NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State volleyball standouts Stef Jankiewicz and Kaylee Martin spent the weekend of Feb. 21-23 at the U.S. Women's National Team Open Tryouts in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The pair participated in four sessions over the course of the three-day tryout, directed by national team head coach Karch Kiraly and his staff.
We sat down with Jankiewicz and Martin when they arrived back in Normal to talk about their experience at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center (OPTC).
Q&A Session w/ Stef Jankiewicz (SJ) and Kaylee Martin (KM):
Q: What was the most exciting part of the U.S. Women's National Team tryout?
SJ: The most exciting part of the tryout was being able to play with student-athletes from all over the country. I was able to adjust to new player tempos, and that really challenged me as a setter and player.
KM: The most exciting part was seeing, and playing with, so many other athletes. It took me back to my club volleyball days, where the gym was full of so many volleyball players attending a variety of schools.
Q: What is something you learned at the tryout that you're excited to bring back to Redbird Volleyball?
SJ: I learned how important it is to find solutions out of chaotic situations. It was important to remember that I didn't have to be perfect every play, but I did have to make difficult situations better.
KM: One thing that I learned is volleyball is a game of errors, and even at the Olympic level, they do not train to be perfect. They train to be good at what they do.
Q: What was the biggest surprise about the experience?
SJ: One of the biggest surprises was the format of the tryout. There were certain skills that were emphasized there, which I didn't really expect. It was nice because most of these skills were ones that we emphasize in our gym, so I wasn't thrown off-guard, even though it was unexpected.
Q: What was the most challenging part of the tryout?
SJ: The most challenging part of the tryout was trying not to compare yourself with the amazing athletes that you were around. There were players from a lot of elite programs around the country, so it was important for me to remember that I earned to be there just like they did, and that it doesn't matter where you come from, it only matters what you have to show.
KM: The most challenging part would be how quickly I needed to adapt to change. We moved from court-to-court, with different people on our teams each time, with different drills. Being a hitter and adjusting to so many different setters in such a short time was challenging.
Q: What did it mean to you to be able to represent Redbird Volleyball at such a prestigious event?
SJ: I loved being able to represent Redbird Volleyball. I was even more proud when people would recognize me for being a Redbird. It showed me that our program is known to others, and we are making a statement around the country. I was able to remind other athletes that we are a school that is ready to compete at any level.
KM: Every time you get to represent your school, it's amazing, but to represent Redbird Volleyball at that level is something I will never forget. The support from my coaches, teammates and community made it an unforgettable experience.
Q: How were you able to rely on what you have learned at Illinois State to help you excel at the tryout?
SJ: Redbird Volleyball really helped prepare me for the tryout, because it is a competitive gym 24/7. We are always striving to give 110% so I was ready to give that for the three-day tryout, every session. Our gym is also extremely aggressive, and no one plays safe; so, it was exciting to take risks in a different environment.
KM: Coach Johnson and my teammates always strive to live out the Redbird Standard and our three core values of service, tradition and growth. Being expected to perform at your highest level at Illinois State, not just in games, but practice, was definitely something that helped me through the tryout process.
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