Q: What was your “welcome to college” moment?
A: It was actually before I got to college, I was trying to get from the airport to Princeton on the train and I missed the first two trains I was supposed to take because I had no idea how system worked. I think it was the first train I’d ever taken.
Q: What was the greatest highlight of your sports career?
A: At Princeton, going to the [Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Associaiton] Final Four for the first time since I’ve been here. It’s a pretty awesome experience.
Q: Who is your quirkiest teammate?
A: We have a lot of quirky guys on the volleyball team. My fellow juniors, like John Morris — its just hilarious hanging out with them outside of volleyball. Our freshman Pat Schwagler has that funny-without-trying-to-be-funny quirkiness.
Q: What is your funniest story about your coach?
A: His girlfriend who’s from South Dakota came and visited during the season, and we all got to meet her. She was an awesome, beautiful girl. It was just fun giving him a hard time, because he’s a little shy when it comes to talking to girls.
Q: What has been your most embarrassing moment at Princeton?
A: I was walking down the steps of Blair one day after it snowed heavily, and I fell down about 10 steps and just crashed.
Q: What’s the best part about being an athlete on campus?
A: It’s definitely being associated with a team and a group of great guys that I wouldn’t know if I wasn’t on the team. They’re my best friends who I love to hang out with and can always talk to. It’s been a real blessing.
Q: What’s the worst part about being an athlete on campus?
A: Times like now when I’m in crunch time on my JP but I have a commitment to volleyball as well. The time commitment and constraints against the commitment to academics is a struggle sometimes.
Q: What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not playing volleyball?
A: I love to sing with my a cappella group Old NasSoul. I’m one of those guys who loves to sing in the shower. I came to Princeton and I knew I wanted to do something else. I tried out for a cappella on a whim, got lucky enough to make the group, and it’s been awesome. It’s just like volleyball, in that it’s a great group of guys to hang out with.
Q: What would you do if you were coach for a day?
A: I would just have a full practice of back-row doubles. It’s like playing beach volleyball but indoors, two on two. It’s a really fun game that everyone gets involved.
Q: Who gets the most girls/guys on the team? Who has the most game off the court?
A: It’s got to be the looks, Johnny Mo. Wait, it’s got to be [sophomore libero] Dexter Scobee. He’s locked up with a woman right now but we always find little comments online about women who think he’s really cute. Fortunately he’s locked up with a great girl, making all the other girls unhappy.
Q: Do you have a particular pre-match ritual?
A: I like to not think about the match until I’m completely dressed in the locker room and warming up. I try not to over-analyze or over-prepare or tire myself out thinking about the game days before. I go in with a clear mind and a good mood, and when it’s time to go it’s time to go.
Q: Is there any music in particular that inspires you?
A: I love the ’80s stuff, like Michael Jackson’s Free Willy song (“Will You Be There”).
Q: What’s the most embarrassing song on your iPod?
A: It would probably be this one song by Ashlee Simpson. I have no idea how it got on there, but every so often someone finds it.
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