His journey to Pepperdine took 20 years and almost 4000 miles. Growing up on the north side of Chicago in the shadow of Northwestern University senior volleyball star Mark Hulse never dreamed he’d be playing for the Waves.
Hulse’s unusual path to Pepperdine included a two-year pit stop by the Jersey shore at Rutgers and after his sophomore season he made the leap bringing his game across the United States to Malibu. With a national championship game appearance already under his belt Hulse and company look to bring home the title in 2009.
1. How did you get your start playing volleyball?
“I started my freshman year of high school and my brother played volleyball there also. I needed a spring sport so I chose to play. I was involved with basketball in the winter and the coaches said it would help my volleyball game. I didn’t really have a choice in playing it.”
2. What do you love most about the game?
“I like how you can’t really get away with having one good player. In basketball that one guy can carry the whole squad. In volleyball you really need all six guys and you’re really dependent on each other which I love. I like that feeling of being a close-knit team.”
3. What was the recruiting process like for you and how did you decide where to go?
“I didn’t get a ton of letters. I definitely got them but the volleyball community is pretty small. Schools talk and the club teams do too so my name was passed around I guess. I actually began my college career at Rutgers and played there for two years. I had the opportunity to start as a freshman so I took it. I got offers from other places but they didn’t offer me much money. Penn State was looking at me but since my brother was playing at Pepperdine I wanted to do my own thing in volleyball. I played behind him in high school and you kind of get sick of being the little brother so I went my own way. When it was clear Rutgers wasn’t going anywhere I decided to come out here and play for Coach Dunphy.”
4. What has been your most memorable accomplishment in your volleyball career so far?
“Definitely last season. Getting to the finals was so exciting. I loved the entire process. We played some really tough teams and played well in the playoffs to get there. Even though we lost in the championship I appreciate the experience I had.”
5. Do your post-college plans include playing volleyball professionally?
“I contemplate it but I don’t know. I’d love to play in Europe for a couple years but I’m going to have to get a real job. I’m majoring in political science so I might end up going to law school. I’m taking a test to try to get a job at the State Department. I may go into government work or law. We’ll just have to see.”
6. How would you evaluate this year’s team? What is the ultimate goal?
“We lost Jonathan Winder (’08 alum) which hurts but we have a really good new setter coming in. It’s a lot of fun watching everyone get better. We work really hard and it’s starting to pay off. Our practices are intense but it’ll only prepare us that much more when we start playing really tough opponents. It’s nice when everything’s in place but kind of fun when it’s a little chaotic too. It keeps things interesting.
“We have a lot of guys injured right now but they should be okay when we start the season. We have high hopes for this season. Our goal is to make it to the final four and win a national championship just like any other year and I think we have a really good shot. It’s going to come down to the teams on the West Coast. Penn State lost a few guys and one of their players went pro so they’ll probably be out of it this year. But we think we have a great chance at it.”
7. What’s it like playing for an Olympic-caliber coach like Marv Dunphy?
“I thoroughly enjoy it. He’s one of the most positive coaches I’ve ever had. Not like ‘slap-in-the-butt’ positive but like everything he says is always constructive criticism. I love it. His understanding of the game is out of this world. The respect he demands even from the freshmen is incredible. It makes our jobs easier. We don’t have to talk to our freshmen about behaving themselves. He doesn’t scare us into liking him or respecting him it’s just that we understand that when we’re in practice we listen pay attention and learn the game because he knows what he’s talking about. He’s been to the top and having a coach that has is a great asset to our team.”
8. What about his coaching style and philosophy has made you a better player?
“He really doesn’t give you much emotional range. He expects you to play hard and focus the whole time and I’ve always been an up and down emotional guy. If he catches you looking at your shoes he’ll be upset but it’s been good because it has kept me from getting too emotionally high or low and allowed me to concentrate on playing volleyball.”