University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Catching Up with Canadian National Team Member Layne Van Buskirk
7/19/2017 10:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Rising Sophomore Spent Summer Training in Vancouver, Canada
PITTSBURGH – Pitt volleyball player Layne Van Buskirk was named to the 2017 Canadian Women's National Team Roster, Tuesday, May 16. The Windsor, Ontario, native was one of 24 selected and PittsburghPanthers.com caught up with her as she continues to train with the team in Vancouver, Canada.
What was your initial reaction when you found out you would get the chance to play for the Canadian National Team?
I was very excited and immediately called my parents to tell them the news. I definitely did not expect to spend my summer in Vancouver, but I am very grateful that I did.
How were the training sessions for the Canadian National Team different from those for Pitt?
With the Canadian National Team, the majority of the players were seasoned professionals, so the training focused more on tactical skills rather than technical skills. The coaches implemented a lot of drills that I had never seen before. For the first time, I was surrounded by people who play volleyball at an international level, rather than at the collegiate level.
What was your daily routine like?
A typical day included a morning practice session from 9-11, followed by a lift from 11-12. We would then get a break where I would either do homework for my online class or take a nap. The afternoon sessions went from 4-7. I would come home to a dinner made by my homestay mom and eventually go to bed.
What were some of the biggest adjustments or challenges that you had to face on or off the court?
Since the coaching staff mainly spoke Italian, a big challenge was trying to understand what they were saying. I had to learn new terminology and systems.
It also was an adjustment settling into living with a billet or host family for the first time. Another hurdle was clothing myself for the summer given that I had only packed for a one-week stay.
What was your favorite part of playing with the team?
Getting to scrimmage against the starters was my highlight. All of them play professionally and it shows. Although challenging, and at times humbling, nothing did more to help me raise my game.
How did you spend your free time?
My roommate/teammate and I spent our weekends either at the beach playing sand volleyball or doing touristy activities around the city.
What was it like being one of the younger players on the team?
Being the youngest player on the team excited me for the future. Seeing the girls in their late twenties still coming back, improving and having fun shows that it is a great program. If I keep improving, I believe I may have the chance to play for my country at the next Olympics and beyond.
Who were your biggest mentors on the team and why?
Although she may not know it, I really looked up to outside hitter Kyla Richey. She was very welcoming and had a great attitude on the court. I respect her greatly as a person and player, and admire that she is able to balance her volleyball career with everything else she has going on in her life.
What were a few things that you learned that you will bring back with you?
I think I learned to be more disciplined and also better time management. My freshman year was challenging at times. I feel better prepared for the season to come.
What will you take away from this experience?
Confidence. I now know that I can play with some of the best players in the world. I hope that I can expand on that confidence at Pitt and help lead the Panthers to a national championship.
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What was your initial reaction when you found out you would get the chance to play for the Canadian National Team?
I was very excited and immediately called my parents to tell them the news. I definitely did not expect to spend my summer in Vancouver, but I am very grateful that I did.
How were the training sessions for the Canadian National Team different from those for Pitt?
With the Canadian National Team, the majority of the players were seasoned professionals, so the training focused more on tactical skills rather than technical skills. The coaches implemented a lot of drills that I had never seen before. For the first time, I was surrounded by people who play volleyball at an international level, rather than at the collegiate level.
What was your daily routine like?
A typical day included a morning practice session from 9-11, followed by a lift from 11-12. We would then get a break where I would either do homework for my online class or take a nap. The afternoon sessions went from 4-7. I would come home to a dinner made by my homestay mom and eventually go to bed.
What were some of the biggest adjustments or challenges that you had to face on or off the court?
Since the coaching staff mainly spoke Italian, a big challenge was trying to understand what they were saying. I had to learn new terminology and systems.
It also was an adjustment settling into living with a billet or host family for the first time. Another hurdle was clothing myself for the summer given that I had only packed for a one-week stay.
What was your favorite part of playing with the team?
Getting to scrimmage against the starters was my highlight. All of them play professionally and it shows. Although challenging, and at times humbling, nothing did more to help me raise my game.
How did you spend your free time?
My roommate/teammate and I spent our weekends either at the beach playing sand volleyball or doing touristy activities around the city.
What was it like being one of the younger players on the team?
Being the youngest player on the team excited me for the future. Seeing the girls in their late twenties still coming back, improving and having fun shows that it is a great program. If I keep improving, I believe I may have the chance to play for my country at the next Olympics and beyond.
Who were your biggest mentors on the team and why?
Although she may not know it, I really looked up to outside hitter Kyla Richey. She was very welcoming and had a great attitude on the court. I respect her greatly as a person and player, and admire that she is able to balance her volleyball career with everything else she has going on in her life.
What were a few things that you learned that you will bring back with you?
I think I learned to be more disciplined and also better time management. My freshman year was challenging at times. I feel better prepared for the season to come.
What will you take away from this experience?
Confidence. I now know that I can play with some of the best players in the world. I hope that I can expand on that confidence at Pitt and help lead the Panthers to a national championship.
#H2P | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Thursday, May 21
Wednesday, May 20
Monday, May 11
Friday, May 01