Q&A With The New Volleyball Coach

NORMAN, Okla. -- New Oklahoma volleyball head coach Santiago Restrepo has been in Norman since January. Since his first day on campus he has been anxiously awaiting Aug. 11. Today the anxiety will ease and the work will begin.

Wednesday morning the new-look Sooner volleyball team hits the court at Howard McCasland Field House for its first two-a-day of the Restrepo era. It promises to be a different atmosphere. Restrepo emphasizes conditioning and passion, two things he hopes to instill in his young team from day one.

The volleyball squad will practice twice daily until the start of school on Aug. 23. Restrepo and company will open the season against Providence in the Holiday Inn UTPA Invitational on Sept. 3.

Below is a transcript from an interview conducted by SoonerSports.com on Aug. 8:

What has been the biggest adjustment from Southern Mississippi?
“The rules that are applied to the conference are different from what I'm used to dealing with. My times on when to start is set by the conference, which is something I'm not too happy about, but it's the same for all the teams in the conference.”

What has been the biggest surprise?
“The support from the administration. It is a really good surprise. They are very supportive. Everybody in the athletics department does a really good job of giving the most support they can.”

What was the main objective in your first off season at OU?
“The first thing we need to do is establish a very good work ethic. Establish a system that we want to run with the players that are here and the players that will come. That is first and foremost. That is an ongoing process, which we'll continue to work on through camp.”

Who improved the most this spring?
“Jennifer Adams really developed. She is jumping a lot higher. Sheena Werling did an extremely good job. She is already a good athlete, but she did a really good job at the outside. Stephanie Tengram did a really good job at libero.”

What was the biggest team improvement in the spring?
“I thought there was a lot of improvement in many areas this spring. It showed in not only beating teams that we previously lost to, but also how they responded on the court even if we lost.”

What are your expectations for the fall?
“Win. One of our goals is to be in the top half of the conference. That may be a lofty goal and it will be tough. I think that we will be capable of doing it because nobody in this conference respects us as far as volleyball goes, so I think people will be surprised.”

Who do you see as the potential leaders of this young team?
“It is really hard to tell because in the spring the vocal leader was Joanna Schmitt and she wasn't playing. I really didn't see anybody stepping up, so it will be interesting to see who steps into that role.”

How anxious are you to start the season?
“I can't wait. I wish we started tomorrow. I know that we're going to be better and we're going to fight. Whether we win or lose doesn't matter, what matters is if you go out fighting.”

What do your assistant coaches bring to the table?
“They are both very different in their own ways. Kelly (Files) being a female is going to be able to relate more with the players. In certain situations, they may feel more comfortable talking with her. She is a very driven person and she is very good at the administration part of the program. She also has played and will bring good skills to the court."

Steve (Loeswick) with his experience in coaching and playing brings a lot to the table. When we scrimmage we can put him there and he can provide a competitive level that is better than any player in the conference. That will be good for the number one team to go against him and defend him. He is also the calmest of the coaching staff. That will be very important because we have offsetting personalities. I am very vocal and fiery, while he speaks with his actions first. The hot and cool personalities should have a positive and balancing effect on the team.”

You were picked last in the Big 12 Coaches Preseason Poll, are you disappointed?
"No, in a way I am glad we were picked last in the poll. It that doesn't give any fuel to our players, I don't know what would. That is the great thing about coaching. I don't have to fire them up. If that poll doesn't motivate them, then they don't have a heartbeat."

Your coaching philosophy starts with defense, why?
"The sport is 80 percent defense and 20 percent offense. If we are going to win this season, we have to do three things well. We have to serve, defend and pass extremely well. I am not happy with where this team is at in any of those areas, but that is what training camp is for."

So will this team even hit the first week of training camp?
"Not much. It isn't high on the list of priorities. We'll hit some because its natural for players to get excited about offense, but I want to generate that same passion towards defense."

What is the biggest surprise awaiting the team as training camp begins?
"It is going to be a rude awakening. Some of them worked with me in the spring but we will take things to a whole new level in conditioning and intensity."

What coach has had the greatest influence on you as a coach?
"My coach when I played for the Colombian National Team. He was the hardest person I have ever met. He showed me a passion and intensity for the sport, which is something I will try to translate to my team at Oklahoma. I want to see passion, intensity and desire and then, everything will fall into place."

Could you pencil in a starting six right now?
"I have no idea right now. Everything is up for grabs and everyone comes in with an equal opportunity. Talk to me in a week into camp and I will hopefully have a better idea."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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