Penn State Q&A: Brett Wildman at the World University GamesPenn State Q&A: Brett Wildman at the World University Games
Kyle Scholzen

Penn State Q&A: Brett Wildman at the World University Games

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State men's volleyball sophomore Brett Wildman enjoyed a breakout freshman season with the Nittany Lions in 2019 that helped him earn a spot on the USA Volleyball college national team roster, which he competed for at the 2019 World University Games in Naples, Italy last July.
 
Penn State athletics caught up with Wildman to discuss what he took away from the unique experience and how he thinks it will benefit him going into year two with Penn State men's volleyball in 2020:
 

PSU Athletics: When did you find out you were going to play in the World University Games? What was your initial reaction?
Brett:  "I found out that I was going to the World University Games a couple weeks into the Penn State season.  My initial reaction was shock.  I didn't entirely know what the games represented and how big of an honor it was to be selected.  Shocked, happy, honored." 

 
PSU: You seemed to mesh pretty quickly with the rest of the team while overseas. What was the experience like getting to play with this team, especially with many of them playing for rival programs?
Brett:  "The first time that we were all together was on the plane to Italy.  Initially, people were tentative to break the ice, but that all changed during our first practice.  We bonded over what we all love to do – play volleyball.  It was a challenge in the fact that we only had five practices with each other before playing a game, but I think it actually brought us together even more with a 'no excuses' attitude."

 


PSU: The end of the 2019 college season was very strong for you. How do you think that carried over to this event? Did you pick up on other aspects of the game that will make you even better going into your sophomore season?   
Brett:  "The end of the 2019 season most definitely carried over into the summer.  The combination of me finally adjusting my game to "big-boy volleyball", as Coach Pavlik calls it, and my increasing confidence helped me get better this summer.  I've picked up two big things:  the first being the passing aspect of my game.  I learned by trial and error different techniques for passing.  I also learned that a huge part to the game I can keep improving is my overall court and situational awareness."
 



PSU: You were the youngest player on the squad as the only one going into his sophomore season. What was that dynamic like for you?
Brett: "The dynamic was not too different from how it was this past season for Penn State.  I was used to being one of the younger people.  All that being said, it also did not feel like I was the youngest. The team bonded well and accepted everyone.  If anything, being the young one makes me want to prove myself even more."
 

PSU: Where did you visit when you had time away from the court? Did you have a favorite place to go?
Brett:  "Time away from the court was mainly spent resting and getting my body ready for the next game. When we did explore a little, we got to see Pompeii, downtown Naples and the Amalfi coast.  The Amalfi Coast was definitely my favorite due to its stunning views.  It was also just a sight to see the views from the bus window on the way to practices and games."
 



PSU: What was your favorite moment or memory from the Games?
B: "The Opening ceremony was most definitely my favorite memory.  I envisioned a big ceremony but nothing close to what I saw when I walked in. 65,000 people, I believe it was, packed into a stadium just to see us walk in was crazy.  Italy, the host nation, walked in right behind us so we got to hear the roar of the crowd for them. The atmosphere of our matches was fun too, but the Opening Ceremony was really special."


 



PSU: How does this experience with USA Volleyball make you a better player going forward?
Brett: "Anytime you can play against international competition it opens your eyes to new parts of the game and ways that you can improve.  No matter how good you get there are always so many little things that you can still get better at."
 



Several photos for this piece were contributed by Kyle Scholzen of USA Volleyball. 
 
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