Photo by: Ross Turteltaub
Getting to Know... Emily Ryan
November 19, 2020 | Women's Volleyball
The 14th installment of "Getting to Knowโฆ" features Emily Ryan, a redshirt junior on the women's volleyball team. Ryan, a native of Maryland, talks about her journey from the east coast to UCLA, what it's like practicing during the pandemic and advice she would give to her freshman self.
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Q: How has practice been going?
ย
A: Practice has been going really well. It's definitely a change compared to our normal life without having to wear masks. But it's definitely a great opportunity to be able to play with a full team at practice. We are doing six on six and going live so that's very exciting. I've gotten to see that our team is really stacked. We have arms everywhere. We have a great defensive team.
ย
Q: What have been some of the challenges with practicing during this pandemic?
ย
A: Definitely staying positive. Especially with balancing school and having it be online. Definitely finding ways to focus on time management. With COVID, our schedule has changed, so we have weights in the morning, practice at night and class during the day. Just trying to stay on top of things being a student-athlete.
ย
Q: What was your reaction to your redshirt junior season being postponed to 2021?
ย
A: Originally I was extremely bummed only because we had been working so hard and I could see that this was going to be a really good season for us. However, health and safety do come first. It was kind of nice knowing that the NCAA was doing their absolute best to make sure that the health of players was being considered. But I'm just trying to stay as positive as I can.
ย
Q: When did you start playing volleyball and when did you know you were going to be able to succeed at a high level?
ย
A: I started playing volleyball a lot later than everyone else. I started playing when I was 14. Before that I played soccer, basketball, dance, ballet, swim and dive, tennis, everything you could think of. During my freshman year of high school, Rhamat Alhassan, who played volleyball at Florida, was a senior and she came up to me in the hallway and said 'if you don't try out for this sport then we're never going to talk to you again.' So I came to tryouts and she said 'I could see you going far.' That was a big moment for me. This amazing athlete who switched to play volleyball in her junior year of high school telling me I could go far in this. And that's when all my focus switched. I've always been the type of person who tries to push myself, and my parents have pushed me my whole life. And they asked me 'it's my decision, where do you want to go?' I wanted to follow Rhamat's footsteps. I went to Metro (club volleyball). I had all her same coaches. And now I'm playing volleyball at UCLA.
ย
Q: Going back to the recruiting process a few years ago, what was it that brought you from the east coast to UCLA?
ย
A: At first, I never thought I'd play for UCLA. When I was young, I thought I'd play on the east coast, stay close to home, go to one of my parents' schools, Maryland or Wake Forest. And then my sophomore year, I had to do a school project about where I see myself in two-to-three years, and I was thinking about UCLA business school, which isn't happening anymore because I'm a history major, but also play volleyball. I turned my project in and my teacher asked if I had ever considered UCLA volleyball and I was like 'no, they are just too good.' Then at Nationals my junior year, we were in Louisiana and my dad pointed out that a man was watching me and it was (UCLA head coach Michael) Sealy. He wasn't wearing anything UCLA and he was there every single day. Then I got a phone call from Sealy when we were leaving and he said that we have a full offer for you. It was never really on my radar but I thought that it would be an amazing opportunity for me. It was very spontaneous because usually I really have to look into it. But I just knew that UCLA was a top public school and the athletics are amazing. Nobody has ever been disappointed in UCLA. And I thought what am I risking here? You can't go wrong. You'd be living in L.A. I'm from a smallish town in Maryland. Why not? You only get this chance once. And I did it. No regrets. Best decision I ever made.
ย
Q: You redshirted in 2017. What were some of the good things you learned during that season that have helped you over the last two seasons?
ย
A: The speed of the game was another level from high school to college. People said there are a few little challenges in college, but nobody ever said the speed of the game was ten times faster. I did realize that things get easier as long as you just focus on one little detail. As a middle, I remember asking Kyra (Rogers) and (Madeleine) Gates what is the one thing you focus on. And they said to just focus on blocking and the certain way you need to block each hitter. When looking at the scouting report you get, don't take it all in because it's just going to confuse you. I feel that has helped me really slow down the game. Because if I'm focusing in on all the little things, then the game is chaotic to me.
ย
Q:ย What advice would you give to your freshman self?
ย
A: Don't be afraid to try new experiences and don't be afraid to speak up, especially in the classroom. I was a very silent, quiet freshman. I did not like participating in class. I did not like when all eyes were on me. And I realized that you're never going to see these people again unless they are in your major or an athlete. Everyone is going through the same thing you are as a freshman. In terms of trying new experiences, being from Maryland, you're never going to get to try these things again. So why not try it out. I've been going to fancy restaurants, because you don't get that at home. I'd go down Rodeo Drive just to experience what people do every day, because to me it's like I'm walking in a movie. My freshman self would be in my dorm room doing schoolwork and staying in my own bubble. But you just need to go out there and explore. You only have so many opportunities. Why not take them?
ย
Q: What have been some of your favorite moments as a Bruin?
ย
A: My first would be getting a chance to become friends with all the athletes. Because you're coming in as a freshman and you only know your team. And being able to get to know all the other athletes who are in the same boat as you, that was a great experience. Tying with that would be when we made it to the Sweet 16 when we went to Florida. And we had our amazing adventure home with our flight, something I'd never want to experience ever again. It was definitely an experience for the books, but I'll never forget that.
Q: What are the three things you miss the most about home?
ย
A: Definitely my family. My puppy Oakley. And also the change in seasons. I miss winter. I miss leaves actually falling on the ground. I miss jumping into leaf piles. I honestly miss the humidity. I don't want to be in it 24/7, but I kind of miss it.
