Q&A with volleyball player Elizabeth Tyson
Aug. 13, 2001
Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals or superstitions?My high school team always prayed together before each match so that was a ritual for me. I untuck and tuck my jersey constantly, as well as redo my ponytail before I go on the court. I also double knot my shoes.
Q: Who do you model your game after?I model my game after anyone who I see play that is better than I am. I try to see what they do to perform at the highest level and try to add that to my own game. I could learn by watching a teammate or someone on the opposing team even
Q: If you could play another sport at Miami, what would it be?The sport I would play would definitely be football. If girls were allowed to play I would be the first one out there. My family has always been big football fans for the University of Florida and the Jacksonville Jaguars, so football is a sport I’ve grown up around. My dad and uncles played, and it’s something I have always wanted to try.
Q: What is your greatest athletic moment?It would have to be winning the high school state championship my junior year. Bishop Kenny was not the favorite to win, and we surprised everyone by pulling out the title in three games. It was also the first time in Bishop Kenny history for a volleyball team to win a state title.
Q: What is your biggest thrill in your life to date?This question ties into the previous one. Many people thought my team was going through a rebuilding year and wrote us off pretty early as not having a chance in the post season. Doing something everyone thought was impossible was a great feeling.
Q: If you could play in any arena in the world, what would it be?Whatever arena Miami is playing in for the volleyball national championship.
Q: Who is the toughest player (college) you have faced?Taylor Williams who will be a freshman at the University of Florida this fall.
Q: If you were selecting a volleyball “Dream Team”, who would be the first three players you would pick?1. Jenny Manz2. Misty May3. Karch Kiraly
Q: When you played volleyball as a kid, who did you pretend to be?Actually, I pretended to be me. Of course, it was a much better version of me. I always imagined myself as being the best and that always helped me to improve my game and helped me focus on becoming the player I wanted to be.
Q: The current or former Miami athlete you most enjoy watching perform?The new Miami volleyball team.
Q: What is the best thing about the University of Miami?The people involved in the school. Everyone is there to help each other and I love that feeling of having something stable in my new life away from home.
Q: If you could be a superhero, who would you be? She-ra. I don’t really know why, but she had a really cool cartoon when I was little. Plus, she was related to he-man so that can’t be a bad thing.
Q: If you were not playing college volleyball where would you be?I would probably be playing college tennis somewhere.
Q: What is the best advice you have ever received?“Don’t worry.” Mom”Sleep on it.” Wilbur Harby
Q: If you could invite three people to dinner in history, who would they be?1. God2. My Mom3. My Dad
Q: What is the one moment in history that you would like to have seen?– the birth of Christ
Q: What is something that people do not know about you?I seem self-assured most of the time, but I am actually pretty shy when I am in new surroundings.
Q: What is the one place you would most like to visit?All of the fifty states.
Q: If you could switch places with someone for one day, who would it be?Any cast member of Saturday Night Live on a Saturday night.
Q: Where do you see yourself ten years from now?In a successful advertising firm and hopefully starting a family.
Q: If you could bring anything from your hometown to UM, what would it be?My mom and our kitchen.
Q: If you won $1 million, what would be the first thing you would buy?A house on the beach on Sanibel Island for my family.
Q: What is one thing you would change about college volleyball? The stereotype that the bigger the player is, the better. Big things come in small packages.
Q: What is your favorite website?www.bluefly.com
Q: What type of volleyball shoes do you prefer to play in (be specific)? I love to play in Asics shoes. They have always worn really well and they are easy to break in. I like the low top versions as opposed to the high top styles.
