The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Catching up with: Jennifer Doris
09.29.2015 | Volleyball
Former Longhorn Jennifer Doris plays with the PFU BlueCats in Ishikawa, Japan.
Q: What are you doing now?
Jennifer: I am back in Japan (Jennifer plays middle blocker for the Japanese Team the PFU BlueCats in Ishikawa, Japan).
Q: Any lessons from The University of Texas that applies to your current career?
Jennifer: Everything that Jerritt teaches us, he gets you prepared to play at a high level, being able to take good shots, volleyball IQ stuff he has taught us, and transitions. All that stuff you can take over to the international game because it is played so differently.
Q: Any lessons that apply off court?
Jennifer: Jerritt teaches you to be a good person for later on down in life. I think the big thing is being over in Japan, is just being polite and knowing my manners, stuff like that. They really enjoy people that really show that they want to be there that are likable and that are down to earth, so as long as you are able to smile even in situations where it's not very good. When there is adversity as long as you put a smile on your face and roll with it, they will think you are just the greatest person ever.
Q: Is there anything you miss about being here at Texas?
Jennifer: My goodness, I was just talking to Jerritt about all the new amenities. They have a new locker and a new wing. We didn't have all that. We had this little locker room over here. It makes it sound like life is pretty easy for these girls right now and everything is all put together. They don't have to spend their time walking around. Transition time is cut down, so it sounds really nice.
Q: What is your training regime like?
Jennifer: I have a trainer that used to work with the Houston Astros, so there is a place where I go and work out and he runs me through every single day. I do it five times a week, just through plyos, upper body, lower body, explosiveness, multi lifts. He runs me through a whole gambit of things and every season I have gone back stronger, jumping higher, and I think it's paying off.
Q: Do you have a favorite moment from your years with Texas Volleyball?
Jennifer: I remember playing in Gregory in 2011, my senior year. We played against Purdue to go to the Final Four. It was the last time I was going to be a senior on this court and to be able to win in four sets to go to the Final Four. I just remember that celebration. It really sticks out. Of course I loved playing in the national championship and going to the all the Final Fours, but being able to go out, end your career at Gregory to go to the Final Four, it meant a lot.
Q: Do you have any advice you want you give the players now for their next step in life?
Jennifer: Enjoy it. Everything goes by so fast. You think, oh I am a freshman, I have four years and then you wake up and blink your eyes and the next thing you know is you're a senior you are graduating, you are figuring out what do to down the road and after. So I just say cherish the moment, even through the practices that are difficult. Even at times when you are stressed out, find the positive in it and just learn to enjoy it because it goes by so fast. I feel like I was just graduating at 22 and now five years later, so time goes by fast so overall just enjoy it.
Q: Where has been your favorite place to play?
Jennifer: Well, I started my career in Puerto Rico, so I lived on the beach. Practices were two hours at night, so literally I would wake up in the morning and go lie out on the beach all day long doing whatever I wanted to do during the day and then go to practice at night. Then afterward we would go to the clubs, like our coach would take us to the clubs. So I really enjoyed that but the level of play was not very good. In all around experience, I have really love Japan and that's the reason I keep going back year after year. Because they treat me so well there, anything I need they are right there to give it to me. They just take care of me really well. The girls love me, like literally I tried to speak Japanese to them and they just think it's the coolest thing ever. So I teach them English, they teach me Japanese. They love taking me around and showing me their culture. Overall I do enjoy it, and that why I keep going back there.
