20 Questions With Britney Hurst
Sep 24, 2001 | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 24, 2001
NEW ORLEANS, La. - When looking at the 2001 Tulane volleyball line-up, there are a lot of new faces. But while four underclassmen have earned a spot in the starting rotation, junior Britney Hurst is one of two upperclassmen that the Green Wave are counting on to provide leadership to this young team.
After playing as a reserve for most of her first two seasons in a Tulane uniform, Hurst was elected one of the 2001 team captains, and has not disappointed her coach or her fellow teammates. Hurst has been a standout so far in the 2001 season. She currently leads the team in kills with 4.83 per game and is second on the club in digs per game with a 3.00 average.
Below, Hurst shares her thoughts in this week's installment of "20 Questions with a Tulane volleyball player".
Why did you choose to attend Tulane University?
Tulane is very prestigious university and I knew that attending here would be the backbone of an awesome career in the future.
During the preseason, head coach Betsy Becker pointed to you as a player who can make things happen. How does it make you feel to have a coach that has that kind of confidence in you?
It makes me feel like everything I have strived for as a volleyball player in now coming to the forefront. I have learned so much from our coaching staff coming from a marginal high school volleyball program, and the confidence that they have in me proves that I have worked very hard to become a great asset to this team.
You're the one of only two upper classmen in the starting line-up, and at times in the rotation, you are surrounded by four freshman. What is it like to be a leader on such an inexperienced team?
Being a leader on such an inexperienced team means that I have to step it up in every way - meaning I have to be a motivator, mother, and a go-to player on the court. My experience will be key in every game. It is outstanding knowing that the team has chosen me to be a leader and I will do my best in every way to prove to myself and them whether in practice, in the game, or off the court that when choosing me, they choose the best.
What do you see this team doing this season and in the future?
In my three years here at Tulane we have always had talent, but we could never see TEAM. This group definitely has the team, talent, and will-to-win attitude, and because of that I see this team winning conference.
Your numbers are way up this season in comparison to your first two years here. To what can you attribute this improvement?
I've always wanted to be a leader on this team. I was an inexperienced athlete my first year, but I knew I would be a great asset to the Tulane volleyball program, and I strived hard in practice and at home to become the player I have become. Hard work, the willingness to learn, and a great attitude pays off. If you believe you can achieve.
What has being a student-athlete at Tulane University taught you that you would not have learned otherwise?
Being a student-athlete has taught me not only time management, but that family not only derives from your immediate family. Now, I have 12 sisters, two moms and a dad in my immediate volleyball family, as well as the support of the other athletes and coaches who are my extended family.
What is your most memorable experience with Tulane athletics?
My most memorable experience at Tulane was winning outdoor conference with the track and field team. I had never thrown the javelin, and with five days of practice, placed seventh in conference.
If "Betsy The Genie" could grant you one wish, what would you wish for?
World Peace, because we would not have lost the many lives in the World Trade Center incident, wars in the past, and wars that continue to go on between other countries.
What are your plans after graduation?
My plans after graduation are to be alive, God willing, and then I will decide will be doing.
Your brother is a freshman football player at Southern University. Tulane plays the Jaguars in The Big Easy Classic this weekend (Sept. 29) in the Louisiana Superdome. The volleyball team plays Conference USA foe Charlotte that night. Your mother is a regular at the home volleyball games. What do you think your mom is going to do that day - dress half Tulane and half Southern?
My mother is a Tulane volleyball fan and Southernite for life. She graduated from Southern and I was raised to be a Southern fan for life. She has shirts made so when she attends the football game she will wear the shirt with my brother's name and number, and when she leaves and arrives at mine she will put her Green Wave shirt on.
What cartoon character most resembles you?
Tigger, I am always jumping around being silly. I thrive on being the best and an eye catcher and so does he.
What is your favorite movie?
The Nutty Professor is my favorite movie. The grandmother is hilarious. My favorite saying is, "Come on Cletus, come on. Ain't nothing but a short walk, you'll walk over but your limping back."
If you had to sum up your personal philosophy in life into one sentence, what would it be?
Live each day to its fullest with no regrets. Tomorrow isn't promised, and what you do today makes you what you will be tomorrow.
If you could have dinner with any three people in the history of the universe, who would they be and why?
I would like to have dinner with God, my deceased grandmother and my mother because they are the three people in my life who have made me who and what I am today. Without them I wouldn't have been conceived, loved, and proud of who I am.
When your playing days are done here at Tulane, how would you like people to remember you?
I want people to remember me as a leader who lead her team the best way she knew how. I also want to be remembered as one of the player who helped Tulane to its first conference championship.
What's the most embarrassing thing you've ever done since you've been at Tulane?
While playing in a match last year, the floor was really wet. I was a middle blocker then and I called for a red. The funny thing is that I never made it around for the attack. As soon as I stepped to jump, I went flying in the air and did a belly buster on the ground.
What is the best advice you were ever given?
Always be proud of who you are.
Who has been the most influential person in your athletic career?
My mother.
If it weren't for volleyball, what would you do with your free time?
Sleep, study, the movies, hang with friends, go out, etc.
What are your goals for the 2001 season (individual and team)?
As for team goals, we want to win the school's first conference championship. As far as individual honors go, I would like to be recognized at the conference banquet for my leadership.
