Five Questions With Katie Mann
Q: How did you become involved with the sport of
volleyball?
A: Basically, I tripped up the stairs. I played soccer at
a high level from the time I was 5 until I was about 13. Then one
day I was running up a set of marble stairs and I tripped. It was a
really bad knee injury, you can still see the scars. Once I went
through recovery and basically learned how to walk again, I went
back to soccer but was dropped to a lower level. One of the coaches
suggested I try out for volleyball. I took a ton of personal
lessons before the tryouts for this under-14 team. The coach really
saw potential in me. I made that team, I got the one spot open, and
I loved it. And that's where I am today.
Q: So you didn't ever think such a fluke accident would
lead to so much success?
A: No, not at all. I think that's life, though,
there's not a set path for you. You just have to take an
opportunity and go with it. My mom always told me, ‘when one
door closes, another one opens' and I think that's true. When a new
opportunity comes along, you have to motivate yourself and have
that drive to go with it and have an open mind.
Q: Fast forward eight years, and you're one of two Stags
to have 1,200 kills and 300 blocks and will graduate in the top ten
at Fairfield in almost every category. How does that feel?
A: It feels awesome. Honestly, I never even imagined this
all happening. It's a cool feeling to know that you've worked hard
for four years and will now be recognized for it.
Q: You've played in not only every match, but every set
since you've been at Fairfield. How do you do it?
A: It's difficult at times. But I set personal
goals for myself and for the team, and I have high expectations and
it keeps me focused. I guess I just have that work ethic, I always
want to improve myself, but I always want to help the team improve
as well. I want to be able to lead the team and I just want to be
on that court and be there for everyone.
Q: You've talked about taking advantage of new
opportunities and graduation is approaching. What lies ahead for
you?
A: Living so far away from home in California, which
hasn't always been easy at times, has given me the ability to
create a life for myself out here. All of my friends are here and
I'm definitely going to stay on the East Coast for awhile. My goal
is to live in New York City and get a job with an advertising
agency.
