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University of North Carolina Athletics
Friday Check-In With Paige Neuenfeldt
March 6, 2015 | Volleyball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - This volleyball off-season, GoHeels.com will run an exclusive Q&A series with members of the Carolina volleyball team. This week's piece features Paige Neuenfeldt, a 6-foot-2 middle blocker who dominates the net for the Tar Heels.
What feels better: getting a big kill or a big block?
Wow, tough first question! I guess it depends on the situation but more often than not I love a huge block! I love blocking next to Taylor Treacy and we get so pumped up after—it can be a huge momentum swing for us.
Why did you pick your jersey number?
I have been #5 for volleyball my whole club and high school careers. The number doesn't have any particular family history or reasoning but now it's very dear to my heart.
At what age did you start to play volleyball and in what league or at what level?
I began playing volleyball in 5th grade for my Holy Name CYO church team. All my soccer friends were trying out and I wanted to hang out with them so I went to “tryouts” at the park near my house. It was love at first sight and I couldn't stop passing the ball against the brick wall in the backyard.
What part of your game do you want to improve the most this spring?
This spring I am really focusing on being versatile. I have been learning to pass, hit a GO ball tempo and out of system sets. It's been a real learning curve but I'm excited to see how all the training this spring helps add another dimension to my game in the fall.
What other sports or sport skills are you good at?
I used to be pretty good at basketball back in the day. I played two years of varsity in high school before focusing on volleyball—I actually hold the blocked shots record! I am a pretty good swimmer as well as I swam competitively for 8 years and now hold Paige's Swim School lessons for some of my lovely teammates.
What is one random fact we do not know about you?
Well, I usually say I can do the Rubix Cube in under two minutes but a lot of people know about that now. Something new that not a lot of people know about me is that I am a published author! I submitted a story about my guinea pig in third grade and it got published in the Young Authors of America book.
What has been your favorite class at UNC?
My favorite class is one I am in now, BUSI 554 or Consulting Skills and Frameworks with Professor Jones in the business school. It has been the most practical class in terms of learning important concepts for the workplace such as: presentation skills, how to make great PowerPoints, teamwork, research and a lot more. Professor Jones is a wonderful teacher as well and I very much recommend him if you are thinking about this class.
What part of Carolina convinced you to choose UNC for college?
This is probably going to sound like the other girls' previous answers, but I chose UNC because of everything it had to offer. There are not many universities out there with amazing athletic and academic programs as well as a beautiful campus. I loved the coaching staff, the facilities, the family atmosphere, the Carolina Blue skies, Franklin Street, the Old Well and of course, the fans.
Who is your closest friend who plays for another college volleyball team?
Lindsey Lerg—DS/libero at the University of Michigan
Lindsey was my club libero for four years and one of my very best friends. We played each other last year in my hometown and I got the sweep (sorry for serving at you Linds!).
If you could go back and relive one match from your career, what match would it be and why?
Wow, I don't know if I can chose just one. If it was to change the outcome, I would love to relive the Elite 8 game against Texas for obvious reasons. I have never played in such a big game at any stage in my career so I was so excited to get that opportunity with my team.
In terms of not changing the outcome, probably the FSU match this previous year at home. It was at the first top-10 ACC showdown and we were the “underdogs.” I have never felt the crowd or our team more into a game. There was a phenomenal energy I cannot even try to explain and it was a huge win for us to keep us moving towards postseason.
If you could choose one destination in the world for a vacation that you have never visited before, where would that be?
I need to go to Santorini, Greece in my lifetime. It's always been a dream vacation for my mom and I, and one day I will plan this one for us! I think it's hard to find a more beautiful place than Greece and I love the food as well so it's a win-win.
What was your favorite high school athletic accomplishment (game, award, championship) and why?
Unfortunately, my high school team never had any deep tournament runs to name here but I do have some fond memories of beating both two main rivals in the same year, Marian and Clarkston. It was so satisfying to pull off the wins against these perennial powerhouses.
If you could have a particular skill or ability of any current or former athlete, what would that be and whose skill is it?
I would love to be able to top-spin serve like Micah Hancock (former Penn State setter). Her serve is unbelievable and I am always so envious of it. She's able to knock opposing teams out of system and simultaneously gain huge momentum for her teammates to feed off of.
Who is your pre-game "must listen to" musical artist?
You know, I don't really ever control the locker room music but whatever my teammates put on is always great and gets us ready to go with a pre-game dance off. If it were up to me I would listen to country music 24/7 so luckily I have teammates to help with that!
What teammate and/or coach has given you the best advice about being a Carolina volleyball player and what was it?
When I was a freshman, Emily McGee was a senior and had my name for our “thankful card” tradition on Thanksgiving Day. She wrote me about two pages of advice I will never forget. My favorite quote said, “I'll end with some quick advice: try to enjoy your times as much as possible. Make some memories and don't worry so much if you have a bad practice, fail an exam, or get blocked on game point. All these things have happened to me in my career and although it feels like the end of the world at times—at the end of your playing career you will only remember the amazing wins and bonds you've formed with your teammates.”
What is an essential part of your pregame routine?
Coffee and Stallings. Coach has hooked us all on getting a cup of coffee after pregame meal and I need a good ice or heat and STIM for my knees before every day to help warm them up.
Who do you call/talk to/text after every game?
Well before every single game, my dad always texts me. It's kind of a tradition now and sometimes I won't see it until after the game but it's a constant reminder that my family is always watching even if they're not physically in the gym. After my game my dad cannot wait to talk about all the great or horrible plays and stats of course. And I can expect the family group chat to have about a hundred texts back and forth about the game!
What TV show do you have to watch every week?
The shows I try to keep up with are: The Bachelor/Bachelorette, Grey's Anatomy, Scandal and How to Get Away with Murder. I also have some Netflix favorites but we don't have to go there.
Who is the person you look up to the most?
My parents for sure. They have been such incredible role models for me and I am so blessed to be their child. They've taught me so much in my short 20 years, the best being how to love unconditionally and how to just a really good person. If I am half the person my parents are when I grow up I will consider myself a lucky girl.
Mom and Dad, if you're reading this: Hi & I love you!!
What is your dream job?
This question is always so hard for me because I have so many interests and have not yet sorted through them all. Dream jobs are all across the board from a news anchor or sideline sports reporter to an astronaut. I guess the most current dream job that could be a reality would be a consultant of some sort. My BUSI 554 class and project with ESPN via the STAR program have really sparked my interest in this team problem-solving environment.
How is Carolina and Carolina volleyball helping you achieve your goals for after graduation?
Without Carolina Volleyball, I would not be where I am today. I am so blessed to be able to attend UNC and now the Kenan-Flagler Business School. I have been able to grow on the court and in the classroom due to the amazing opportunities I have received on both ends of the spectrum. Whether my goals take me towards international volleyball or the work place, I feel that UNC has done a fantastic job of preparing me for both options. I am now a part of something big, the Carolina family, and I know I will continue to grow this family post-graduation and beyond.
