10 Questions With ... Carter Depue -- Men's Volleyball

Our second installment of "10 Questions With ..." for this week features freshman opposite Carter Depue of the Orange Coast College men's volleyball team. 

1. So as of this interview, you guys are finally back in the same area again with conditioning. How excited are you to be back with your teammates again?

"I'm still in Northern California at the moment. I'm definitely missing it I can't wait to get back again very soon."

2. Tell us about how you first got involved with volleyball? And how did you end up at OCC?

"It's funny … I did not pick up volleyball until about two years ago! It was my senior of high school and my best friend of mine played volleyball and she's now at Louisiana Tech. I didn't get a ton of exposure because I was so new at the sport, so I decided to come to Orange Coast."

3. So last year you got to get a taste of what volleyball is like at this level compared to playing in high school or club. What were some of the biggest challenges you dealt with last year and what are some of the biggest differences playing at this level??

"It wasn't too different, but for me, my biggest challenge was changing positions. In high school I was a middle blocker and here, I've been moved to the outside. In the middle, we are more of the workhorses and we focus on blocking and defense, where on the outside, we are swinging and hitting the ball much more."

4. How would you describe playing for Travis? How would you describe his coaching style and what have you learned the most from him?

"He's taught me a lot about the sport, but aside from the skills, Travis has really taught me to be a petter person and to treat everyone with respect." 

5. Before we were allowed to return, what were some of the things you were doing to keep in shape and to continue to improve while we've been away from school for these past several months?

"I've been going to the gym every day and getting lots of touches on the ball. I've also been keeping an eye on my diet and doing lots of stretching to stay flexible."

6. If I gave you a 24-hour pass from COVID and you could do anything that you used to do, what would it be?? What do you miss the most from this isolation??

"I'd probably be at a country concert. I'm excited that life is sort of starting to get back to normal. I'd also be hanging out with my friends and not wearing a mask, that's for sure."

7. All kids like to eat … what are your favorite meals??
   1. Favorite food in general – "100% it would be sushi … love sushi rolls of all kinds."
   2. Favorite pregame meal – "Something lighter but enough carbs to get me through the match … something with chicken perhaps."
   3. Favorite meal afterwards –  "Really big calorie-heavy meal like In & Out."
8. When you're not playing volleyball, what do you enjoy doing?? Any hobbies or interests???

"Just being active, however I can. I'm at the gym every day and I like to play any sport with my friends. I enjoy playing baseball, basketball and football."

9. With us being cooped up, there has been a lot of TV-show binge-watching over the past few months. What have been some of your favorites over that time??

"My TV favorites have been 'All-American and 'Outer Banks.'"

10. What would you like to do AFTER Coast?? Are you majoring in anything at the moment?? Any long-term career goals???

For me, my ultimate goal is to become a professional athlete … either in volleyball or in baseball."