Jodi Steffes Answers Your ‘Ask The Tigers’ Questions

Oct. 4, 2001

Below are Jodi Steffes’ answers to the selected questions that you submitted this past week to “Ask The Tigers”. ClemsonTigers.com would like to thank you for all of your questions submitted. We would also like to thank Jodi for her time and sincere effort with “Ask The Tigers”.

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Jodi, What do the Tigers need to do to improve on the difficult start in the ACC?Matt Oliver Clemson, SC

Matt, Each game we have been improving, even though it might not look like it if you look at our record. The main thing we need to improve is confidence. We have so many talented players on this team, and we just need to realize we are just as good if not better than these other ACC teams. Yes, it has been a difficult start, but it is early, and we need to focus on the games coming up rather than the games already played. I have the utmost confidence in this team, no matter what our record is.

Jodi, As the lone returning senior starter, how has your role on the team changed since you were a starter as a freshman?Becky Freeland Columbia, SC

Dear Becky, When I was a freshman, my role was to fill in the shoes of former tiger player Jill Heavy. They needed a different look on the court, and I helped bring that being left handed. My first two years I was the second or third option for our offense because of two great players, Alison Coday and Cindy Stern. During last year and this season, I have had to step up to the challenge of being the “go-to” player just like Alison and Cindy did. So in other words, I was able to be a follower for my first two years and now I have had to step up and be the leader and set a good example for the under classmen of the team.

Jodi, In your four years, who do you think has been Clemson’s biggest rival on the volleyball court?Beth Berry Athens, GA

Beth, I think I can speak for every team here at Clemson when I say USC is the volleyball team’s biggest rival. The atmosphere of that game is so incredible, and the fans are so supportive. Whether we play here or at USC, there is usually standing room only. If I had to pick another team other than USC, I would say Georgia Tech. I don’t know about the rest of the volleyball team, but they are my biggest rival in the ACC conference.

Jodi, What made your decision to come play for the Tigers? We’re glad you’re here! Go Tigers!Beth Pullum Anderson, SC

Beth, Thanks! I really appreciate that. I am glad I am here too. I think one main reason I chose to come to play for Clemson was the coaching staff. Jolene has done a great job here and she really has turned this program around. I felt that her personality and style of coaching was just what I was looking for. Another reason why I chose to come here was the support the volleyball team got from the community. The fans that we get at games are unbelievable. They are like my family away from home.

Jodi, I am in high school and would like to play college volleyball, what kind of off-season conditioning program do y’all go through every year?Amy Sceff Myrtle Beach, SC

Dear Amy, One thing that I do in the off-season that I never did in high school is weight lifting. If you start that now, you will be ahead of 90% of the other girls that want to play college ball. Another thing the team does is distance running and sprints. The more you do of that, the more easier it will make your transition into the college level. For example, with distance we run 3 miles about twice a week. As for sprints, we do more of those in pre-season and on our own in the summer. We do 50 yd and 100 yd sprints under a specific time. All of that running really increases your energy level and makes you feel less tired while playing. One other thing you might want to think about are plyometric drills, such as box jumps and jump roping.

Jodi, Is there much of a difference in the popularity of volleyball in the southeast versus other places in the country like the Midwest?Ben Dutch Atlanta, GA

Ben, I definitely think that there is a difference. It seems like areas such as Illinois offer more volleyball club opportunities and many college vb players come from the Midwest area. If you look at the Clemson Volleyball roster, we have 3 girls from the Illinois area (another one from Illinios is coming next year), and 1 girl from Ohio. I remember my freshman year, we had 4 girls from Illinois, 3 girls from St. Louis, and two from Ohio. If that isn’t a Midwest team, then I don’t know what you would call it. However, the sport has become so much more popular that vb athletes are being highly recruited everywhere, especially in California. The popular areas in the Southeast that college players come out of are mainly Atlanta and parts of North Carolina.

Jodi, Can you talk about the importance of a good setter to a volleyball team? I have heard coaches refer to the setter as the quarterback on the volleyball court.Terry Aaron Clemson, SC

Terry, Coaches do refer to the setter as the quarterback of the team. Aside from the coach, they make the decision as to what offense to run or what would work the best against certain teams. Also, like quarterbacks, the setters have to be a part of the play every single time. They are the backbone of the team. If you don’t have a good setter, you don’t have a good offense. That is why we are lucky to have setters like Jessi Betcher and Breezy Ambort.

Jodi, We just wanted to say congratulations because it looks like you are doing awesome as usual!! But, we were wondering if you ever regretted going so far from home and leaving your two amigos from PCHS? Love ya Jodi,Kara and Flan Chicago, IL

Flan and Kara, Thanks you two. The only reason I regret going so far is because I don’t see you guys as much as i use to in highschool. You two are the greatest and i miss you both. It looks like you both have been having a great season. Good luck to the rest of the season. And Flan, you know, emails go both ways (just kidding).