Tiana Dockery....

Have to Represent the Big 12 by interviewing my little sister,  Kansas Jayhawk Alum, and professional volleyball player, Tiana Dockery!!!! 

 

 

Her Response:

1. How old are you? 

A: I am 25 years young 🤗
                   
2. What position do you play? 

A: I’m an Outside Hitter
   
3. What got you into volleyball?

A: I started playing volleyball when I was 13, my friends played so I wanted to play. Me and my mom went to the park and she taught me the basics since she played in Highschool.

4. Are you currently in or going to college? If so what school are you/will you be attending?

A: I am out of College but I went to the University of Kansas.
                                   
5. Who is your role model? 

A: My role model is my Grandma. She’s always been my rock alongside my parents and my aunts but shes always been my biggest inspiration.
     
6. As an athlete what challenges do you face on the court?

 
A: I feel they have changed for better each year I’ve played. I struggled with pressure situations and being that go to person to do that extra to win games. Sometimes the games would get ahead of me and I wouldn’t live in the moment. Serving has always been a struggle for me because of the pain it caused in my shoulder, I had to always remember to stay confident in serving and everytime I do it’s always successful. I’ve also struggled with coaches, sometimes we would butt heads based on coaching style or me wanting to become better in a particular skill even mentally. I realized that now I love the pressure I WANT to be set to make the win, I WANT that serve to be served to me and I WANT to make that game changer dig.
                                           
7. Have you ever been injured while playing? If so what did you injure and what was your recovery process? 

A: Yes, I’ve sprained my ankle and it took a few years to actually stop bothering me because I was always non-stop. I also got kneed in my sciatic nerve once and it took a year or two to actually heal because again I was always playing and never really gave myself a rest. My shoulder I would say has been up and down through my years of playing, I think that my technique and certain muscles I chose to use didn’t help so much but it’s a lot better now that I know what is causing the pain.         

             
8. Do you find it hard to be in a relationship while in season? 

A: No, I actually feel like it helped my confidence. I think the toughest part is being away for such a long period of time honestly, but with the right person, it works out just fine. FaceTime is my best friend.     

                                     
9. What number are you and why? 

 
A: I am number 7 usually, I chose number 7 because number 2 was not available in college and my bestfriend Erin Fairs was number 7 and I thought it was the best fit for me because I always wished we could be on the same team after club volleyball.                       

10. Where are you from? 

A: I am from Houston, Texas baby!

11. Would you consider playing overseas?

A: Yes, I have for about 4 seasons and love learning different cultures, playing with and against players from around the world.   

                    
12. What position do you feel is the hardest to play?

A: I would say Middle blocker, it’s a lot of fast lateral movements and jumping because they have to get to the block every time and hit to score each time they go up to hit. I think it’s difficult sometimes because the setters and middles have to connect everytime for them to be successful.

13. What do your workouts consist of? 

A: I do a lot of cardio and build endurance. I also like doing plyometrics because I’m a little shorter than most players so my vertical is key. I like to run stairs, hills and do a lot of an work.
                                   
14. How often do you work out during the week?

  
A: Ha! It depends. Most times when I’m getting in shape it’s everyday or twice a day. Sometimes it’s once ever three weeks.
               
15. Do you take protein supplements? If so why?  

A: I don’t normally unless it’s for recovery. Other than that it’s your normal protein bar but I feel I should get better with protein. I started the products from 310 nutrition which is all plant based and great flavors, I know going into the next season that will be my go to!
       
16. Have you ever thought about quitting?

A:Yes! And I say that because those moments I felt Volleyball was not my cup of tea. In college I dealt with a lot of depression and anxiety and feelings of I’m not good enough or I was just so frustrated with my own playing. I’ve had times where I just didn’t find the game fun anymore but always wanted to be in the gym and grind it out.
                           
17. How do you handle adversity?

A: I take it head on. I used to run from anything that I felt was too difficult but I learned that the only way I will personally succeed and get over that hump is to push through it and keep my faith. I know that I will always be successful and I know that everything won’t come easy so if it’s a little more challenging I take it and grind through it and past it so I can enter my next level.

18. How do you handle feedback?

A: I like feedback. I like to know the things I’m doing correctly and I want to know what I don’t do very well and how to get better at those things. If im not receiving ANY feedback I become a little frustrated honestly because I want to do things the right way and I want o be efficient. I like to contribute and help wherever I’m needed.

19. What is some advice you would give younger athletes?
A: I would tell younger athletes to live in the moment and ENJOY playing the game. Sometimes things will be difficult in their specific arena of play and also outside of their arena of play. If they get to the point of frustration, understand that you WILL overcome those obstacles if you believe you can. Sometimes it may take 30 times to perfect something and those 30 times you didn’t succeed one time. But that next moment you try again it will be a piece of cake. I think learning and understanding the game, your body, your mind is important and finding a person you can just let it all out to is crucial. To be the best you can at something is more mental than physical in my opinion, it’s not cocky if you say you’re the best and show it. Your confident in what you do. Remain humble but SHOW YOURSELF how far you can go and how great you can actually be. 

Make sure you follow my little sis on Twitter: @tianadockery and Instagram: @teemdee