Post by Barefoot In Kailua on Sept 15, 2004 0:09:48 GMT -5
Conversation: Dariam Acevedo
By Spencer Kitley, Texas Media Relations
Dariam Acevedo
A strong and intense player Dariam Acevedo, the Longhorns 5-10, outside hitter is ready to show the Texas faithful the same energy and enthusiasm that her teammates have come to expect. After suffering a knee surgery in only her second match in a Texas uniform and later attaining a medical hardship waiver, the redshirt sophomore is back and more determined than ever, as she and her Longhorn teammates set their sites on a great year and a run at the Big 12 Conference title. Acevedo recently relaxed a bit and sat down with Texassports.com to talk about her recovery from injury, the European volleyball tour, and even what CD she is spinning right now.
Your volleyball career has been a roller-coaster ride, as you have moved from Puerto Rico to Oregon, and have now found a home in Austin. Talk a little about your career and the places that you have been, and why you made the decision to come to Texas last fall.
DA: In high school I began to realize that I wanted to go somewhere other than home (Puerto Rico) for college. I knew that there were better opportunities here in the United States for volleyball players, and especially those who want to elevate their games to the next level. In Puerto Rico there are good players and universities, but I felt that American universities could offer me better opportunities in academics and athletics. I ended up at the University of Oregon as a freshman after they had seen me play in several American tournaments, which included some junior national games. It was amazing to experience (the whole recruiting process) as teams courted me and I had know idea that they had ever seen me play. I was not sure what place was the best for me, but I knew that I loved the way that American universities have such a great balance of academics and athletics. I left Oregon for several reasons, like as the unusual climate that was foreign to me as a native of the Caribbean. I also left because of the respect that I have for my parents and how very expensive it was for them to have to send me on such a long and expensive flight to and from school. Now it is still expensive, but much more reasonable than flying to the West Coast. I had no problems with Oregon, I just felt like that it was not the right fit for me academically and athletically, but I am having so much fun now that I am here in Austin.
After injuring your knee early last season you are healthy again, how difficult was it to recover from that injury and how excited are to play your first full season at Texas?
DA: When I first injured my knee (a torn left anterior-cruciate ligament) I was in complete shock because the attitude that I had developed was almost one of invincibility and I never thought that this would be an injury that would ever happen to me. I was shocked because I have trained so hard since I was fourteen years old. However, when it happened I knew I could not go back or change anything and it was then when I asked myself, 'Do I really want to play volleyball again?" The answer was yes, but the rehab process and all of things that I went through were very frustrating as I fought my way back to being healthy. Now that I am healthy, I appreciate each day a little more, and I live each day to the fullest. I am very conscious now of how well or how poorly I do things and I strive to do things to the best of my ability each and every day.
Although you missed the season last year you were healthy in time to play in all five of the team's matches in Europe this summer. Talk about that experience and how the trip impacted you, your teammates, and team unity as a whole.
DA: The opportunity for us to go to Europe this summer was great, as we were given the opportunity to play in such a different environment and experience European volleyball and their unique style of play. It was interesting for us as a team to see how hard their players have to work and fight to get to where they want to be. They do not have as many opportunities as in the U.S., therefore, the youth have to work extremely hard to be successful. As an individual the tour really taught me more about the team concept when I left my outside hitter position and played back row for all five games. I think the team really established some versatility as we took on some new roles during the tour and were able to understand each others responsibilities a little better.
The teams trip was obviously a positive experience, how has that experience translated on to the court for preseason workouts and into the first few matches of the year?
DA: The experience of the trip gave us a wonderful opportunity for Jen (Christian) and Sarah (Holloway) to get involved with the team and gave us an advantage over other schools who have all of their freshman come in the fall. That chance to play with them let us really connect with them and have more of a relationship and team chemistry that we would not have had if they were brand new to the squad this fall. Having had time to forge friendships with the new players and play with them made us that much stronger of a team coming into the season.
