Illinois volleyball attended the second annual Big Ten media day for volleyball, bringing head coach Chris Tamas, senior outside hitter Raina Terry and redshirt sophomore setter Brooke Mosher to Chicago for the event.
Terry, who was recently named to the preseason All-Conference team for the Big Ten, spoke alongside Mosher and Tamas, focusing on her expectations, the success she has had during her time with the program and her role as a leader on the team.
Terry spoke about her anticipations for the season, speaking on the new additions to the program.
“I think all the freshmen that we have, and the transfer, they’re awesome, they came in and worked so hard in the summer,” Terry said. “I think you can anticipate a really good season, we have a lot of fire we can give each other every day, no matter the competition.”
Terry also talked about her own expectations, especially after accumulating a couple of honors from the Big Ten.
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“I always hold myself to a high standard, I get very upset when I don’t reach that standard,” Terry said. “I just try and come in, work my best every single day. My teammates helped me get those things, I couldn’t have done that without Diana (Brown) last year, and Brooke is going to help me a lot this year.”
The 6-foot-3 senior discussed her role as a leader on the team and how she chooses to lead.
“I try my best to lead by example both on and off the court,” Terry said. “You have to get the things right off the court, if you want to be good on the court.”
She followed up immediately by speaking highly of Mosher, who was seated adjacent to her at the podium.
“Brooke is doing a great job of stepping into this new leadership role,” Terry said. “I’ve definitely noticed her talking a lot more in the gym and she’s getting pretty fired up.”
Like Mosher, Terry ended her comments with discussion about her experience as a student-athlete, specifically at Illinois, praising the coaching staff as well.
“I think being a student-athlete is a great experience, you have to learn a lot really quickly because we arrive in the summer, school starts in the fall, and that’s during our season,” Terry said. “We have to learn how to balance everything and it can be a lot. But as you go, you learn and I think it’s a valuable tool to have. Chris is awesome too. Krista, Eli and Jen, they’re the best coaching staff I could have ever asked for. They make the transition so much easier.”
Terry’s senior season will begin on Aug. 26 in DeKalb against Northern Illinois.
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