JANE LEE
Sports Editor
Sophia Milo began her illustrious volleyball career when she joined a small Catholic youth league in fourth grade. Now, 12 years later, the Pepperdine senior has quietly led the Waves to successful seasons in each of the past three years and has earned herself a place among the best of the best in the West Coast Conference.
An unstoppable middle blocker from Portland, Ore., Milo is working toward her degree in elementary education with hopes of becoming a kindergarten or first grade teacher. In the midst of her last season as a Wave, Milo talks about the past, present and future in this week’s “10 Minutes With … ”
Did you ever imagine your volleyball career turning into something so special?
“I don’t think I ever did. I remember being recruited for college, and colleges would ask, ‘Where do you see yourself when you’re in college’ and ‘Would you ever try out for any national teams?’ and I didn’t know. With volleyball I never really worried about or thought about what it was going to be like in a couple years. Now I worry about where I’m going to be next year.”
What was the college recruiting process like?
“Stressful. It was stressful because I knew I wanted to stay close to home, but other than that I really didn’t know what I wanted in terms of big school or small school or what type of setting of a college I wanted. But, in the end, I’m obviously very happy with my choice, and I’m very glad that I picked Pepperdine.
Stanford was the other main school that I was looking at. I took a look at schools like UCLA, USC, Arizona and Texas, but it was really Pepperdine and Stanford that I was serious about. They both definitely have their attributes.”
You were named the WCC’s “Freshman of the Year” and then All-WCC first team the last two years. What do awards like that mean to you?
“I think it’s a huge accomplishment. I mean, we work hard every day in the gym and, I think to get recognized like that for your hard work and for everything you’ve put in, I just see as a huge compliment.”
You also just broke Pepperdine’s all-time record for blocked shots. How does it feel to be at the top of the record books?
“It’s kind of all surreal. It’s like I don’t really think about it. I have goals for myself but it’s never really statistical like that, so to find out that I have broken those, it’s a big deal. It’s kind of like a big reward I guess. It’s weird to think that those records have been there for so long. Those players who set them were so great, and now I’m right up there with them. It’s always weird to picture yourself in that situation until you’re there, and then it’s kind of like, wait a minute, that’s — wow.”
What’s something Wave fans would be surprised about the volleyball team?
“Our team loves to have dance parties in the locker room before games. It’s kind of our pregame warm-up. We have a CD that is mostly rap or hip hop — all the popular music on the radio. But we all bring in music that’s fun stuff we know, songs we can sing to and dance to. We’re a pretty crazy team this year. We’ve got some pretty crazy girls this year. Like in the locker room before games everyone’s all excited and anxious and hyper.”
With a 4-6 record entering WCC play tonight, how would you assess the team right now?
“Preseason has been a little rough. We’ve played some really good teams and seen some really good competition, but I think we’ve done pretty well. I think we’re still growing as a team, and I think we’re kind of learning to adjust together. We’re learning what it’s going to take to be at the top now that we’ve seen what that top competition looks like — kind of like how far we really have to get. But we’re excited to go into league play. I mean, we have some really good teams in our conference — like Santa Clara is ranked very highly, so there’s definitely going to be some challenges in the conference.”
What stands out as some of your most memorable moments as a member of the Pepperdine volleyball team?
“I would say beating USC last year to get into the Sweet Sixteen is one of my favorites. We’d lost to them earlier in the season, so to beat them three straight on their home court was amazing. They’ve always been a rival ever since I’ve been here at Pepperdine, so that was a huge deal. Also, beating UCLA my sophomore year was a huge deal. We beat them in five games, so that was exciting. And then my freshman year, going to the Sweet Sixteen — I think just being a freshman when everything’s still new and making it that far and being that successful was one of my favorite times.”
During the last two summers you’ve trained with the U.S. National Team. What has that experience been like?
“It’s different. It’s a different kind of training. It’s a different kind of mentality. It’s not so much about you because it’s about the team effort and representing the U.S. The coaches are tough, the training’s tough and the girls play at a very high level, but it’s fun. I learned a lot — both summers I’ve done it I’ve had different coaches and played with some different girls. So it was all about learning from the girls, learning from the coaches, making new friends and getting a different perspective on the game.”
Will you continue playing with the national team after you graduate?
“I don’t quite know how the process works, if I have to try out again or not. My hope is to go overseas and play professional for a year. You can talk to an agent who finds you deals based on what teams want and what they’re in need of. You can only have so many Americans on each team, and for each country the rules are different.
I’d love to go to Switzerland. I went there with the national team and loved it. It’s the most beautiful country, so I’d love to go there.”
Do you find it difficult balancing volleyball with school and other activities?
“I think you kind of just know that when it’s in season volleyball is your life. And then when we’re out of season it’s a little bit more of a break. Yes, we still train, but it’s more time for social things and more time for friends and going out and having fun. It’s hard, but we put in our time every day and then we have the rest of the day to do our own thing — whether it’s studying or being involved in different things or just hanging out with friends, so you make time.”
Both on and off the volleyball court, what do you think you’ll miss most about Pepperdine?
“I think, volleyball wise, I’ll miss the girls a lot. I mean, every year you have a little bit of a different team, and I’ve loved all of our teams and all of the girls. They’re all so different but together they’re so much fun, and there are so many elements of everyone that makes it so great. Off the court, I think definitely being by the beach and the warm weather. I hope to move back up to Portland eventually, so I’ll be missing the Southern California weather.”
09-28-2006