How will the team begin to prepare differently from preseason workouts now that the season is underway?
DA: As a team we are focusing on ball control and it is really great that we are spending extra time on that part of the game because that is what we need. We are a really tall team and we know that we can terminate, but we have to be able to play defense, pass and control the ball. In years past we have not been able to control the ball well enough to have a successful team, and I think that all of our hard work will pay off this year as we have improved all aspects of our game.
Having come to the United States to play college volleyball has it been difficult for you to adjust, and how has your family been able to follow your career being so far away?
DA: It has been difficult to adjust to American volleyball because the style of coaching here is very different than in Puerto Rico. The head coach is more involved, running every single drill in practice back home, as Jerritt (Elliott) is involved, but not as directly as my past coaches. My family has been able to follow my career through the Internet. They love to listen to the live broadcast on the Internet, and they check live stats during the matches. After our matches they already know how we did even before I call them. It will be exciting this year when they get to come to Texas and see some of our matches.
Your demeanor on the court is very intense and you are a fiery player. What fuels that fire and what is your mindset when you step onto the court? How does that mindset differ when you step onto your home court at Gregory Gym?
DA: Through the years I have competed so hard against people and I have had to show people that I can do things and I think it was those experiences that have really fueled my fire and made me such an intense player. My confidence and self pride give me that added attitude and that is really where I get my on court mentality. Playing in front of the home crowd you always want to 'show up' and you always want to show your opponent that "We are Texas."
Fact Attack: Dariam Acevedo
Favorite Place in Austin? Aussies Volley Grill
Volleyball: In the sand / On the court: On the court
If you're not on the court you're… Doing homework
Which reality show would you be on? The Bachelorette
The O.C. / The North Shore: The O.C.
Dinner for four. Who is there, dead or alive? How about dinner for five with my parents and two brothers.
What did you eat for dinner last night? A deli sandwich on the team bus
What is in your CD player right now? Usher, Confessions
Neat / Messy: Neat
When you think of the University of Texas, you think? Longhorn Pride
By Spencer Kitley, Texas Media Relations
Dariam Acevedo
A strong and intense player Dariam Acevedo, the Longhorns 5-10, outside hitter is ready to show the Texas faithful the same energy and enthusiasm that her teammates have come to expect. After suffering a knee surgery in only her second match in a Texas uniform and later attaining a medical hardship waiver, the redshirt sophomore is back and more determined than ever, as she and her Longhorn teammates set their sites on a great year and a run at the Big 12 Conference title. Acevedo recently relaxed a bit and sat down with Texassports.com to talk about her recovery from injury, the European volleyball tour, and even what CD she is spinning right now.
Your volleyball career has been a roller-coaster ride, as you have moved from Puerto Rico to Oregon, and have now found a home in Austin. Talk a little about your career and the places that you have been, and why you made the decision to come to Texas last fall.
DA: In high school I began to realize that I wanted to go somewhere other than home (Puerto Rico) for college. I knew that there were better opportunities here in the United States for volleyball players, and especially those who want to elevate their games to the next level. In Puerto Rico there are good players and universities, but I felt that American universities could offer me better opportunities in academics and athletics. I ended up at the University of Oregon as a freshman after they had seen me play in several American tournaments, which included some junior national games. It was amazing to experience (the whole recruiting process) as teams courted me and I had know idea that they had ever seen me play. I was not sure what place was the best for me, but I knew that I loved the way that American universities have such a great balance of academics and athletics. I left Oregon for several reasons, like as the unusual climate that was foreign to me as a native of the Caribbean. I also left because of the respect that I have for my parents and how very expensive it was for them to have to send me on such a long and expensive flight to and from school. Now it is still expensive, but much more reasonable than flying to the West Coast. I had no problems with Oregon, I just felt like that it was not the right fit for me academically and athletically, but I am having so much fun now that I am here in Austin.
