INTRODUCTION: Take an insider's view of what's happening on the volleyball court. Megan Hauer takes you inside the strategy on the floor. Lots of problem solving - which makes sense for a Biomedical Engineering major.

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When did you first become involved in volleyball?
I started when I was 12.
 
What attracted you to it?
The organized chaos of the sport. Of course, there's a strategy and there's positions with separate roles on the team, but at the end of the day the goal is to keep a ball off the ground. It doesn't always look athletic or coordinated, it just needs to work. That being said, it's a really rewarding feeling when everything goes as it's supposed to.
 
You play a very specific position as the libero – the one player with a differently colored uniform on the court. When did you begin playing as a libero?
I was 17 the first time I was a libero. However, I've played almost every position at some point.
 
You need good communication skills with the other back-row players, don't you?
Absolutely, and not only with the back row. We are responsible for communicating seams, what defensive strategy we're using, who is taking each ball, what's open for hitters, where the other team is struggling or succeeding, etc. The average point only lasts a few seconds, but a lot is being said during and between each of those.
 
When the ball comes over the net – whether it is a serve or an attack – are you the player who makes the 'call' that you will go after it?
If I know that I'm the best person to take that ball, yes. The libero is expected to be a dominant position. That being said, if the ball is coming right at another teammate, I also trust that they will make a better touch than me sprinting across the court and trying to take that ball. There's 600 square feet of court in just the back row and I can't do it alone.
 
You spend a good deal of time diving for the ball to keep it in play. How long did it take to learn how to dive properly (without injury)?
Diving properly is something that is muscle memory at this point. You naturally learn how to do it in the least painful way when it's something you do nearly every time you're on the court. And even then, proper technique is sometimes lost during scramble plays. Overall, it probably took me 3-4 years to dive "properly" on a regular basis.
 
Can you describe the proper technique for playing the ball (known as a 'dig' in statistical parlance)?
There's many different variations:
 
The most common is similar to how to pass in serve receive: with your platform together however that player prefers to hold their hands, with thumbs pointed down, space between the platform and rest of their body, and hips under the ball. There's several ways to break your platform at the elbows to create different angles or spin. A technique known as "scoop defense" is also relatively common, and learning how to pancake is also a skill taught at higher levels.
 
But at the end of the day and as my coach always says, our defensive strategy is "Ball no touch floor", however you can make that happen.
 
Typically, the libero digs the ball to the setter. Are you always looking in the same spot for the setter?
Yes and no. In an ideal situation, the pass or dig should always land at "target": in between the middle and right side positions, and usually a foot or two off the net. Depending on the situation, I  might change where I pass or dig a ball.
 
In two seasons (FY and sophomore), you totaled 42 aces. Just before you toss the ball for a serve, what are you looking for in the opponent's half of the court?
I look at my assistant coach, he usually gives us zones to serve. If I have to choose for myself, I have a few things to consider:

1. Avoid their libero or DS.
2. Has anyone been a weaker passer?
3. Who is their front row hitter?
4. Is this a rotation where setting is more difficult with a certain pass?
5. Are they short or deep? Are they cheating to the sidelines or closer to the middle?

And if those questions don't give me any helpful information, I go with wherever I have the most confidence in my serve.
 
When you are home, do you work with any youth programs – coaching, counseling, working behind the scenes, etc.? What do you like about doing that?
Sometimes I will work with my coaches from home as a part of clinics or tryouts they run. A couple summers ago I worked the beach tournaments. I like being around the game, and I like being able to give back to some of the programs that helped me get here.
 
What led you to the University of Rochester?
I had two main criteria for schools: biomedical engineering and D3 volleyball. Rochester had both and I liked the campus itself.
 
Why did you choose Biomedical Engineering as your major?
Because it combines traditional sciences with the problem-solving style of engineering. It's also a growing field, with a diverse set of options to pursue. My concentration is in biomechanics, partly because of my athletic background.
 
Are you involved in any campus groups tied to your studies?
I am an upperclassman mentor through BMES and I have also been participating in a remote internship during both semesters this year.