Joanna Schmitt Online Journal No. 4

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 an 8-3 start to the season. They are coming off three heartbreaking losses to open the Big 12 conference season. As for Schmitt, she has tallied two MVP awards through two non-conference tournaments this season.

Prior to leaving for Baylor on Wednesday, Joanna checked in with SoonerSports.com to talk about the season so far and answers questions from fans.

This is the fourth 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. 4 (September 22, 2004)

Hi everyone. I want to thank everybody who came out for last Friday's (Sept. 17) game. It was nice to play in front of a big, loud crowd and I look forward to seeing everybody come out throughout the season.

I think we are going to rebound nicely from the loss Friday. Our practices this week were really good. We had a talk Monday after practice about where we wanted this team to go, what we want to do with ourselves and how we need to take more responsibility. I think it really got us focused back on volleyball, instead of the losses and the negative stuff that was going on. I think our focus is back on track and we are refocused and ready to take on Baylor.

Time to answer your questions.......

I am a strong middle hitter for my high school team and I'm getting really strong in the outside and back positions. How do you increase your power when attacking the ball?
Jessica from Grand Prairie, Texas

Power isn't everything Jessica, but it is important. It is very important to be smart and to see the court well. I would encourage you to work on all the shots in your game. As far as power; swing hard and take good rips at the ball. First you want to become a smart hitter and then increase your power by getting a really big approach and use your momentum. It also helps to have a fast arm swing.

Hey Jo! You are a born leader and I think everyone around you feels that as well. How do you feel about having to take this role on your team as a freshman, then sophomore?
Bobbi from Deerfield, Wis.

I really enjoy being a leader of the team. I think it's a challenge especially at my age because I'm not a very experienced leader at this level, but I think my teammates and coaches are doing a really good job of helping me fulfill the role. I think it's also a great role to be in and I wouldn't want it to be any other way.

I know one of the goals for you coming into this year was improving your consistency. How do you attempt to do that and do you feel you have somewhat accomplished that so far?
Chris from Norman, Okla.

Since I've become more consistent this year, I feel less pressure to put the ball away when I get it. I think I'm able to be a smarter hitter based on how improved our defense is. The main way to get consistent is getting more reps in practice.

Congratulations on the great start to the season. I was really pulling for you guys in the Big 12 opener against Texas Tech. What did coach Santiago Restrepo say in the locker room after your first loss? What does he usually say after a win?
Joan from Dallas, Texas

Santiago looks like he might be a little bit feisty after we lose, but he's not. He always focuses on what we needed to do better and he is always encouraging and telling us that our improvement is going to take some time. He is always positive which is good because it keeps us positive and helps us focus on what we need to do better.

Hey Jo, why volleyball over basketball? Was it due to your coach in basketball?
Robyn Usgaard (former high school basketball coach) from Waterloo, Wis.

It was really because of my high school basketball coach that I chose volleyball. I really didn't like him at all; he made me run too many sprints. No, just kidding. I chose volleyball because of less running, in basketball you are going up and down the court all the time. Volleyball is more of a controlled energy and it creates less wear and tear on the body.

Hey Joanna, we all miss you here in Deerfield. You are such a wonderful player and I want to know what you think makes a wonderful player and teammate?
Devlin from Deerfield, Wis.

I miss everyone in Deerfield too and I heard about your season Devlin. I heard that are you doing very well at libero and that's an amazing job, being a freshman on the varsity team. I would say that a good teammate is somebody who always encourages everyone to do their best and is always positive even in tough, tense situations.

Hey Joanna, I saw you on the court the other day and I wanted to let you know that you are beautiful and I wanted to know if you will go out with me?
J.T. Kosler from Iowa City, Iowa

Hey buddy, I'll go out with you anytime.

Well everyone, I have to go catch a plane for Waco, we play Baylor tonight. Our next home match is Wednesday the 29th against Kansas State in the McCasland Field House at 7 p.m. I hope to see everyone there.

- #8 Joanna Schmitt

Ask Joanna a Question | Sooner Online Journals

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