Junior middle blocker Jane Sytsma is a consistent physical force at the net for the Bobcats. She took some time off the court to talk about volleyball, her ever-expanding family and other topics with The Post's Rob Mixer.
The Post: What was it like growing up in Madison, Wisc.?
Jane Sytsma: It was definitely an experience. I mean it's so different. We would witness like five feet of snow. I've been through all of that. The cold weather is a lot different from Athens, and there's more to worry about. I've noticed that there aren't any snowplows here ' that's the biggest difference. But Madison is definitely a college town, and the town itself is a lot like Athens.
Post: When did the OU coaching staff start recruiting you?
Sytsma: I was in high school when they started recruiting me; I think I was a freshman at the time. I definitely didn't know right away (that they were looking). I was one of the late ones. I changed my mind once I came on a visit here.
Post: What's the best thing about playing volleyball at Ohio?
Sytsma: I love the atmosphere. I really love it here ' I have no regrets that I chose to play here. I always tell all of the recruits about it, and that none of us have any regrets about coming here. The atmosphere (at The Convo) and all of the fans are great.
Post: What other sports did you play growing up?
Sytsma: (Laughs) Um, I did play basketball. G? I also played tennis and Frisbee, which seems really odd, but I liked it. With basketball, the contact really got me. I was always the one who fouled out at halftime. I had to find something where the other team was on the other side of the court where I couldn't touch them.
Post: Do you have any other hobbies outside of volleyball?
Sytsma: I really love to watch movies.
Post: Any favorite movies?
Sytsma: There are a lot of them, but I'd say The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption are my two favorites.
Post: What might other people not know about you?
Sytsma: I have an ever-growing number of family members. My parents are involved with foster care, and right now I'm up to nine siblings. Four of them are biological and four are adopted, and we also have two children that are strictly from foster care. We have a whole variety ' some are older, some are younger.
Post: After graduation, what are you looking to do?
Sytsma: Well, my major is accounting, so I will have taken my Certified Public Accountant exam by then. I should have a job by the winter quarter after my senior year. I think I want to end up in Chicago, so it's kind of in between the two ' halfway between Wisconsin and Ohio.
17 Archives
Rob Mixer
200810239100midsize.jpeg
Ohio junior Jane Sytsma goes up for a spike over Buffalo's Marisa Hornbaker during the Bobcat's 3-1 victory over the Bulls on Saturday, Sept. 27 at The Convo
