Q & A with Ashley Howard

As a student at IU Northwest and a top-rate volleyball player, Ashley Howard has proven her mettle. She is the leading blocker in the nation and the captain of this year's RedHawks volleyball squad. I recently sat down with her for an interview about school, life and IU Northwest sports.

Don Sjoerdsma: Where did you grow up?

Ashley Howard: Hammond, IN.

DS: Did you play volleyball in school?

AH: I started in sixth grade at Gavit High School.

How did you first get into volleyball?

My mom got me into it. I really didn't want to play at first, but for some reason she kept stressing me. At first I thought it was going to be so dumb. I said, "Mom, I'm just going to hit a ball back-and-forth over a net." She said, "Just try it. If you don't like it, then you can stop." I was already in softball and basketball, so she didn't want me to play something if I didn't like it.

Well, you've been playing since sixth grade… So obviously something draws you to volleyball. What is that?

I don't know… It's intense. You have to think on your feet.

What separates it from the other sports you were playing?

The teamwork and the feeling you get when you're on the floor. It takes more than being able to hit a ball hard. When I was in sixth grade I used to have to stand against the wall to serve. I was young and didn't have any technique or finesse. I was just rolling on the wall. So, you have to learn little tricks to make it easier.

What's it feel like to be one of the team captains?

It's easy with this group of girls because they're nice. If we have something to say, they listen and they put to use the advice we give them.

What's your role as captain?

To be a good role model and to behave in a way that the university and my coaches and the girls on this team and future teams can admire.

Is it difficult?

It can be at times. You have your moments where you feel so tired you may not want to go to practice, but you have to keep the right mindset and keep pushing through for yourself and for the team.

How do you get mentally prepared for a game?

I like to think out what's going to happen during the game. I like to do a fast-forward in my head of all the things that will be happening on the court.

What music do you listen to before a game?

A lot of rap like Jay-Z and T.I., and some rock music like Paramore.

What lessons have you learned since you started playing volleyball?

Out of all the sports I've played, volleyball is the one I had to do the most conditioning for. I really hate to exercise and I hate running. In volleyball you have to run a mile each week which seemed ridiculous to me. It seemed weird that I have to do all this just to run around a court hitting a ball. But you have to stay strong mentally and keep pushing. That's what I've learned. Now it's a little easier when I work out on my own.

What makes a winning volleyball team?

Chemistry and teamwork. A good volleyball team has to be full of players who really like each other. You can't have ten or twelve girls with extremely opposite attitudes. It's not going to flow on the court.

You still hate running as much as you did when you were younger?

Oh yeah… I really hate running.

As a RedHawk, what's your greatest accomplishment?

To date, my greatest accomplishment is being rated number 1 in the nation in blocks.

What other accomplishments are you most proud of?

I made the dean's list my freshman year, and I was really happy about that. That was something I'll probably never forget. I just like doing my best all around.

What's your major?

Physical therapy.

How do you see your major tying into volleyball?

I actually got into physical therapy because I tore my ACL when I was a freshman in high school. I heard people talking about how much they hated going though physical therapy but I loved it. The therapists were really, really nice and they knew that I was an athlete and it wasn't that I didn't want to be around them, but I was working to get my knee better so I could eligible to play again. They pushed me and were totally on my side. That's what really made me interested.

What are your hobbies? What do you do on your free time?

I like to go out with my friends and my boyfriend.

Well, what's a night out for you?

We'd probably go to Fridays and to a movie. And then we'd hang out at somebody's house.

What is your favorite movie?

I have a couple. I hate to say this is my favorite because I like so many, but I thought the movie "Defiance" was amazing. It was great from beginning to end. "The Hangover" was really funny.

Any favorite TV shows?

I'm obsessed with "Friends." I love "Army Wives," and I classify myself as a Reality TV Freak. If something is on reality TV, I'll watch it, especially the MTV shows.

What are your plans for after you graduate?

I am going to physical therapy school. Hopefully IUN gets the hospital equipped for the physical therapy program; then, I'll be going here.

What advice would you give to future RedHawk volleyball players?