The Minnesota volleyball had its first fall practice on the morning of Friday, August 11. Minnesota welcomes three new players to this year’s team in sophomore transfer Krista Chin, freshman outside hitter Rachelle Hagerty and freshman defensive specialist Christine Tan. Hagerty and Tan are true freshman heading into the season, while Chin transferred and played with the team during the spring and the European Tour. Gophersports.com sat down with all three players to talk about their experience heading into the 2006 season.

Christine Tan:

How excited are you to finally be on campus and starting fall practice?
“It is exciting for the fall to get here. So far the returning players have been very helpful. We only have two freshman with Rachelle (Hagerty) and myself coming in, so it is easy for us to blend in with what the team is already doing. I had been officially committed to play a Minnesota for a while so you wait for first day to arrive. I am excited that fall is finally here and we can get ready to have a good season.”

What are some of the adjustments you have to make to the collegiate game?

“The college game is a lot faster, so I need to get used to playing against the quality hitters that we have in practice and start to get the timing down with the game having sped up from the level I am coming from. Also since the game goes faster, it takes more of a toll on your body so endurance will be a factor as well. I am ready to make all the necessary adjustments that come with playing at this level.”

What made you decide to come to Minnesota?

“It is a great program with a great group of coaches and players. Also, the crowds that we will play in front of are a big factor in what made this an exciting program to come to. I am looking forward to the opportunity of playing in the Sports Pavilion. It is a great atmosphere, and it is always exciting to play in front of 3,000 to 4,000 fans in a match.”

Talk about upholding the strong defensive tradition that Minnesota has had in recent years?

“I am very excited to come to a program with a reputation for playing such a high level of defense. I know Paula (Gentil) set the bar pretty high and was a great player here. I am also looking forward to playing with Malama (Peniata). She is such a great volleyball player with excellent defensive instincts, and she also does a great job of being a vocal leader and helping us out as a senior with a lot of experience in the program.”

Rachelle Hagerty:

How excited are you to finally be on campus and starting fall practice?

“It is exciting to be here with the great group of players and coaches that are a big part of this program. It is fun to get in the gym and just soak in some of the stuff that the players and coaches tell you. I signed my National Letter of Intent during the early signing period, so it is natural to look forward to starting to play where you have committed. I am excited to be on campus and am looking forward to the season.”

How did your older sister (Brie Hagerty at Washington) help you prepare for getting ready to play college volleyball?

“She just told me the situations I would be in starting off in college, and what I needed to do to be prepared. While she was home in the summer we also worked out together to help get me ready physically to play at the next level. She definitely helped me have in my mind what to expect when I arrived here on campus?

What do you expect to bring to the program in your first season as a player?

“We already have some great left-side hitters on the this team. I just want to step in and provide a physical presence that can terminate shots and provide a strong block for our team.”

Talk about some of the adjustments you will have to make to the college game?

“My high school was in a small town, so I did not play against a ton of players who possess the talent that the players at this level will. The speed and skill level will probably be an adjustment early on. However, I am confident that I will get part of that adjustment by playing with the talented players we have on this team in fall practice heading into the season.”

Krista Chin:

How excited are you to be near the beginning of the season after practicing in the spring and going on the European Tour with your teammates?

“I am really excited about the beginning of the season. I think the spring season helped me out a lot to get acquainted with program and get used to my teammates. I am looking forward to the season. I also look forward to playing at the Sports Pavilion in front of all the fans. That is experience helped play a role in my decision to come here.”

How did being with the team in the spring and going on the European Tour help you out?

“I told myself when I picked schools to transfer to that I wanted to be somewhere in the spring and help use that as an adjustment period to get used the school and the team. This team is really close and a great group of people and I am looking forward to the season starting and playing with them. The European Tour helped us get more practice in before the season, and it was just a great experience for everybody.”

What made you decide to transfer to Minnesota from Arizona?

“I think the atmosphere at matches here, the coaches and Meghan Cumpston were the biggest reasons. My club coach said good things about Minnesota that helped weigh in my decision, and Meghan was one of my best friends at Arizona. Once I made the decision to transfer she told me what a great place Minnesota was to play. I am happy to have the opportunity to play with her again, and excited to be playing Big Ten volleyball this year.”

Talk about the level of expectations as a defensive player at Minnesota?

“Defense is the best part of my game, so I look forward to the challenge of living up to the defensive reputation they have built here recently. I think we have a lot talent, led by Malama (Peniata), who is a great vocal leader with tremendous volleyball instincts. Hopefully the group of five defensive players we have here now can have similar to success to “The Three Amigos” a couple years ago.”