Catching Up
Introduction
As we continue to honor our alumni and keep them involved of what is happening with Virginia Elite, we return to yet another season of Catching Up. This month's alumni is Theresa Harvey, Class of 2009, and a student-athlete at Iona College.
Catching Up with Theresay Harvey, Class of 2009
Theresa Harvey, Virginia Elite Class of 2009, is a starting outside hitter for Iona College, a D-I school in New Rochelle, NY. She is a four year veteran of Virginia Elite and played on four straight regional championship teams from 2006-2009 and was a dual sport athlete in swimming and volleyball during her high school career. After returning from the pool, she stopped by our website to answer the Alumni Association’s questions in this month's edition of Catching Up.
VA Elite Alumni Association (VEAA): What is the biggest difference between club and college?
Theresa Harvey, Class of 2009 (TH ’09): The biggest difference is probably the speed of the offense. Every team has a solid and quick offense that makes it tough for the other team's defense, especially their blockers, to track.
VEAA: How was it playing against former VA Elite players at the college level?
TH ’09: I played Kelsey Sullivan in a tournament during preseason and it was pretty weird just knowing that we were at a totally different level than when we used to play against each other in club two years ago.
TH ’09: I played Kelsey Sullivan in a tournament during preseason and it was pretty weird just knowing that we were at a totally different level than when we used to play against each other in club two years ago.
VEAA: In HS you were an All-State swimmer and played club volleyball - will you be a two sport athlete in college?
TH ’09: Yes, in fact, I had my first meet a few days ago. I don't get many chances to swim during volleyball season because volleyball is the main priority, but when volleyball is over swimming will be my main focus. It's really hard to handle both sports because I get exhausted, but I've been playing both sports during the same season for years so hopefully I'll be able to handle it just as well!
TH ’09: Yes, in fact, I had my first meet a few days ago. I don't get many chances to swim during volleyball season because volleyball is the main priority, but when volleyball is over swimming will be my main focus. It's really hard to handle both sports because I get exhausted, but I've been playing both sports during the same season for years so hopefully I'll be able to handle it just as well!
VEAA: What was it like playing in your first college match?
TH ’09: My first college match was against Texas A&M and it was in their new arena. It was their season opener and the whole band, along with many fans, came. I was extremely nervous and I felt very small. However, all I wanted to do was to play, so I went out and played hard, despite all the butterflies in my stomach. We ended up losing in 3, but the first game's score was super close, 25-27.
TH ’09: My first college match was against Texas A&M and it was in their new arena. It was their season opener and the whole band, along with many fans, came. I was extremely nervous and I felt very small. However, all I wanted to do was to play, so I went out and played hard, despite all the butterflies in my stomach. We ended up losing in 3, but the first game's score was super close, 25-27.
VEAA: How do you balance academics and volleyball?
TH ’09: At a small div I school, it isn't too hard for me to balance academics and volleyball. I make sure I go to all classes unless we have a conflict with a game, and in that case we get excused. I haven't fallen behind (yet) because I get my homework done, usually after night practice or before a class. I almost always have to take a nap in between my last class and practice because I'm always beat.
TH ’09: At a small div I school, it isn't too hard for me to balance academics and volleyball. I make sure I go to all classes unless we have a conflict with a game, and in that case we get excused. I haven't fallen behind (yet) because I get my homework done, usually after night practice or before a class. I almost always have to take a nap in between my last class and practice because I'm always beat.
VEAA: How did VA Elite prepare you for college?
TH ’09: VA elite has gotten me in shape for college ball. Even though the game is much harder at a college level, I feel like I can keep up in practices, for the most part. Towards the end of last year's season we started lifting once a week, and I have never lifted before that, so that helped prepare me for the weight lifting part of college volleyball too.
TH ’09: VA elite has gotten me in shape for college ball. Even though the game is much harder at a college level, I feel like I can keep up in practices, for the most part. Towards the end of last year's season we started lifting once a week, and I have never lifted before that, so that helped prepare me for the weight lifting part of college volleyball too.
VEAA: What's the one piece of advice you would give to the current VA Elite players?
TH ’09: My advice is to never think you're not good enough or too short to play college volleyball. As long as your give it your all and stay focused on your dream to play in college, you will succeed. Go into every day of practice wanting to get better and looking for new things to perfect.
TH ’09: My advice is to never think you're not good enough or too short to play college volleyball. As long as your give it your all and stay focused on your dream to play in college, you will succeed. Go into every day of practice wanting to get better and looking for new things to perfect.
VEAA: What is your greatest memory of VA Elite?
TH ’09: My greatest memory is definitely winning regionals this past spring. We had many injuries and illnesses prior to the tournament (and even right before the final match), but we stayed focused on our goal to win. We played smart throughout the day, and despite playing with a random line-up in the final match, we played with so much heart, energy, and just had a blast beating the team that underestimated us. It was truly an underdog moment and I won't ever forget it.
TH ’09: My greatest memory is definitely winning regionals this past spring. We had many injuries and illnesses prior to the tournament (and even right before the final match), but we stayed focused on our goal to win. We played smart throughout the day, and despite playing with a random line-up in the final match, we played with so much heart, energy, and just had a blast beating the team that underestimated us. It was truly an underdog moment and I won't ever forget it.
VEAA: Do you keep in touch with your club teammates?
TH ’09: Yes, we keep in touch through facebook messaging. It's good to hear from everybody and to feel what they are going through. During preseason we all messaged each other and described how hard it was and how beat up we were. We even told each other our horrible freshman duties (Krysta had it the worst).
TH ’09: Yes, we keep in touch through facebook messaging. It's good to hear from everybody and to feel what they are going through. During preseason we all messaged each other and described how hard it was and how beat up we were. We even told each other our horrible freshman duties (Krysta had it the worst).
VEAA: How did you feel when you started your first college match?
TH ’09: Starting in my first college match was a really exciting, but scary experience. If I were only focused on the game that I knew and played for so long, it wouldn't have been a big deal, but because we were in such a huge arena with the band in our faces and the crowd so close, I got extremely nervous. But even though I was nervous, it was really exciting and a lot of fun to play against, and with, upperclassmen in my first match.
