Aug. 29, 2012
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Erin Leppek recently sat down with Hawkeyesports.com. Leppek, and fellow sophomores Alessandra Dietz and Alex Lovell, will be returning to their home state this weekend when Iowa travels to the Oakland Tournament in Rochester, Mich.
What led you to Iowa City and the Hawkeye volleyball program during the recruiting process?
“I saw the city and it just reminded me so such of home, so I knew I really wanted to go here. It is a great school.”
What is it like working with coach Dingman and the coaching staff?
“It’s great. They know how to mix in fun drills with ones that really test your skills and your hard work.”
Do you have any superstitions?
“I always put my left sock and my left shoe on first.”
Who is your favorite professional athlete?
“Usain Bolt because he has swag. He knows how to win, and he knows he’s good and has a lot of confidence. I think our team would do really well with confidence like that.”
What facet of your game has improved the most since spring and what are you working on the most heading into the fall?
“I’ve improved a lot in passing since the spring. Last fall I played middle, this year I’m playing more right side. I’ve definitely gotten a lot better at passing, and I continue working on blocking and hitting.”
What is your favorite food/meal?
“My favorite food is corn on the cob, which it took me a whole year to get Iowa corn, so I was kind of disappointed with that. My favorite meal would probably be a big steak and potatoes.”
Is there any significance to the jersey number you wear?
“I wear number 11. I guess I prefer odd numbers. I graduated in 2011, so I guess that’s significant.”
How different was camp this time around as a sophomore, opposed to as a freshman?
“As a sophomore I knew more what to expect, whereas a freshman you just go in and you have no idea what’s going on and you’re just watching everyone else trying to follow along. Now I know what I’m doing and I can definitely lead the drills more.”
What is your favorite TV show?
“My favorite TV show is probably House.”
Who is the most influential person in your life?
“The most influential person in my life is my mom because she always taught me to do your best and that’s what I try to do every day.”
What is your favorite movie?
“My favorite movie is She’s the Man.”
What did you do during your free time over the summer?
“During our free time this summer we went to the “Res” (Coralville Reservoir) a couple of times, to the beach. I took some naps. I took summer school, so it was kind of busy.”
What is your favorite restaurant in the Iowa City area?
My favorite food place would probably be Yotopia; frozen yogurt or ice cream.