Serving and Passing: Liz Raschke to Sarah Draves
9/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
"Serving and Passing" allows a U-M volleyball player to interview another for MGoBlue.com and ask several stock questions along with a few of her own. Each week one Wolverine will "serve" up questions and then "pass" the tape recorder and reporter's hat to the interviewee, who will select a subject for the following week, when she becomes the interviewer. Check back every Wednesday for a new installment.
In this week's late installment of "Serving and Passing," junior setter and defensive specialist Liz Raschke interviews senior right-side hitter Sarah Draves.
How did you get started in volleyball
My mom was a super fan and she dragged me to Michigan volleyball games as a youngster.
What are some of your routines on game day or during matches
Well, Liz, as you know, I graciously let you give me an extended shoulder massage, allow you to tie my hair ribbon, and require you to hit me with some of your extra-special "Liz-ness" before each game.
Raschke (left) and Draves
What is your favorite non-volleyball Michigan memory
There are so many to choose from! I would have to say spring term -- with its many opportunities to play other sports (badly), lay out on the soccer field in the afternoons, and basically behave as a normal college student.
What is the one piece of advice you would give to young girls who want to play
Do it because you love it, and when it gets tough work through it because of what you love.
What are your plans after graduation
I'm planning on going into Christian ministry. Don't ask me what that means exactly. That's what I'm supposed to figure out this year.
Now Draves, it is apparent that you are in the upper echelon of Harry Potter theorists nationwide. How do you think Harry Potter relates to our 2007 volleyball team, and if you could pick one spell to describe us, what would it be and why
This is a challenging question, Liz. I would have to say that like Harry Potter, the Michigan volleyball team must constantly fight against the forces of evil in our world today. Like Harry, who must repeatedly come face to face with Lord Voldemort, the Michigan volleyball players time and time again come up against the nemeses of morning conditioning, heavy weightlifting, and hours of completely defensively-focused practices. Were I to pick one spell to describe us, I would have to say "rictusempra," which is of course the tickling spell, because our time together is almost exclusively filled with shouts of raucous laughter.
Draves -- nature ... or nurture
Ordinarily I would not answer such a politically charged and emotionally heated question, but because you are in my inner circle of trust, Liz, I will acquiesce with your request. Nurture.
Draves, you are sicknasty at volleyball, and we all have seen the aftermath of your out-of-this-world field hockey goalie skills, but if you could play neither of these sports at the U-M, which sport would you play and why
If I had better cardiovascular capacity, I would probably play a sport with more running than volleyball, perhaps basketball. I just wouldn't be very good at it.
You are obviously the best at the recently created, Kerry "Firebolt" Hance cheer. In three words, explain how you got so good.
I got game.
Well, Draves, I have seen your extreme dancing skills, and just recently was graced with your angelic singing voice. I feel like you have many other hidden talents, many of which I feel may still be unknown to you. What do you think was one of your most interesting passions/talents in a previous life
Well Liz, I love animals. It would not surprise me to discover that I was an elite horse-whisperer in another life.
I have one last question for you, Draves. Lately we have been discussing when we first became friends. It got me thinking -- of all the people that I have met so far in college, you (by a grand margin) have the largest group of tight-knit friends, and none of you knew each other before college. What are your secrets to social success
Well, Liz, the main thing that comes to mind is the word "grace." I know my friends aren't perfect, and they know I'm not either (surprise!), so when I do something that may let someone else down, she extends me grace and lets it go. When I say "grace," I mean they don't expect me to be anything more than an imperfect friend to them, and as a result, we are closer than a lot of friends I've had because there are no unrealistic expectations hanging over our friendships. Does that make sense
That makes perfect sense! Especially since I have been lucky enough to witness things firsthand. Draves, you nailed your interview, and it has really been my pleasure, but any time I get to spend with you is always a true pleasure! Remember what I've been telling you, take a fifth year!
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