Q-and-A: Rachael Bedell

Rachael Bedell recently sat down with Hawkeyesports.com. Bedell and the Hawkeyes travel to Milwaukee for their final nonconference tournament this weekend. The junior, who was named to the all-tournament team at the Golden Grizzly Invitational earlier this year, ranks second on the team with 115 blocks.

What is it like working with coach Dingman and the coaching staff?
“It’s really good. I think they are all really different types of coaches. They all have their own critiques so you know who to go to when there is one specific question you have.”

Who is the most influential person in your life?
“My mom. She is a nurse practitioner and works with people who have cancer every single day. I admire the strength that she pulls through every day. Every day she comes home and is happy no matter what she had to go through at work. She is always telling me not to let things get me down, whether it’s a bad ball, bad practice, or a bad day, no matter what just pull through.”

What led you to Iowa City and the Hawkeye volleyball program during the recruiting process?
“A big part of it was obviously the volleyball program. Iowa also has a great journalism program. When I came on a visit and got to see the journalism program and meet the girls and the coaching staff, it sold me. Iowa City itself is awesome.”

What is your favorite place to be on campus?
“Starbucks.”

What facet of your game has improved the most since spring and what are you working on the most heading into the fall?
“I have improved the most on the mental areas of my game. Heading into fall I am working on keeping the communication up with the team, and staying mentally stable throughout the entire match. I don’t want to let individual balls frustrate me, things like that.”

What’s the goal for 2012?
“NCAA Tournament.”

Is there any significance to the jersey number you wear?
“I am actually a really big Duke basketball fan and No. 32 is the number Christian Laettner wore.”

As a junior, how do you help lead the freshmen and sophomores?
“Part of it is going through little things Sharon (Dingman) likes us to do. Another part is getting them used to higher level volleyball. It’s a completely different level between high school and college.”

Who is your favorite professional athlete?
“LeBron James.”

What is your favorite TV show?
“ESPN’s SportsCenter.”

What did you do during your free time over the summer?
“I worked for the Daily Iowan, and I worked at the restaurant BlackStone. When I wasn’t there I went to the “Res” (Coralville Reservoir) and got as much sun as possible.”

What is your favorite movie?
“More Than a Game. It’s LeBron James’ documentary.”

What is your favorite restaurant in the Iowa City area?
“BlackStone.”