to Fredonia, I was immediately upset. I had a hard time telling my family I was going to [College B] because I was extremely unhappy about it. I thought a lot that night and I knew that I should not be going to [College B] if I am that upset about it. It should be something I am excited about.
I talked to my parents about what I was feeling and they told me they will support me no matter what my choice was. I was trying to please others around me more than myself, but I realized I am the one who has to go not those around me. I am very excited that I am coming to Fredonia and I feel that I made the decision that I thought was right for me.
2) You played for one of the top high school teams in the state (Baldwinsville). How has that
Playing for Baldwinsville has prepared me for playing in college by making me mentally tougher, competitive and a hard worker.
A lot of alumni expected us to hold the reputation they helped make for Baldwinsville and at times it could be a lot of pressure. I have been put into a lot of situations where I mentally had to keep it together and just help my team be successful. It was difficult at first to become mentally tough, but with the constant pressure from my coach, teammates, alumni and family I was able to learn how to deal with difficult situations on the court.
Which is one of the most important skills that has prepared me for college volleyball. My coach (Mary Jo Cerqua) really taught me to be a competitive athlete. As a team we all really had to want it in order to fight and not give up. The competitiveness has helped me push myself to perform and to not give up in difficult situations because as a team our mind set was we were not leaving the court unless we win. This mentality had helped me become a better teammate and be even more motivated to win a championship in college.
Playing at Baldwinsville has pushed me to my limits as an athlete and showed me what I am capable of doing and knowing that without working hard and practicing hard that I was not helping myself or my teammates get better. This really prepared me for college volleyball to help me work hard to achieve the goals I have for volleyball and to help contribute to my team's goals.
A lot of alumni expected us to hold the reputation they helped make for Baldwinsville and at times it could be a lot of pressure. I have been put into a lot of situations where I mentally had to keep it together and just help my team be successful. It was difficult at first to become mentally tough, but with the constant pressure from my coach, teammates, alumni and family I was able to learn how to deal with difficult situations on the court.
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| Mary Jo Cerqua, girls volleyball coach at Baldwinsville |
Playing at Baldwinsville has pushed me to my limits as an athlete and showed me what I am capable of doing and knowing that without working hard and practicing hard that I was not helping myself or my teammates get better. This really prepared me for college volleyball to help me work hard to achieve the goals I have for volleyball and to help contribute to my team's goals.
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| Rachel, her brother, Dave, and parents Julie and Jeff |
3) You also played with our current captain, Paulina Rein, in high school. You were a freshman when she was a senior. Can you tell me about any memories you have of her?
What I remember the most about Paulina was that she was a great leader. She pushed her teammates when they needed to be pushed and was always cheering on those around her. She was very welcoming when I got moved up to varsity and I always admired her as a player and leader.
I watched her play in states her senior year and I remember her running across the court to pick up balls and helping her teammates stay in the game. The coaches at Baldwinsville all loved coaching Paulina and reference the things she did as a player and leader and I wanted to be that kind of person as well.
I watched her play in states her senior year and I remember her running across the court to pick up balls and helping her teammates stay in the game. The coaches at Baldwinsville all loved coaching Paulina and reference the things she did as a player and leader and I wanted to be that kind of person as well.
4) Our players write in journals here about their goals, and I gave you a journal to write in about yours during your recruiting visit. Your response was impressive: "My goal is not only to play, but help be a part of a championship. Even if I am not on the court I want to be a part of a championship and help in any way that I can." There's a lot of selflessness in that statement. Where do you get that from?
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| The Aiello family |
Being able to be a part of a team that is very close and all share the same common goal made me realize that I could not be selfish. As a team we knew what we wanted to accomplish and only thinking about myself would not help contribute to our goal.
I knew I had to work hard in order to start and I realized what made starters who they are is the players on the other side of the court (non-starters). When the players that may not start are working hard trying to take a starters spot it only makes a starter work harder and get better. I can help prepare those players on the court by working hard and giving them competition and putting them in certain situations, so they are prepared for whatever happens.
Through personal experience I saw this and realized it and it can not be all about myself when I am on a team because I am trying to help my team achieve the goals we set. If I am on the court or not I feel that there is a way I can always be a part of what is going on.
I knew I had to work hard in order to start and I realized what made starters who they are is the players on the other side of the court (non-starters). When the players that may not start are working hard trying to take a starters spot it only makes a starter work harder and get better. I can help prepare those players on the court by working hard and giving them competition and putting them in certain situations, so they are prepared for whatever happens.
Through personal experience I saw this and realized it and it can not be all about myself when I am on a team because I am trying to help my team achieve the goals we set. If I am on the court or not I feel that there is a way I can always be a part of what is going on.