Junior Kristina Johnson Answers Your Questions
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 | Volleyball
Before each home match, a different Florida volleyball player answers fans' questions. They will be posted in the "Features" section of GatorZone.com following the match. Got a question for a Gator player? Send it to SeanCa@gators.uaa.ufl.edu.
Q: What has the recovery from your ACL injury been like and how happy are you to be back on the court?
A: “It has definitely been a transition. Working through the soreness has probably been one of the biggest challenges, but I'm really glad to be back playing volleyball.”
Q: What has been your favorite road trip so far as a Gator?
A: “I always enjoy when we play closer to home so that my parents can come to watch. I'd say that every year when we play at Kentucky and Tennessee is my favorite road trip because my parents are always able to come to those matches.”
Q: What is your major and what do you hope to do following your volleyball career?
A: “My major is family, youth and community sciences. My plan after graduation is to move back home to Indianapolis. My parents have a not-for-profit organization called Helping Hands and I'm planning on working for them. It focuses on inner-city youth and single moms. My dad is also a motivational speaker, so he and my brother get to speak all across the country.”
Q: What has it been like to be a leader on this team with so many young players?
A: “It's been fun, especially with all of the young players. It's a different role from my role last year, so it has been a learning experience for me to be able to help my teammates, but it has been fun.”
Q: What is the best part of blocking for you?
A: “Getting a stuff block is always really exciting and then after the block, I turn to my teammates and we're always encouraging and supporting each other.”
Q: What is the best part of playing volleyball at Florida for you?
A: “All of the fan support and just all of the connections that the Gator Nation has are the best things about being at Florida. After college, we're bound to be successful no matter what we do.”
Q: What have been your favorite volleyball memories both before coming to UF and since you've been here?
A: “Before coming to college, my favorite volleyball memory was my club team getting second at nationals. Since I've been here, just being able to play in the O'Dome for every match has been great. Last year vs. Oklahoma was one of the most fun matches that I've been a part of as a Gator.”
Q: What is the hardest part of being a student-athlete at a high level?
A: “I think just all of the demands we have - school, volleyball, tutors and things like that. But it's a lot of fun at the same time.”
