Getting To Know: Gwen Herring, Volleyball

This week, CUBuff.com continues its 'Getting To Know' series with junior Gwen Herring, a defensive specialist from Carlsbad, Calif.

Question: What have you and the team done this off-season to reflect and build off of last seasonGÇÖs efforts?

Answer: We have focused more on ALL of aspects that make up volleyball. We have done a lot more work on defense, blocking and running the middles. Also, every player has been working on every skill set no matter what their position is, which is definitely beneficial.

Q: What can the team do to replace the efforts of the seniors that you lost?

A: Not to worry about shoes having to be filled but to just play their position and to be the best at it.

Q: How did spring drills and practices go? What was the best part?

A: They went really well. The only hard part about them was that we practiced at 6:30 a.m. The best part was been seeing how much we've individually gotten better and how we've gotten better as a team as well. Seeing those improvements really is a confidence booster. Also, we grew a lot closer as friends this spring than ever before, which I think will strengthen our court chemistry.

Q: What are you looking forward to this upcoming season?

A: IGÇÖm looking forward to making more CU volleyball history and to beat the teams we haven't yet in the Pac-12

Q: What is one thing no one knows about the team as a whole or an individual teammate?

A: Before every game we dance to GÇ£Express YourselfGÇ¥ and Joslyn can sing a little bit of opera, which is pretty impressive!

Q: What team do you look forward to playing the most during the Pac-12 season? Why?

A: Stanford...because we were one of the only teams to take them to 5 sets last season and we know we can beat them.

Q: Do you have a favorite non-conference opponent? Who and why?

A: I would want to play Penn State. I have no personal tie to them but they are known as the best volleyball team in the nation and it would be amazing to get a chance to play them and beat them.

Quick Hits

Favorite Athlete: Kerri Walsh
Favorite Food: Sambazon Acai Bowl
Favorite TV Show: Scandal, GreyGÇÖs Anatomy, One Tree Hill
Favorite Movie: Soul Surfer
Favorite Music: Country and todayGÇÖs hip-hop
Favorite Hobby Outside Of Volleyball: Beach Volleyball, I know thatGÇÖs still volleyball but it is a different experience
Favorite Vacations Spot: Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
What is your career plans after volleyball? Either to go overseas and play for a year, jump right into a marketing job or travel
Biggest Fear: Falling through a frozen lake
If you could play another college sport, what would it be? Soccer
If you could have dinner with 3 people, dead or alive, who would they be? Michael Jordan, Angelina Jolie, Bill Gates
Best Volleyball Player Of All-Time: Karch Kiraly
One word to describe yourself: Outgoing
Who is your biggest influence? My mom
Favorite thing about CU Volleyball: It truly is a family
Who are the best singer and dancer on the team? Joslyn is probably the best singer and best dancer definitely goes to Alexis.

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