Like thousands of other college freshmen across the country, ASU freshman libero Katie Fontes recently left her family and home to attend college.
Fontes begins her first year in the Valley of the Sun this fall as a member of the ASU volleyball team and is one of six freshmen additions to the Sun Devil squad this season.
Fontes hails from Rocklin, Calif., and attended St. Francis High School in nearby Sacramento.
In high school, she was a two-year captain of the Troubadours' volleyball team. The young libero was also a member of both the Cal Synergy and Nor Cal Select club volleyball teams.
The State Press had the chance to sit down with Fontes to discuss her first season in the desert and life as a Sun Devil.
The State Press: How has the transition from California to Arizona gone so far?
Katie Fontes: It’s been really good so far. The heat, it’s a little hot. I really like it so far. Everyone is really nice and welcoming.
SP: Coming out of high school, why did you choose to attend ASU?
KF: I really liked it when I visited. I really liked [coach Jason Watson] when I met him. They were all really nice, and I really like the way they run the program here.
I’m excited to grow in the volleyball program and learn a lot from the older people on the team and get better.
SP: What are some of the things you enjoy about ASU and Tempe?
Fontes: I definitely really like the area. It’s a lot different than where I’m from. I’m adjusting really well. I can see myself here for the next four years.
SP: Have you gotten to experience Arizona a little bit outside of Tempe?
KF: We went to the student athlete pool party at the Arizona Grand [Resort] so I’ve seen a little bit around the area. I definitely like that it is a college town and that everyone here is for our school.
SP: Even though the season just started, what is the biggest competitive difference you have noticed from high school volleyball to collegiate volleyball?
KF: Everyone is really athletic. Obviously everyone who plays in college, they are the best players in the country. Everyone is athletic so you have to take it up to the next level and really pick up your game and step up your competition level.
SP: What are your thoughts and feelings about this year’s team?
KF: We are doing really well so far. We have definitely improved a lot since the first day. We just finished two-a-days; those were fun. I’d say we are going to do really well this year.
SP: With all the practice and hard work going into the season, what do you hope to accomplish personally as a player this year?
KF: This year, they are teaching me a lot of new techniques and different ways [to play]. So I’m hoping to get those down and especially be ready to go next year.
SP: What aspects of your game have you been working to improve and learn from what your coaches have been teaching?
KF: My form of passing is different, and they are teaching me a new way. It’s definitely more challenging than I thought. I’ve really been working on it, and I hope to master that by this year.
SP: Senior libero Sarah Johnson is a strong leader for the team and at your position. What do you hope to continue at the position once she graduates?
KF: She is really good at, when we are all down, helping us get back up and making sure we stay together as a team. That’s a really good quality I hope to continue when she leaves.
SP: After opening the 2010 season on the road last weekend, are you looking forward to the home opener this Friday in Tempe?
KF: It should be fun, our first tournament at home. Hopefully a lot of people will come. It’s obviously a different feeling than high school, and it’s exciting. I’m really looking forward to it.
Reach the reporter at gregory.dillard@asu.edu
