Volleyball Newcomer Q&A: Madelyn St. Germain
9/21/2020 10:24:00 AM | Volleyball
Graduate Student – Libero/Defensive Specialist – League City, Texas
On her start in volleyball
"I originally started when I was really young. I took a little break and did competitive dance for a year but I ended up missing volleyball a lot, so I started club the next year. My older sister played too and we started club around the same time. That was when we both got serious about playing volleyball. At that point it became my main year-long sport, playing for the school in the fall and club in the spring and then nationals in the summer."
On the goal of playing in college
"Even when I was 12 I kind of knew, which is crazy because it seems so early. I talked with my parents and we decided that if I was going to do this, we were going to be dedicated and see where it took me. I kept getting better each year playing club and that was all about working hard toward that goal of playing in college."
On doubting her future in volleyball
"When I committed to my previous school, I had a moment where I doubted my decision to play volleyball. I thought of going to school and just being a normal student. I had worked so hard to achieve this goal, but I was still having second thoughts. My parents told me to give it one year and see what happens. It wasn't an easy ride but I'm glad I stuck it out."
On her college selection process during high school
"I was looking for a college where I could play volleyball but also get a full college experience and not just eat, breath and live volleyball. I was very big on building relationships not only with my teammates but with people outside athletics."
On deciding to transfer to Alabama
"The second time around [choosing a school] was stressful but awesome at the same time. After my injury a few years ago, I didn't think I would take my fourth year of eligibility after earning my degree in three years. Last year though I was starting to rethink my decision. I had a great year with all my friends and the seniors. They were all leaving and I felt like I had my time at UTA, so I wanted to see what else was out there. When I entered the transfer portal, I just wanted to see what would happen and put it in God's hands. In the back of my mind I always wanted to go to a big school. I knew I could do it, but when Alabama was the first email I got I was still shocked."
On her first impressions of Alabama
"I had a few schools reach out but Alabama was the first that showed interest. I first talked with [Assistant Coach] Ladislav [Lelkes] on the phone and at that time I was student teaching and coaching club so I had a pretty slim window of time I could talk to coaches. I talked with Coach Devine the next day and we probably talked for an hour. Talking with them felt so natural. I wasn't nervous like I was when I was talking with schools as a junior in high school. It was a natural conversation and it was clear what their vision was for this program. About a week later I talked with [Assistant] Coach Meg [Ailshie] and then we planned out a visit for the end of February.
"With my student teaching I could only miss three days so I really couldn't visit any other schools. I came here and as soon as I walked on campus my parents and I knew I was going fall in love with this place. Even if I was just a normal student out of high school, I would want to come here but when I saw the facilities and how the coaches and players treated me and my family as their own, it was a no-brainer. That night I went back to the hotel and I told them that if I was offered the next day I would say yes. The next day Coach Lindsey offered me and I said absolutely."
On navigating the uncertainty of the season
"Of course this year is different, but I know this isn't in our control. As hard as it is taking it day-by-day, it's a good lesson to learn that you don't get most of the time. There's nothing we can do about it so all we can do is what we're told to do that day and see what happens tomorrow. At the beginning, some of us were struggling with the uncertainty of not knowing if or when we were playing. Not that they would do this, but they could tell us any day that we have a game tomorrow and we needed to be ready for that."
On the NCAA's eligibility ruling and the SEC's hybrid fall/spring schedule
"We talked about potential plans before it was released, but we were all really excited. The idea of playing in the fall and the spring was different but as we talked about it, I started to like it. We'll play in the fall and then get a chance to regroup and see what we need to change before we come right back in the spring. It's the last chance I'll get to do this so I might as well play whatever time of year I can. Coach told us that we'll never forget this year, and that was even before we knew we would play at all. It's interesting how everything is falling into place and I think everyone is handling it really well."
On adjusting to health and safety protocols at practice
"At first when I heard we would have to wear the masks at practice I was worried. During the summer I just stayed home instead of going out and wearing the mask. I thought practicing in it would be horrible but it really wasn't that bad. We put our trust in [athletic trainer] Karah [Sims] and she makes that really easy. She knows more about the virus than we do so why would I doubt these protocols? We just have to listen to what she has to say because she has our best interests in mind."
On her goals for the year
"I've been through the process of helping a team grow and I just want us to be together in that process here. Being new you have to feel things out and just be a good teammate. This team is special and we're all really good friends. We can take volleyball out of it and we would all still hang out together. We all have the same goals and not knowing if we would play, that could have slipped away but we're all here to get better every day. Personally, I want to walk away from volleyball playing the best I ever have. I had a good season last year and I wasn't ready to be done because I wanted to see what else was out there for me. With the training I'm getting here, I think I can end strong playing against some of the best players in the country."
