Joanna Schmitt Online Journal No. 7

NORMAN, Okla. --
Oklahoma outside hitter Joanna Schmitt continues her player journal to take fans behind the scenes as the Sooners attack the 2004 season. The Sooners are off to a 9-8 start. As for Schmitt, she has tallied two MVP awards during the non-conference season and is ranked 10th in the Big 12 with 3.91 kills per game.

Before she left to help the Sooners try to continue their winning ways, Joanna checked in with SoonerSports.com to talk about the season so far and answers questions from fans. This is the seventh installment of Joanna's journal. There is a link at the bottom of the page so you can submit questions for Joanna to reply to in her next entry.

Joanna Schmitt
Journal No. 7 (October 20, 2004)

Hello fans! Thank you for your support and thanks to all of you that showed up for our game against Colorado last Saturday. It was a huge win for us and we look to add another win tonight against Kansas.

Our volleyball program is definitely headed in the right direction. Last Saturday was a great win against a good team, so that was positive. After the game in the locker room, it was very positive atmosphere, but we still all looked at where we need to get better and how we can improve before our next game.

I think everybody really stepped up and took care of their responsibilities. Everyone played really great defense, we out dug the other team and we put the ball away in crucial times. It was a total team effort.

Time for some questions...

What changed in the win against Colorado? How were you able to turn the tide against a very good team?
John from Norman, Okla.

I just think that we came out fired up and ready to go. We got a day off so everybody was a little more excited about the opportunity to play. Santiago said he might give us a day off every week now.

Tell me about Julie Chester. What does she bring to the table? I was there Saturday and thought that she really came into her own against the Buffaloes, would you agree?
Sally from Tulsa, Okla.

Julie Chester did a great job Saturday night and she has gotten things together. She is definitely coming into her own. She has a great volleyball mind. She can talk volleyball with the best of them. She knows where the blockers are going and their tendencies. That allows her to set up the hitters for the best possible hit.

Joanna, who is your favorite pro volleyball player? Beach or Indoor.
Nicole from St. Louis, Mo.

I would have to say Misty May because she is short and still excels at what she does.

Joanna, my coach says that I am extremely good at setting the ball, but I want to go up and spike it in someone's face, do you have any advice.
Jessica from Oklahoma City, Okla.

Jessica you should work on every aspect of your game, not just setting. You should work on hitting before practice or after practice. You should take any chance you can to improve your all around skills.

Hey JoJo, how did Santiago getting his red and yellow cards affect the team last Saturday? Did it get you pumped up or what?
Andre from Inglewood, Calif.

It didn't really affect us that much and I don't think anybody really thought about it after it happened. I think everybody just refocused and was concerned about winning the match.

Well that's about it for now, I have to head over to the Field House for our game tonight against Kansas. Don't forget that we play Texas at home next Wednesday at 7 p.m. Please continue to come out and support us.

- #8 Joanna Schmitt

Ask Joanna a Question | Sooner Online Journals

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