Dylan Lynch '16
With the 2015 sand volleyball season in the books, junior Danielle Rottman (DR) is already getting prepared for her final year as a Bronco. Santa Clara Broncos (SCB) sat down with Rottman to discuss the importance of everything from their locker room playlists to travelling as a team.
DR: It's crazy that my senior year is right around the corner! I am so excited! I am motivated, looking ahead to my senior season to get the opportunity to compete in my last season as a Bronco. During sand season we trained hard both on the court and in the weight room and I know that this hard work will transfer over next season. One thing specifically that I can take away from sand and my junior year is the mental and emotional growth. Sand is a grind not only physically, but also mentally, and I have challenged myself this past year to become more mentally tough. I know this will help me for next season and ultimately help our team.
SCB: How has your role as a leader on the team evolved since your first season as a Bronco?
DR: Freshman year has its challenges for everyone because you go through many changes both as an athlete and as a person. It is really awesome to see how players mature and evolve from (for lack of a better word) clueless freshmen to great leaders their junior and senior year. For me, the role that I have embraced is leading by example. There is nothing more powerful as a leader than setting a good example and working hard everyday.
SCB: This past month, the sand volleyball team traveled down to Hermosa Beach for the USA Volleyball Collegiate Challenge. How have you benefitted personally and as a team from trips like this and your visit to West Point?
DR: In general, travelling with the team is always a great time. Our main priority is winning volleyball games but trips like Hermosa Beach and our West Point visit have other meaningful takeaways. We get to bond as a team experiencing new environments and playing in different atmospheres. Hermosa is one of the best places to play beach volleyball and it's awesome to be able to go as a team and compete, as well as spend the weekend at a beautiful Southern California beach! Touring West Point was one of the most special experiences for me and it was even more meaningful going through it with the team. It really put things in perspective and we saw true examples of commitment and hard work.
