We would like to thank Miss Nellie Spicer for granting us this interview. We know how busy she is getting ready for her professional career abroad yet she still took time to answer these questions for us and for her fans.
The first time we saw her on TV was 3 years ago during the NCAA Playoffs against Nebraska and we enjoyed her aura and energy on the court. She showed great setting skills and leadership. From then on, we knew she’d be on the National Team after college. We were right!
We had the privilege to meet Nellie in person at the Anaheim Training Center a week after they came back from winning the 2010 Grand Prix. We must admit that we were a bit nervous meeting her and the rest of the girls but to our surprise Nellie greeted us with a smile and chatted with us for a bit to break the ice. Right there and then, we knew this girl had something a volleyball fan is looking for: Fan Appreciation.
For us, you can be an amazing athlete but if you don’t know how to appreciate your fans who make posters with your name on it or even wait hours until you come out of the locker room then you will never be a great athlete to us. Nellie certainly has it and for sure the rest of the girls have it too.
We took a shot of asking her for an interview and Nellie thought about it for days then finally granted us this very special interview.
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1. If you were to go back to ONE NCAA match in your collegiate career, which match would it be and why?
After looking back into my UCLA career the match that stands out most would be either my senior night against USC or a preseason tournament at Northwestern University. Senior Night was Not only a special night to recognize the amazing seniors that I got to work with for 4 yrs but it was also Thanksgiving weekend and 20 family members came out to California for the festivities. We beat USC in 3 too which of course made everyone a bit happier. The Northwestern Tournament was awesome because it is an hour from my hometown so I had a bunch of fans!
2. Please name every coach you’ve had in your career and share one great lesson you’ve learned from them which has helped you as a player.
- Karen Traub-Respect the game no matter who is on the other side of the net.
- Cheryl Butler-How to be loyal
- Mr Cahl-Perseverance
- Tom Pazko-How to compete every single point Rick Butler
- Joe Jablonski(18s)-Work your hardest under all circumstances.
- Andy Banachowski: To be steady under pressure and what it means to be a person of character.
3. Given a day to coach, would you coach a men’s team or a women’s team and why?
Mens because I think it would be more of a challenge and interesting to see how different and similar the two are.
4. Take a minute to look back and recall that day you decided that you’d play volleyball. What were those moments which led you to decide that vball would be the sport you’d play.
I watched my siblings play all different sports growing up and volleyball stuck with me the most because you get the best of all worlds: teamwork, cutest uniforms, and specifically my position of a setter you have a big influence on the game.
5. Pls Name one big mistake you’ve done and what did you do to correct it.
We all make mistakes and will continue to make mistakes because we are human…the main one I can think of is not being proactive in things outside of volleyball during my first 3 years at UCLA. I then realized that I wanted to get involved with the UCLA hospital so I volunteered once a week at the children’s hospital where I met unbelievable kids who ABSOLUTELY changed my life.
6. You’ve played overseas and for sure you’ve encountered several challenges. What are these challenges and how do you handle them?
The biggest challenge is missing my family… we have become quite good at using all forms of communication through the internet.
7. The very first thing you said to yourself, the first thing you did and the first person you talked to after winning the 2010 GP and seeing the Gold medal around your neck.
The feeling of standing on the podium with my team knowing we gave it everything we had and coming out on top was surreal. Afterwards, I emailed my parents telling them the good news then watched Planet Earth with a glass of wine and went to bed.
8. How did you prepare for the GP knowing it was your first major international tourney?
I practiced hard and kept trying to get better just like any athlete would do whether going on their first or 20th tourney.
9. When asked on current world issues, Nellie just answered…
I just want WORLD PEACE!
10. What has been your guiding principle in life?
Family comes first always in life because they will be the ones on your side through it all…and you can achieve anything you want if you put your mind and heart in it.
11.Pls briefly share to us your volleyball career: highschool, college and professional career. National team debut. highlights of your career and etc.
- High School-All Conference 3 years /All Area 3 years /All State 2 years
- College-1st Team All American 3 years
- Professional Career-Best Server In Puerto Rico ’10
- National Team Debut-Pan American Cup ’09
- Highlight-Winning GP this year
12. Given the chance to witness other setters from the other teams in the GP, what makes Nellie different?
There are a lot of GREAT setters in the world but having fun and truly loving volleyball is what makes me ME!
(images from www.volleymasters.ch)
Side Dish: To know more about Nellie’s NCAA Collegiate Career, click HERE! Her USA National Team Career, click HERE! Her official statement after not making it to Japan, click HERE!
(images from volleymasters.ch)