Long Beach, California native Brianna Dixon ’13 has already made a name for herself in the MAAC. In her freshman season Dixon won multiple accolades: MAAC Rookie of the Week, Offensive Player of the Week, ALL-MAAC Second Team and MAAC Rookie of the Year. Sporting number seven playing the opposite and right side position on the court Dixon proven her self as a dominant force in the MAAC. Dixon sat down with The Mirror to share insights of being a student and Division 1 varsity athlete.
Q: How long have you played volleyball, and why did you choose to stick with it?
A: I’ve played since I was 12. It was the only sport that combined everything that I love about being an athlete.
Q: How did you choose Fairfield University?
A: I liked the small campus and I liked that everybody knows each other—it’s not awkward. Even on my first recruiting trip, it wasn’t awkward.
Q: What are some of the perks of being on a varsity sport?
A: The perks are free food when you’re away! And, you’ve got a built in family. Plus, you don’t have to worry about staying in shape, they do it for you.
Q: How important is team togetherness?
A: Team unity is so important—if we’re not on the same page, the personal differences will haunt you in the game. This isn’t a sport you can play by yourself like tennis, or even scoring by yourself in soccer.
Q: If you could play a different college-level sport, what would you choose?
A: Track and field because I did it in high school and miss it so much.
Q: What have some of your best team memories been so far?
A: Probably just like our team parties because you feel like a family when you’re all together.
Q: Did this family-feel contribute to a positive transition into college, especially having moved from so far away?
A: Yeah, it was almost like no transition. We had preseason before, so when school started it’s like, “Oh, your family is already here!” It’s nice.
Q: How big of a commitment is volleyball?
A: It’s huge. You’re not just an athlete, you’re a student-athlete and you represent the school. You’re not nobody; if you do something wrong then everybody is going to know about it.
Q: How about the additional workouts, like with the strength and conditioning coach, Mark Spellman?
A: With Spellman it seems like forever. We do an average of two hours per week. You hate it in the moment, but it’s like a love-hate relationship…you’re glad he’s there.
Q: Who is someone who really inspires you?
A: Vera Wang. She has taken a passion of hers and made it so big, yet so down to earth. I just want to be able to do that.
Q: What would you say to aspiring players?
A: Don’t doubt yourself. If you wanna do it, just do it. In the middle of when I was playing, I had a coach tell me, “You’re not a hitter.” I knew that was a lie.
Q: What are some goals the team has?
A: One of our team goals is to communicate so that we’re all on the same page during a game. Another is to play the same in all games, like to not go easy on easy teams.
Q: Any personal goals?
A: To not be such an introvert and to lead by example.
Q: What do you do to get excited for games?
A: I just get excited to make great plays. I listen to music too, that helps. I listen to everything.
Q: What upcoming games are you looking forward to and working hard to train for?
A: I’d say Siena, Niagara and the MAAC Championship—we want to win that one so badly.
Q: Is there anything else that you would like to add?
A: Yes! Come to our home games…they’re really fun and you can be as obnoxious as you want!
Home games are in Alumni Hall, and The Mirror wishes Dixon and the rest of the women’s team a successful season.
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