Michigan State University Athletics
Q & A With Spartan Volleyball Senior Allison Ianni
8/31/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Aug. 31, 2006
1. How does West Coast volleyball differ from the Midwestern game and what have you had to change to adapt to that?
"Contrary to popular belief, I think everything that we are trying to do here is faster than anything they do out on the West Coast. Another thing I've had to learn to do is play better defense."
2. What is it like coming back home to play at the school where your dad played baseball and is now a Senior Associate Athletics Director?
"It's awesome. It has always been my dream to play here at Michigan State since I was little and to hear the fight song and know it was my school. "
3. Coming in as a senior you will only spend one year at State. What do you hope to accomplish in your time here?
"I'd like to win a Big Ten Championship; I think that is always our goal. I'd also like to see us make the NCAA tournament and to make a big run and win a national title."
4. I saw you listed your younger brother as one of your heroes, what makes him so special to you?
"When Anthony was growing up, he dealt with learning disabilities that a lot of people didn't know about, so all of his struggles and what he had to overcome to be what he is today is really cool. I really look up to him."
5. Growing up in the MSU "family," what is the best part about coming back to East Lansing?
"I think knowing that there is so much support behind me. Also, knowing that people will be backing me up and my family will have the opportunity to come and watch me play."
6. Talk about how the opportunity to come to State arose.
"It ended up being a little of both me wanting to leave and State opening up the communication lines. When I knew I wasn't going to be going back to Pacific, I let my dad know and he helped me take the necessary steps to transfer. It also worked out nice that there wasn't another setter here and (head coach) Cathy (George) needed someone to come in immediately. So in a lot of ways, it was like the stars all aligned."
7. Who have been the most influential people on your volleyball career and why?
"My mom for sure, because she used to coach at Ohio University when I was little. So basically from the time I was in her womb, I went on recruiting trips with her and was in the gym with her when I was little, so I have grown up with her as my coach. "
