Answers to Your Question from Coach Welch

Aug. 20, 2004

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Coral Gables, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – – Here are your questions and answers from University of Miami Volleyball Coach Nicole Lantagne Welch:

Hi Nicole,
This is Matt Thissen, Jill’s high school coach. I just wanted to ask how she’s doing? I see that she had 29 assists and 7 blocks in your opener. She is a fabulous blocker, always has been. I used to tell her sister Jacque that Jill is a better blocker than her and she’d would get all fired up over that statement. Good luck to you guys. I see that you’re coming to California this upcoming week. I’d love to see Jill play, but I’m taking my team to a big tourney in Reno, Nv. at that time. Tell her hello for me.
Matt

Hi Matt, how are you doing? I hope things went well at the Reno tourney! Jill is doing great for us- we played in Dallas this past weekend and she had her best match of the season vs. Wisconsin-Milwaukee on Sunday- our team hit % was .431, much to her credit. It has been a lot of fun to see her progress since she first got here. Yes, she is quite a blocker- has a nice jump that I never had as a player :). She is also the joust champion on our team so I would like to see her go against Jacque on that! Well take care and I will pass on your hello!

Coach Lantagne Welch:Is it possible that your vast volleyball skill and knowledge is, at least partly, based on you having gone to a high school that had the premier boys volleyball team in San Diego County?
Michael

Michael,
What a great observation! Funny you should share the name of the great setter on that boy’s volleyball team! I’m sure observing and playing with those exceptional players of San Dieguito High School definitely enhanced my volleyball background :). I also quite enjoyed playing with and against many of those players out on the beach a time or two. Yes, those experiences, along with all of my vb experiences over the years have helped to shape my coaching background today.We hope that you’ll get to come see the ‘Canes sometime this year! Tell the family hi for me!

Coach Welch: I have a question about your volleyball camps during the summer. I was wondering if you still have room in your day camp? Also i wanted to know where it will be held?
Trupti

Trupti,
Our camps have finished for the summer of ’04. We will, however, be holding camps again next summer (’05). That information should be available sometime early next year- in Jan or Feb. Thanks for your interest and we hope to meet you at camp next summer- or at a match this fall- we open at home with FSU next Friday.

I was wondering if you have any clubs or anything for guys? If you could please get back to me that would be great. Thanks.
Wade Johnson

Wade,
You would want to check with the wellness center for information on the men’s club team 305-284-3253. Our Division 1 program here is a women’s program only. We hope that you’ll come and be a fan at our matches though!Good luck with volleyball.
~ Nicole L. Welch

Hi Coach,
I was just wondering if you remember me from Volleyball camp last summer. I am Tommy’s (Tomas’s) cousin. I wish that I could have come to the camp this summer but my summer was pretty booked. Anyway, tell all the girls that I said hi and good luck with this season!

Love,
Mikah

Mikah,
Of course we remember you from camp last year. We certainly missed having you around this time, but understand that it is harder for you to get out here from New Mexico than most. I will tell everyone you said hello and good luck and best wishes to you as well. We hope you’ll always be a ‘Cane fan, even if your uncle is leaving us 🙂
~Nicole L. Welch

Hi.
My name is Bob Everhart. I’m an alumnus from the class of 1995. I played in the volleyball club at UM back before there was a team, and since I live out of state, I haven’t been able to see any of your matches. Anyway, I’ll be coming down to the U for Labor Day weekend, so I’ll finally get to see amatch.

You all are building a tradition of excellence at Miami, and your fans (including me) are very proud of you! Keep up the great work and good luck this season!

Bob

Bob,
Thanks so much for the kind note. We are very proud of the tradition we are building here at Miami and it is great to have alumni like yourself following us all the way. We look forward to having you in the stands over labor day weekend this year! Go ‘Canes!
~Nicole L. Welch

When practices for the season start do you have the girls on a curfew or what? because I play outside hitter and my coach says that we have to have a curfew because it will help us if we play in college, because most coaches in college have their players on a curfew.

Thanks,

Veronica

Veronica,Yes we do have a curfew. During our preseason when the focus is volleyball only, we have one every night. It is also a time for us to be together as a team- we work so hard during these couple of weeks that they would all be in anyway, but it is in place. Once school begins, we have a curfew the night before and two nights before our matches. This is to ensure that everyone is getting enough rest and will be ready to compete at their highest level. We expect the team to be committed to our goals and make good decisions for the benefits of the team beyond that.
Thanks for your question and we hope to see you at a match!
~ Nicole L. Welch