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As the daughter of a congressman, first-year Tess Udall is adapting to live away from home during an election year. A member of the volleyball team, Udall and her teammates will head to Clemson and Georgia Tech this weekend for matches on Friday and Saturday night, respectively. First serve in both of the contests are scheduled for 7 p.m.
Question: When were you first introduced to volleyball?
Udall: I started playing volleyball the summer before my freshman year of high school. My mom made me go to Colorado University volleyball camp so I would have something to do in the summer. I hated it at first, but then I started to like it more and more.
Question: How has your family impacted you as a player?
Udall: My family has had a huge impact on me as a player in countless ways. If I had to pick the main one, I would say their unconditional support and love has always been the most important.
Question: Your father, Mark, is a Congressman from Colorado. What is it like to be the daughter of a congressman?
Udall: It’s a lot less glamorous than it sounds. There are definitely cool perks that come with it, but I mostly just think of it as my dad’s job, not anything too special. He has been in elected office since I was six, so it has been a part of my life for a long time.
Question: What are the most interesting things you’ve been involved in?
Udall: There haven’t been as many as people might think. But, I’ve met a few celebrities and a lot of distinguished public servants from every level of politics, which is pretty cool. The most interesting event I went to was the White House Christmas Party a couple years ago.
Question: How much of a difference is there between an election year and a non-election year in your household?
Udall: It depends on the competitiveness of the election. We are always extremely busy, but election years are definitely much crazier, more scheduled and more visible.
Question: Have you had much involvement with your dad’s campaigning?
Udall: Normally I spend more time campaigning with my dad than I have this year because I haven’t been home in several months. My parents have always been great about letting us decide the level of involvement and visibility my brother and I want to have, which has allowed us to balance the intensity of a senatorial or congressional campaign season with our normal lives fairly well.
Question: What would you do with a day off?
Udall: I would probably hang out with my friends and watch old Disney movies all day.
Question: What is something interesting that most people wouldn’t be able to guess about you?
Udall: I used to eat pickles by the jar in high school.