After injuring your knee early last season you are healthy again, how difficult was it to recover from that injury and how excited are to play your first full season at Texas?
DA: When I first injured my knee (a torn left anterior-cruciate ligament) I was in complete shock because the attitude that I had developed was almost one of invincibility and I never thought that this would be an injury that would ever happen to me. I was shocked because I have trained so hard since I was fourteen years old. However, when it happened I knew I could not go back or change anything and it was then when I asked myself, 'Do I really want to play volleyball again?" The answer was yes, but the rehab process and all of things that I went through were very frustrating as I fought my way back to being healthy. Now that I am healthy, I appreciate each day a little more, and I live each day to the fullest. I am very conscious now of how well or how poorly I do things and I strive to do things to the best of my ability each and every day.
Although you missed the season last year you were healthy in time to play in all five of the team's matches in Europe this summer. Talk about that experience and how the trip impacted you, your teammates, and team unity as a whole.
DA: The opportunity for us to go to Europe this summer was great, as we were given the opportunity to play in such a different environment and experience European volleyball and their unique style of play. It was interesting for us as a team to see how hard their players have to work and fight to get to where they want to be. They do not have as many opportunities as in the U.S., therefore, the youth have to work extremely hard to be successful. As an individual the tour really taught me more about the team concept when I left my outside hitter position and played back row for all five games. I think the team really established some versatility as we took on some new roles during the tour and were able to understand each others responsibilities a little better.
The teams trip was obviously a positive experience, how has that experience translated on to the court for preseason workouts and into the first few matches of the year?
DA: The experience of the trip gave us a wonderful opportunity for Jen (Christian) and Sarah (Holloway) to get involved with the team and gave us an advantage over other schools who have all of their freshman come in the fall. That chance to play with them let us really connect with them and have more of a relationship and team chemistry that we would not have had if they were brand new to the squad this fall. Having had time to forge friendships with the new players and play with them made us that much stronger of a team coming into the season.
How will the team begin to prepare differently from preseason workouts now that the season is underway?
DA: As a team we are focusing on ball control and it is really great that we are spending extra time on that part of the game because that is what we need. We are a really tall team and we know that we can terminate, but we have to be able to play defense, pass and control the ball. In years past we have not been able to control the ball well enough to have a successful team, and I think that all of our hard work will pay off this year as we have improved all aspects of our game.
Having come to the United States to play college volleyball has it been difficult for you to adjust, and how has your family been able to follow your career being so far away?
DA: It has been difficult to adjust to American volleyball because the style of coaching here is very different than in Puerto Rico. The head coach is more involved, running every single drill in practice back home, as Jerritt (Elliott) is involved, but not as directly as my past coaches. My family has been able to follow my career through the Internet. They love to listen to the live broadcast on the Internet, and they check live stats during the matches. After our matches they already know how we did even before I call them. It will be exciting this year when they get to come to Texas and see some of our matches.
Your demeanor on the court is very intense and you are a fiery player. What fuels that fire and what is your mindset when you step onto the court? How does that mindset differ when you step onto your home court at Gregory Gym?
DA: Through the years I have competed so hard against people and I have had to show people that I can do things and I think it was those experiences that have really fueled my fire and made me such an intense player. My confidence and self pride give me that added attitude and that is really where I get my on court mentality. Playing in front of the home crowd you always want to 'show up' and you always want to show your opponent that "We are Texas."
Fact Attack: Dariam Acevedo
Favorite Place in Austin? Aussies Volley Grill
Volleyball: In the sand / On the court: On the court
If you're not on the court you're… Doing homework
Which reality show would you be on? The Bachelorette
The O.C. / The North Shore: The O.C.
Dinner for four. Who is there, dead or alive? How about dinner for five with my parents and two brothers.
What did you eat for dinner last night? A deli sandwich on the team bus
What is in your CD player right now? Usher, Confessions
Neat / Messy: Neat
When you think of the University of Texas, you think? Longhorn Pride