Oct. 5, 2007
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - After helping Santa Clara post a 3-1 upset over No. 14 San Diego Thursday night at the Jenny Craig Pavilion, redshirt freshman Kim Courtney checked in with SantaClaraBroncos.com to talk about the season thus far, the match against San Diego, her favorite movies and much more.
Courtney is fifth on the team with a .231 hitting percentage (47-17-130) and checks in with eight service aces and 28 digs. The Broncos improved to an 11-7 overall record and a 3-0 West Coast Conference mark with the victory over the Toreros, and will face the Dons of San Francisco on Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m.
SantaClaraBroncos.com: Before yesterday's match against San Diego, what were your thoughts about how the season was shaping for SCU?
Kim Courtney: We didn't start the season the way we wanted to. But we know that coming into WCC play, it is a whole new phase of the season and after the victories over Portland and Gonzaga last weekend, we definitely had a more positive outlook.
SCB: Now, after the upset over No. 14 San Diego, how does the remainder of the season look to you?
KC: We are definitely more confident in ourselves and each other. San Diego was a good team with a high ranking, but we believed that we could beat them. We faced tough teams like Florida and Hawaii early on in the season, and even though we didn't win those games, they got us ready for last night. It was a huge win for us.
SCB: What has been your most memorable moment in the season thus far?
KC: It would definitely have to be last night's win over San Diego. Everyone had a winning attitude and they were intense and focused. We got such great energy from the bench and it was just a really special moment when we won.
SCB: After redshirting last season because of surgery, how did it feel to finally get on the court this season?
KC: I tore my ACL my senior year of high school and last year I had to have surgery to clean it up. It wasn't what I expected for my first season, but being on the outside in a sense, I got to look at the game and the team with a different perspective. I could look at mistakes and figure out what I would have done to make them better. It definitely gave me a hunger to get out there and make a difference this season.
SCB: Is there anyone on the team that you look up to?
KC: Everyone brings unique qualities to the team, but I would have to say Caroline Walters' intense focus for each match is something I admire.
SCB: If we were to ask your teammates to describe you with one word, what word do you think they would choose?
KC: Oh, that's a hard question. I don't know. Ask Caroline.
SCB: Okay, Caroline, what one word would you choose to describe Kim?
Caroline Walters: Intense.
SCB: Thanks! Now Kim, what one word would you use to describe your team?
KC: Fun.
SCB: Enough about the Broncos, did you play any other sports growing up?
KC: I played gymnastics, soccer and I was a swimmer.
SCB: Why did you choose volleyball over those sports?
KC: In ninth grade I found a bigger passion for the sport. I just love the game.
SCB: What about the game do you love so much?
KC: It would be the team camaraderie and the competitive spirit.
SCB: So off the court, what do you enjoy doing?
KC: I love going to the beach and the movies. I love Disney movies. Oh, and I like all types of water sports like jet skiing.
SCB: What's your favorite beach to go to?
KC: Being that I'm from Santa Barbara, I would say East Beach. I also like Manhattan Beach.
SCB: What are your favorite movies?
KC: I really like "Match Point" and "Grandma's Boy."
SCB: How about music? What's playing most often on your iPod?
KC: "Kiss Kiss" by Chris Brown, "At the Beginning" from the "Anastasia" soundtrack and "Hypnotize" by Notorious B.I.G.
SCB: What's one of the most interesting or unique facts about you that most people would not know?
KC: Not that it's unique, but I've had seven different surgeries; one on my knee, one on my shoulder, two on my back and two in my abdominal area.
SCB: If you were told that after graduation you could have whatever job your heart desired, what would you choose to be?
KC: Besides being No. 1 on the AVP tour, I would want to be a physical therapist for professional athletes.
SCB: Why?
KC: Since I have experienced different kinds of injuries, I know the physical and psychological work people have to go through to overcome their setback.
SCB: Okay, last question. If money was not an issue and you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
KC: I've always wanted to go to Thailand and Santorini, Greece. And, I would go on an African Safari.
