Five Sets With Paige Whipple
10/26/2017 | Volleyball
That youth movement is led Paige Whipple, a freshman outside hitter from Salem, Oregon. The former No. 27 recruit nationally is making major waves in her first year in the Pac-12. Whipple, who is one of three freshmen in UA's usual starting lineup, is averaging 2.45 kills/set while also adding 2.30 digs/set. She has five double-doubles this season, already the most by a UA freshman since 2013.
Whipple has the only 20-kill match by a freshman in the Pac-12 this season; she went for 24 vs. William & Mary earlier this season.
This week, Whipple sat down with ArizonaWildcats.com to discuss her transition to collegiate volleyball and more. Whipple and the Wildcats take on California (Friday) and Stanford (Sunday) this week at McKale Center. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
1. We've reached the midpoint in Pac-12 play, how do you think the first half of conference play has prepared you, especially as a freshman, for seeing these teams a second time around?
"I think the first round I was super nervous because it is the Pac-12, the best conference in the NCAA. It has been really exciting to play against each team. It has been really cool to see girls that I use to play against in club and compete against them in the Pac 12. Although our record was not great in the first round of the Pac-12, I think now we have gotten a lot better. After having the opportunity to play the teams once before gives us an edge because, we know what to expect and how to prepare better the next time around."
2. What's your favorite thing about playing for Coach Rubio and the coaching staff?
"The coaches do a really good job of developing an individual relationship with each player. I know sometimes it is easy for coaches to only focus on the team aspect, which is still important, but our coaching staff does a great job connecting with each player. They focus not only on each person's game, and how they can make the individuals better but, also on a personal connection off the court."
3.How has it been adjusting as a freshman onto the team?
"There is always that 'Oh, you're are a freshman' stage". We all have jobs when we travel like carrying the equipment and carry the water, which is typical for freshmen on most teams. The older girls have been really inviting and accepting of all of us. Since a lot the freshman are playing, they have really welcomed us in. They have not been stand-offish because we are freshmen, and have really included us in the team aspect.
4. How has it been adjusting from Salem, Oregon to Tucson, Arizona?
"It is definitely very different. It took me awhile to adjust to the heat. When I moved here in July it was 110 degrees, and it never gets that hot in Oregon. I think now I have acclimated a little bit. Sometimes in the mornings it is actually a little cold. It is definitely fun to live in a completely different environment in terms of what everything looks like around. The desert here looks very different than the valley that I grew up in in Oregon.
5. What do you want to improve on the most this season?
"I really want to work on my consistency. This is the highest level of volleyball I have ever played at so I have been working hard to take in all of the new information I have learned. As the season has progressed, I have definitely gotten more comfortable on the court. I want to make sure I am the most reliable person on the court I can be.
