Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Q&A with sophomore Katie Collier
8/10/2016 3:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball
GoBlueRaiders.com will be conducting a Q&A with a different women's basketball player each week as part of "What Do You Know Wednesday." This week's #WDYKW feature is sophomore Katie Collier. Katie is from Knoxville, Tenn.
GBR.com: What are your expectations for this season and what role do you think you will play this year?
KC: I think for this season we are young, but other than that it should be a good year. We only have one senior, Ty (Petty). I do have high expectations for this year. We have a target on our back with winning conference last year, but I think that we all get along and love each other. The team chemistry will keep coming along the farther we go. Everyone has the work ethic, the heart and the desire to win. I'm really excited for what is to come. It should be a good year.
GBR.com: How is this year different for you now that you have gone through a full season?
KC: It is a big difference. This past summer was even different from my freshman summer because we didn't have all these practices and weren't working these hours. I'm still learning, but I know what to do and I know what Coach Insell wants to do. I've been in the system long enough to know what he expects. I think that is the biggest difference of a being a year older. I should know more and help lead.
GBR.com: How have your high school state championships helped you adjust to college basketball?
KC: I've always had the will and desire to win. I hate losing more than anything. I'm going to give it my all 100 percent of the time. I think being with a winning program with a winning tradition in high school under my mom has been something that has been special, and she helped prepare me for the next level. It's knowing how to win and having the championship mentality.
GBR.com: Your mom played under Pat Summitt at Tennessee. How emotional was this summer for your family in that regard?
KC: I knew her my whole life. She held me when I was a baby. I grew up watching the Lady Vols and learning about what my mom (Shelley) did and how great of a player she was. I think that's so special to have someone who played for a legend, who was a pioneer of women's basketball. That's something I'll always treasure; to have her and who taught me to play at this level. It was emotional. It was sad and still is. It's hard to believe she is gone. But I got to learn from my mom who learned from the best. That's something I'll always treasure. Now I'm learning from Coach Insell who is one of the best. It's a blessing to be here at this school because Coach Summitt and Coach Insell were very close. That's something so cool that I can treasure too.
GBR.com: What is your favorite memory as a Blue Raider?
KC: Definitely winning conference. That was so much fun. And to get to play in the NCAA Tournament, just getting that experience was awesome and something we expect to get again.
GBR.com: Who would you say is the funniest person on the team?
KC: That's hard. Everyone has their moments. Ty is pretty funny. Jordan is funny, and she's so sarcastic. I don't think she means to be funny, she just kind of is. Ty, Jordan, Rebecca, everyone has their moments.
GBR.com: What is your favorite app on your phone?
KC: Probably Snapchat. I like the filters. They are fun to play around with.
GBR.com: If you could play another sport what would it be?
KC: That's hard. I've played basketball all my life, so I haven't really thought about it. If I had to play another sport, it would probably be volleyball. That's something I've wanted to try. I've always wanted to slam the ball and hit it, but I don't think I'd be that great at it. We'll see.
GBR.com: What are you looking forward to most this season?
KC: I'm looking forward to how we compete this season. We have a tough non-conference schedule at the beginning of the year, and I think that will be something fun that will prepare us for our conference. I'm looking forward to that. And I'm just looking forward to the times we have together – on the road, here, all of it. It's all fun.
GBR.com: What are your expectations for this season and what role do you think you will play this year?
KC: I think for this season we are young, but other than that it should be a good year. We only have one senior, Ty (Petty). I do have high expectations for this year. We have a target on our back with winning conference last year, but I think that we all get along and love each other. The team chemistry will keep coming along the farther we go. Everyone has the work ethic, the heart and the desire to win. I'm really excited for what is to come. It should be a good year.
GBR.com: How is this year different for you now that you have gone through a full season?
KC: It is a big difference. This past summer was even different from my freshman summer because we didn't have all these practices and weren't working these hours. I'm still learning, but I know what to do and I know what Coach Insell wants to do. I've been in the system long enough to know what he expects. I think that is the biggest difference of a being a year older. I should know more and help lead.
GBR.com: How have your high school state championships helped you adjust to college basketball?
KC: I've always had the will and desire to win. I hate losing more than anything. I'm going to give it my all 100 percent of the time. I think being with a winning program with a winning tradition in high school under my mom has been something that has been special, and she helped prepare me for the next level. It's knowing how to win and having the championship mentality.
GBR.com: Your mom played under Pat Summitt at Tennessee. How emotional was this summer for your family in that regard?
KC: I knew her my whole life. She held me when I was a baby. I grew up watching the Lady Vols and learning about what my mom (Shelley) did and how great of a player she was. I think that's so special to have someone who played for a legend, who was a pioneer of women's basketball. That's something I'll always treasure; to have her and who taught me to play at this level. It was emotional. It was sad and still is. It's hard to believe she is gone. But I got to learn from my mom who learned from the best. That's something I'll always treasure. Now I'm learning from Coach Insell who is one of the best. It's a blessing to be here at this school because Coach Summitt and Coach Insell were very close. That's something so cool that I can treasure too.
GBR.com: What is your favorite memory as a Blue Raider?
KC: Definitely winning conference. That was so much fun. And to get to play in the NCAA Tournament, just getting that experience was awesome and something we expect to get again.
GBR.com: Who would you say is the funniest person on the team?
KC: That's hard. Everyone has their moments. Ty is pretty funny. Jordan is funny, and she's so sarcastic. I don't think she means to be funny, she just kind of is. Ty, Jordan, Rebecca, everyone has their moments.
GBR.com: What is your favorite app on your phone?
KC: Probably Snapchat. I like the filters. They are fun to play around with.
GBR.com: If you could play another sport what would it be?
KC: That's hard. I've played basketball all my life, so I haven't really thought about it. If I had to play another sport, it would probably be volleyball. That's something I've wanted to try. I've always wanted to slam the ball and hit it, but I don't think I'd be that great at it. We'll see.
GBR.com: What are you looking forward to most this season?
KC: I'm looking forward to how we compete this season. We have a tough non-conference schedule at the beginning of the year, and I think that will be something fun that will prepare us for our conference. I'm looking forward to that. And I'm just looking forward to the times we have together – on the road, here, all of it. It's all fun.
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