Nadia Edwards has won an NCAA Championship, played professional volleyball both in Europe and the United States and now is in the midst of her first season as assistant coach for the Ohio volleyball team. Recently, she sat down with The Post's Katie Carrera to talk about her own volleyball career, places to eat in Athens and what it is like to square up against the Bobcats in practice.
The Post: I know you went to Penn State, are you still a Nittany Lions fan?
Edwards: Of course, the football team is doing well, so what can you do? It's Happy Valley.
The Post: You've been around volleyball for a long time, what was your favorite moment?
Edwards: I'd have to say when (Penn State) won the national championship, it was in Hawaii - the perfect setting - and it was our third time around being in the finals. So that easily is the best moment in my career.
The Post: Who or what was it in your life that convinced you to pursue volleyball?
Edwards: I would have to say my club coach my eighth-grade year, she kind of turned me on to it. Before I started playing club it was a leisure sport. I played basketball and volleyball and track like young kids do, but she was the one who tuned me into volleyball, and I started playing volleyball full time. We were doing tournaments, and the next thing you know, I got to play on the youth national team for a couple years. Playing at that level - that just really got things going for me and I knew that was what I wanted to stick with.
The Post: What was playing for the St. Louis Quest like?
Edwards: That was right out of college, so I graduated from Penn State and went to the Quest in December. I think that at every single level I start over, learning a different spot, different position or getting to know people and learning about your surroundings. But it was a great opportunity because a lot of the great players I had been seeing across the net while I was at Penn State - girls from Florida, Long Beach and Stanford - played all on the same team so it was neat to collaborate all those teams together and have them play on one team in one league.
The Post: Where is your favorite place to eat in Athens?
Edwards: I like the Bagel Street Deli. We've been to Brennan's a little bit and I'm torn. (Brennan's) is our pre-game spot and I get my chai chillers there, but I think the Bagel Street Deli is pretty unique, although it's just sandwiches, it's different.
The Post: I know our volleyball players get pretty revved up to play against the coaches in practice, is that just as exciting for you?
Edwards: I think it's definitely fun for me to be across the net. It's not like reliving my experience or anything - it's helping them out, teaching them 'OK, the other side is going to hit this shot,' so creating that atmosphere for them makes it easier for them to do what they need to do.
I like the energy that I bring out there, sometimes I get a little fiery, and when they block me they get excited, and I want that because that's the attitude they should have. They should get excited when they block somebody or shut somebody down when playing an opponent. So if it's going to be me I'll step up and take that position.
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