Delaware Sports Blitz Interview: Delaware Tech’s Isadora Reichner

Photo: Delaware Technical Community College

Delaware Technical Community College student-athletes interviews are back! Every Thursday, Delaware Sports Blitz will feature interviews with the student-athletes from the Community College.

The student-athlete we are featuring this week comes from Delaware Tech’s women’s volleyball, which is Isadora Reichner.

Reichner talks about everything from making her way back from a leg injury to what is the best part playing at her position.

Check out it below!

Related:

Delaware Sports Blitz Interview: Delaware Tech’s Matt Kracyla

How did you start playing sports?
“I was always playing sports when I was little. I started playing soccer when I was three years old and played it up to 7th grade. I also did track in middle school. I started playing volleyball in 8th grade.”

What adjustments did you have to make from the jump of high school to college, regarding the sport you play?
“I personally had to make a big adjustment jumping from high school to college. I had an injury during my junior and senior years, this basically took me out of playing volleyball for a long time. Now I am all healed and ready to dominate the opponent.”

How do you keep yourself in game shape in the off-season for your sport?
“Stretching is the most important part of keeping yourself in shape during the off-season. I always do workouts during my off-season, I try to go for small runs. Also, before I go to bed, I do cardio and work out my legs and arms. I try to build my muscles up before the season comes up.”

What is the best part of playing your particular position?
“I am an outside hitter, but I can play any position on the court. I am hitting middle this season. I would say that I didn’t particularly like being a middle hitter, but I am getting used to it, and I am dominating the position. I will say that any position is very hard to play, but the middle is a lot of blocking. You are always up at the net except when you are hitting.”

What has a former or current coach taught you, that you still use today on or off the playing field?
“Don’t say sorry for something you aren’t or shouldn’t be sorry for.”
“This always sticks in my mind every time I practice or if I am ever in a game, because I am the type who always says sorry for anything. In a game, I will say sorry if I miss a ball or if I hit the ball out. You shouldn’t be sorry for that, people always make mistakes. You should always be thinking, “okay, the next point, I will do better.” You shouldn’t get in your head during a game because it is going to throw you off.”

What is a typical day for you when the season is in full force?
“Our team practices mostly in the evening. During the day, I am focusing on school. It is not always about volleyball, as you should focus on school too. Just like what everyone says, “school comes first.”

What do you feel is your greatest strength?
“Being confident is my biggest strength. On or off the court I always try to check up on the girls on the team. I try to get everyone excited and in a happy mood. I am like the cheerleader on the team.”

What do you feel you are weakest at and what do you work on to improve it?
“I will not lie sometimes I get in my head during a game, but you should have that one person on the team that will bring your spirit up. I definitely have been working on it.”

Describe some of the highlights of your athletic career.
“I believe that this season has been my best season yet. I am faster, stronger, and smarter. After those two years off because of my injury, I am ready to get back on the court. When you are a hitter in volleyball, it is not all about killing the ball, as you should be smart with your hits.”

What is the best part of playing on a team?

“The best part of playing on this team is the girls. They are the best, and they are always there for you. They will always pick you up when you need it. Both Coach Kelly and Coach Leigh always help and motivate you when you need them.”

How do you stay motivated during the highs and lows of a season?
“As I said, it is the team that motivates me. The coaches, the girls, and my family are the ones who motivate me to be a better version of myself.”

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?
“As I said before, I had an injury to my leg during my junior and senior years. It was very hard to overcome mentally and physically. I did physical therapy, and it also helped me focus more on school. I always tried to go to the games and cheer on my teammates, and during the off-time, I could focus on school.”

In what ways, does playing a sport, help you with your studies?
“In my opinion, it helps you mentally forget what is going on in your life. For example, playing volleyball helps me not focus on what is happening outside of volleyball, and it helps relieve the stress of school.”

How would you like to be remembered by your teammates and coaches?
“I want to be remembered as the goofy, crazy girl. I know that sounds weird or crazy, but I definitely have found the best team and coaches I have ever played with. We always have each other’s back no matter what.”

Why did you choose to play at Delaware Tech?
“I wanted to play closer to home, and I wanted to give volleyball a chance again after my injury.”