Ram-In-Action: Rebekah Strange
By Keyris Manzanarez
Contributing Writer
As a junior, VCU Volleyball’s Rebekah “Bekah” Strange recorded a career-high 30 digs, the most by a Ram since 2009. She was also named Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week and made the VCU Invitational All-Tournament Team.
The Indianapolis native sat down with the CT to talk about what has driven her to succeed in her senior season.
How would you describe yourself, besides being an athlete?
“If it was not for volleyball then I would not be the person that I am today. I am highly competitive in the classroom and outside on the court. I can be very shy when I meet people, but once I get to know who they are then I can start to be myself.”
How many years have you been playing volleyball and when did you get started?
“Twelve years. I started playing on a team at my church after my mom signed me up. I realized that I was good and that this was the sport that I wanted to play for years to come. I tried out other sport but I always knew that I loved volleyball.”
Why did you pick VCU to continue your Volleyball career?
“It’s diversity. I know a lot of people must say that, but I toured other universities where I am from, but they were too big or you had to take a bus to get around campus. And so when I visited VCU I really liked that everything was close and walking distance and I could see myself here.”
What are one or two things in your training that have allowed you to play competitively at VCU?
“The strength and conditioning have really made me successful but also the people around me — my teammates who push me to be my best self.
You made the VCU Invitational All-Tournament team last year, which is a huge accomplishment for any athlete, how did this make you feel?
“I think that it was a win not just for me but for my teammates. Volleyball is not an individual sport. I am always pushed by my teammates and they are what make me want to work hard and keep getting wins for the team.”
What’s your inspiration when you play?
“My teammates always inspire me. We all work together to win.”
Do you have any rituals or anything you tell yourself before you go out on the court?
“I don’t have a mantra or anything, but I am very superstitious and I know that most of my teammates are too, so sometimes I will wear the same headband or sports bra or something like that.”
What did you learn last year that propels you to do better?
“It’s not about you. It’s about the team.”
What was your lowest point of the season last year and what did you do to come back from it?
“My lowest point was at the George Mason game, where I was playing just for myself and the coach took me out and put a player that was a class below me in and that’s where it really hit me that I had to play for the team.”
What’s the best advice ever given to you?
“That everyone makes mistakes, from Tim Doyle Assistant Coach at VCU — he has been here since I have been here and it really stuck with me. I am a perfectionist and it’s hard to get over mistakes you make sometimes but realizing that you will make mistakes makes it easier to come back from and move on from things.”
Dream job after VCU?
“It’s really hard to say what I will be doing once volleyball is over, but what I am doing now I hope helps me in whatever I do next. I’ve been coaching volleyball at the Richmond Volleyball Club working with little kids and getting their careers started. It’s really fun teaching them but I will be playing volleyball for the rest of my life, it doesn’t end once my time at VCU is over.”
