GRAND FORKS, N.D. - This is the second in a four-part series that will feature a Q&A session with the four senior members of the 2009 University of North Dakota Volleyball team. The second senior to sit down with FightingSioux.com was middle hitter Amanda Polzin (Hutchinson, Minn.). Polzin started half of the team's 32 matches a season ago helping the team to a 24-8 overall record. She ranked third on the squad with 294 kills has ranked among the team leaders in blocks during both of her seasons at UND.
What are the biggest changes you saw from the team during spring practices?
"The biggest changes I have seen in the team are positional growth. We are becoming much more competitive in our positions. We have become much more consistent defensively and offensively."
What were the biggest adjustments the team had to make working with the new coaching staff?
"The biggest adjustments the team had to make were mostly (dealing with) the different types of coaching style. We were taught different forms that contradicted what we were being coached in the past, so getting used to that was tough at first. Now it seems more natural."
What were a few things you all learned from the new staff and what area of instruction did they emphasize the most in order for you all to become a better team?
"Something I learned from coach Hardee that he says on a weekly basis is 'Every ball is an opportunity.' I guess the more he said it, the more it put it into perspective for me, that we need to treat being in the gym with respect and always strive to get better."
What were the advantages of having the new coaching staff in place for the spring as opposed to starting in the summer?
"I am so thankful that we were able to begin the spring season with coach. This way, we had the opportunity to get to know each other as a team and the different styles we all portray. Being able to compete some this spring also was beneficial, rather then if coach came in the summer, since we would not have had that opportunity before the fall season."
In what ways have you seen the team come together this spring whether that be improved play on the court or camaraderie off the court?
"Coach is really big on volunteer work and giving back to the community. We have done more to represent the team through out the community as well. We have always been a close team. We try to be good leaders towards one another as well as being a good friend. I have noticed that we have placed more accountability on one another which in my opinion is a great thing. We hold each other to a higher standard of success and that is what we should expect."
The upcoming season is going to be completely different from the transition season from a year ago. What will be your focus this summer in order to maintain what you learned in the spring as you build towards the 2009 season in the Great West Conference?
"The expectations of the team have changed looking to the future and how competitive we will be in our conference. We expect to compete and do well, and that is something we are very capable of accomplishing."
What has you most excited about your senior season?
"I have been looking forward to my senior season since I first started playing volleyball, it is the end of what I have been trained (to play) and the beginning of what the classroom has taught me. I must admit that I will be sad when its over, but until then I am looking forward to what we can do as a team and what I can do as a leader."
