Sept. 8, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Head coach Russ Rose welcomes nine newcomers to the 2010 women's volleyball team. Meet five members of the 2010 freshman class below!
#15 Maggie Harding • DS • Fr. • State College, Pa.
What does it mean to you to play for Penn State?
"I've been watching Penn State volleyball since I was five. I have always thought it would be `the coolest thing ever' to play for Penn State and be a part of such a legacy. Now that I'm here, it's incredibly exciting."
What was preseason like?
"Volleyball. Eat. Sleep."
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
"My favorite place on campus is Rec Hall. It's home to practices, games, hard work and a lot of history."
Who is the funniest person on the team?
"Definitely Arielle Wilson."
What is one of your goals for the season?
"This season, I want to push my teammates to be better every day."
#18 Deja McClendon • OH • Fr. • Louisville, Ky.
What does it mean to you to play for Penn State?
"It means playing for a team with an amazing coaching staff and a team that has great traditions and work ethic."
What was preseason like?
"It was like hitting a brick wall and thinking I wasn't going to make it. Then it was realizing my teammates were behind me, all helping to push me over the wall."
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
"My bed. I love to nap."
Who is the funniest person on the team?
"Krosby Pabst cracks me up."
What is one of your goals for the season?
"To never stop working hard and to improve every time we step on the court."
#6 Maddie Martin • OH • Fr. • Tampa, Fla.
What does it mean to you to play for Penn State?
"I'm so honored and humbled to be part of such a great tradition and to be playing with some of the best players in the country."
What was preseason like?
"Preseason lived up to all the hype the older girls made it out to be. My body has never experienced that much physical activity. In the end, it was one of the most rewarding things I've ever been through."
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
"My bed, because nothing is better than coming back to your room after a long practice and just laying in bed and relaxing."
Who is the funniest person on the team?
"Krosby Pabst."
What is one of your goals for the season?
"Since we are less experienced this year, I want to see us grow as a team and to uphold the Penn State tradition."
#19 Krosby Pabst • DS • Fr. • Long Beach, Calif.
What does it mean to you to play for Penn State?
"As an athlete I am so fortunate to play for such an amazing coach, an elite program and that it's my job to perform to the best of my ability in order to represent my school and team in the best possible way."
What was preseason like?
"Preseason was physically wearing, but most of all it was completely mental. After the first week, you hit a wall and break down emotionally, but you have to pick yourself up and get back on your feet. This helps you get mentally ready for the season and most importantly, it proves to yourself how, with a lot of heart, you can push through the toughest obstacles."
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
"My bed. Along with practices, games, classes and studying, it's hard to find time to just restore my body and just sleep. After a good night's sleep, I am ready and pumped for the next day's practice."
Who is the funniest person on the team?
"Arielle Wilson."
What is one of your goals for the season?
"As a team, to work together and grow as a unit because we are a completely different team from the years before. Individually, I want to perform to the best of my ability and contribute positively to the overall well-being of the team."
#16 Katie Slay • MH • Fr. • Raleigh, N.C.
What does it mean to you to play for Penn State?
"When I put on the Penn State jersey before matches, I get excited thinking about the great tradition of this program. The girls before us worked hard and set high standards for this team. Now it is our time to carry on where they left off and uphold the program's outstanding reputation."
What was preseason like?
"Preseason was definitely an exhausting experience. However, we knew that when we went into the gym we needed to work hard. It was exciting to see our team improve every day. Going through it brought out team closer together. Now that we made it through, we can look back on all the good, funny times we had and laugh."
What is your favorite place on campus and why?
"My favorite place on campus is the walk up the hill to Rec Hall. There are beautiful trees that line both sides of the road and hang over the street. It's really pretty."
Who is the funniest person on the team?
"I always laugh the most with Katie Kabbes and Krosby Pabst."
What is one of your goals for the season?
"A personal goal would be to continue improving throughout the season, and for our team to compete hard together every match."