Senior Q&A: Danielle Robinson & Beth Williams
10/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
After weeks of part-time [eight hours per week] practices, consisting largely of conditioning, swim sets and skill work, the Wolverine water polo team officially kicked off its 20-hour practice schedule on Thursday (Oct. 2) under the guidance its new coaching staff -- head coach Dr. Marcelo Leonardi and assistant coach Caitlin Haskell.
On the eve of their ramped-up practice schedule, seniors Danielle Robinson and Elizabeth Williams sat down to talk about U-M's part-time pool work, the new coaching staff and the enthusiasm surrounding the team this fall.
Q: The team is just wrapping up its eight-hour [per week] practices. What exactly has that entailed over the last few weeks?
Beth Williams: Eight hours is mostly about getting in shape. Some girls came back from the summer already in great shape, but some not as much. The eight-hour practices are used to get the team on the same level. It has also been helpful in easing through the coaching change, and it really helps the freshmen figure out how they are going to manage their first year. So, the eight hours is mostly used for management and just getting into the groove for the year.
Q: It seems like a lot of conditioning. Has it been challenging?
BW: Yes, it's been challenging, but it is also really fun. There is a positive attitude around this team and around all the practices we've had. It makes it more enjoyable even when you're feeling discomfort. It has been a challenge and a change, but overall it's been incredibly positive.
Q: Do those early practice set the groundwork before you get into 20 hours? Are you looking forward to getting into those regular practices?
Danielle Robinson: I'm really excited. I always look forward to 20 hours, just because you finally are getting to play the game. You have done all the conditioning. You have made all the small changes, especially with Marcelo going over a lot of positioning and tactical things. Now we get to apply them to real water polo. That's always a lot of fun.
BW: We play the sport because we love it. We're excited to experience new drills that Marcelo will teach us. All of those will make us better at the sport that we love. We are looking forward to getting the balls in the water and to start doing some drills, shooting and passing and making that more of our daily practice schedule.
Q: How are you enjoying the new coaches?
BW: I have really enjoyed getting to know them. We all have a lot more to learn about them, and they have a lot more to learn about us, but the first impression has been great. We are learning a lot right now, which is something that I absolutely love doing.
DR: I love them! I think they are fun. I think they work really well together as a team. Our team really respects them, and we are really looking forward this season with them.
Q: You mentioned that you have been learning a lot. It seems like there is a lot of teaching going on. How has that experience been?
DR: There is definitely a lot of teaching. It's been a little challenging for me as a senior because I am very set in my ways and habits. Old habits die hard, right? But even as a senior, I am definitely still learning new techniques and new things that Marcelo is bringing to the table. That's been great. I've had a few coaching changes in my collegiate career, so it's not difficult to adapt, and I've learned a lot from it. I think I'm continuing to add more skills to my skill set, and that's going to make me a stronger player.
BW: Every day there is a teaching moment. Some maybe more than others as we're focusing on drills or technique rather than a conditioning set, but every day I feel like I am learning. That's awesome.
Q: During this transition with the new staff, how are you and the juniors contributing as leaders on the team?
BW: I think we're doing a good job stepping up. You see us vocally a lot. In the mornings, we'll get everyone riled up and awake and lead the stretches. But we also try and engage the freshmen and sophomores to get them to lead and be more vocal to see how they communicate to others on the team. We're trying to facilitative leadership right now.
Q: It seems like there is a lot of enthusiasm among the team right now.
BW: It's awesome. We are really positive right now. Part of that might be because we're only in eight hours and not quite as tired, but I don't actually think that's a factor. I think even in 20 hours we're still going to be positive and excited. If, on a particular day, I'm not pumped up for some reason, then I know Presley Pender or Emily Sejna or someone else will be there to help me focus and take it moment by moment. We're all very supportive of each other, even the freshmen; every day they are eager to get in the water, and I love seeing that.
DR: Our team is very vocal, and we support each other a lot. Even in swim sets, you'll always hear someone saying "Go Blue," or "Come on girls, step it up." I think we feed off of each other. We're all just really excited right now -- for 20 hours and the competition schedule next semester. Everything that we've done in eight hours is a steppingstone for what we'll do in 20 hours. As Marcelo says, we're just building on. I think it is the beginning of a really good foundation.
• Previous Q&As: Coach Leonardi | Coach Haskell
