Aug. 16, 2002

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Senior Cally Plummer, Outside Hitter for Carolina, recently sat down with USCSports.com to talk about how the preseason was going for the Gamecock Volleyball program.

What is the best thing about two-a-day practices?

“Seeing people improve everyday. I think everybody has improved with each session. We’ve all improved.”

Who has surprised you the most?

“Nicole [Miller] has surprised me a lot. The entire incoming freshmen class has been great. They’ve done a great job overall and have changed the dynamics of the gym and of the practices. They are making us a better team already.”

“The newcomers have been very surprising both on and off the court. They’ve done a great job stepping in so far and adjusting to the schedule. I look forward to playing with them this year.”

What can we look forward to this year from the senior class? With six seniors, Carolina has a large senior class. What can we expect from this year?

“I think anytime anyone comes to a match this year, they will see a team playing like it is their last match. The seniors all want to play and win. You’re going to see a lot of intensity and a lot of people of focused on winning a championship.”

You had surgery in the off-season. How is the rehab going?

“It’s definitely a process. There have been good days and there have been some bad days. But we have a great support staff and right now I’m feeling great and ready to go.”

What’s your goal this season, for you personally and for the team?

“The team goal has obviously been set high. A national championship is not out of the question. We want to get the SEC Championships ring, win the SEC Championship and the NCAA Championship. Personally, I want to do whatever it takes to get my team there.”

You’ve been named All-SEC three times. Are you aiming for All-American this year?

“I’m just looking to get my team to the next level. I’ve been blessed to be named All-SEC all three years, but we still haven’t gotten that team goal yet. All personal accolades aside, I just want to reach that team goal and have the team succeed.”

What are fans going to see out of new Assistant Coach Jason Hou? What has he brought to the team?

“I think it’s hard to see how much the coaches really do at matches; you’d have to come to a practice to see that. Jason has added so much this year to the team and hopefully it will reflect that in the matches on defense. He has brought some great drills and has made us a better team defensively. The new drills and the intensity he has brought, along with a new, fresh face in the gym. The intensity that he brings with him shows that he’s always giving 100% and getting us to do the same.”

What are you giving up for this team this season for motivation?

“Last year I gave up eating bread during the season, but I don’t think we’ll be doing that this year. Coming in here and working as hard as we do is a sacrifice in itself. We work extremely hard and spend a lot of time in the gym preparing ourselves to be the best team we can be. It takes a lot of time and a lot of effort. It’s not going to be about what we give up for the team this year; it will be about what we will give to the team this year.”

What will you give?

“I am going to go out and give 110% everyday. I just want to help get as many wins for the team as we can and hopefully get a ring at the end of the season. “

What’s one of the funniest things that has happened in preseason so far?

“I think the new freshmen, young and innocent, have brought some laughter. “

Who do you look forward to playing the most?

“When we go to Michigan State, I’m looking forward to playing up there and also being able to go home and have my family come watch me play. I’m also looking forward to our match with Long Beach State and facing one of the top teams in the nation. Of course, I always look forward to playing Clemson and I’m also looking forward to our matches with Florida this year. But we aren’t concentrating on Clemson or Florida right now. We are taking everything one match at a time. “

You can check out Cally Plummer play in the Gamecock’s home opener against Arizona State in the Carolina Classic. The match begins on September 6th at 7:00 p.m. at the Volleyball Competition Facility.