Q&A with Emily Rottman

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Sophomore Emily Rottman (Santa Barbara, Calif.) recently sat down with VirginiaSports.com to discuss the 2011 season. The Cavaliers host Wake Forest (Oct. 7) and Duke (Oct. 8) this weekend at Memorial Gymnasium.

Question: Talk a little bit about last weekend’s tough matches at Maryland and Boston College.
Rottman: The Maryland match was really intense, we played really well at times and had some slumps at the end of the fourth and fifth games, but overall we felt pretty good. It was a devastating way to lose, but we weren’t too upset because we played pretty well. The BC game was frustrating because we felt we were the better team, but we’re just going to work hard in practice this week.

Question: What can you take out of last weekend to use as motivation for the rest of the season?
Rottman: We came together as a team this past weekend. We learned how to overcome difficult situations and high-pressure situations so that will help us out in the future.

Question: After playing most of the season as the libero, you played outside hitter last weekend. What is the biggest difference between playing back row only and playing all-around?
Rottman: Playing all-around you have focus on every aspect of the game. It’s not just passing and digging, it’s adding hitting and blocking, so it’s a lot more pressure. At times it’s fun but I like being able to help the team out in a different way.

Question: Coming from California, what is the biggest difference between the West Coast and the East Coast outside of volleyball?
Rottman: The lack of good Mexican food in Charlottesville.

Question: What brought you from the West Coast to UVa?
Rottman: I wanted to get away from California and get a change in culture and UVa brought that to me.

Question: What is your favorite part of UVa outside of volleyball?
Rottman: I love all the other student-athletes here and I love the academics.

Question: What is your favorite class?
Rottman: International relations class. It makes me think about a broader view of the world and not just my small little world here.

Question: What do you want to accomplish in your four years at UVa?
Rottman: I want to win an ACC Championship.