ย
Previous "Getting to Know..." Publications
Obi Eboh โ Football
Carlie Dorostkar โ Cross Country/Track & Field
Sam Feit โ Men's Tennis
Sam Baron โ Swimming and Diving
Kengo Aoshima โ Men's Golf
Aislynn Crowder โ Women's Soccer
Kevin Diaz โ Men's Soccer
Frida Esparza โ Gymnastics
DJ Lawson โ Cross Country/Track & Field
Emily Bessoir โ Women's Basketball
Johnny Juzangย - Men's Basketball
Thessa Malau'uluย - Softball
Mo Kenney - Men's Water Polo
ย
ย
Q: How has practice been going?
ย
A: Practice has been going really well. It's definitely a change compared to our normal life without having to wear masks. But it's definitely a great opportunity to be able to play with a full team at practice. We are doing six on six and going live so that's very exciting. I've gotten to see that our team is really stacked. We have arms everywhere. We have a great defensive team.
ย
Q: What have been some of the challenges with practicing during this pandemic?
ย
A: Definitely staying positive. Especially with balancing school and having it be online. Definitely finding ways to focus on time management. With COVID, our schedule has changed, so we have weights in the morning, practice at night and class during the day. Just trying to stay on top of things being a student-athlete.
ย
Q: What was your reaction to your redshirt junior season being postponed to 2021?
ย
A: Originally I was extremely bummed only because we had been working so hard and I could see that this was going to be a really good season for us. However, health and safety do come first. It was kind of nice knowing that the NCAA was doing their absolute best to make sure that the health of players was being considered. But I'm just trying to stay as positive as I can.
ย
Q: When did you start playing volleyball and when did you know you were going to be able to succeed at a high level?
ย
A: I started playing volleyball a lot later than everyone else. I started playing when I was 14. Before that I played soccer, basketball, dance, ballet, swim and dive, tennis, everything you could think of. During my freshman year of high school, Rhamat Alhassan, who played volleyball at Florida, was a senior and she came up to me in the hallway and said 'if you don't try out for this sport then we're never going to talk to you again.' So I came to tryouts and she said 'I could see you going far.' That was a big moment for me. This amazing athlete who switched to play volleyball in her junior year of high school telling me I could go far in this. And that's when all my focus switched. I've always been the type of person who tries to push myself, and my parents have pushed me my whole life. And they asked me 'it's my decision, where do you want to go?' I wanted to follow Rhamat's footsteps. I went to Metro (club volleyball). I had all her same coaches. And now I'm playing volleyball at UCLA.
ย
Q: Going back to the recruiting process a few years ago, what was it that brought you from the east coast to UCLA?
ย
A: At first, I never thought I'd play for UCLA. When I was young, I thought I'd play on the east coast, stay close to home, go to one of my parents' schools, Maryland or Wake Forest. And then my sophomore year, I had to do a school project about where I see myself in two-to-three years, and I was thinking about UCLA business school, which isn't happening anymore because I'm a history major, but also play volleyball. I turned my project in and my teacher asked if I had ever considered UCLA volleyball and I was like 'no, they are just too good.' Then at Nationals my junior year, we were in Louisiana and my dad pointed out that a man was watching me and it was (UCLA head coach Michael) Sealy. He wasn't wearing anything UCLA and he was there every single day. Then I got a phone call from Sealy when we were leaving and he said that we have a full offer for you. It was never really on my radar but I thought that it would be an amazing opportunity for me. It was very spontaneous because usually I really have to look into it. But I just knew that UCLA was a top public school and the athletics are amazing. Nobody has ever been disappointed in UCLA. And I thought what am I risking here? You can't go wrong. You'd be living in L.A. I'm from a smallish town in Maryland. Why not? You only get this chance once. And I did it. No regrets. Best decision I ever made.
ย
Q: You redshirted in 2017. What were some of the good things you learned during that season that have helped you over the last two seasons?
ย
A: The speed of the game was another level from high school to college. People said there are a few little challenges in college, but nobody ever said the speed of the game was ten times faster. I did realize that things get easier as long as you just focus on one little detail. As a middle, I remember asking Kyra (Rogers) and (Madeleine) Gates what is the one thing you focus on. And they said to just focus on blocking and the certain way you need to block each hitter. When looking at the scouting report you get, don't take it all in because it's just going to confuse you. I feel that has helped me really slow down the game. Because if I'm focusing in on all the little things, then the game is chaotic to me.
ย
Q:ย What advice would you give to your freshman self?
ย
A: Don't be afraid to try new experiences and don't be afraid to speak up, especially in the classroom. I was a very silent, quiet freshman. I did not like participating in class. I did not like when all eyes were on me. And I realized that you're never going to see these people again unless they are in your major or an athlete. Everyone is going through the same thing you are as a freshman. In terms of trying new experiences, being from Maryland, you're never going to get to try these things again. So why not try it out. I've been going to fancy restaurants, because you don't get that at home. I'd go down Rodeo Drive just to experience what people do every day, because to me it's like I'm walking in a movie. My freshman self would be in my dorm room doing schoolwork and staying in my own bubble. But you just need to go out there and explore. You only have so many opportunities. Why not take them?
ย
Q: What have been some of your favorite moments as a Bruin?
ย
A: My first would be getting a chance to become friends with all the athletes. Because you're coming in as a freshman and you only know your team. And being able to get to know all the other athletes who are in the same boat as you, that was a great experience. Tying with that would be when we made it to the Sweet 16 when we went to Florida. And we had our amazing adventure home with our flight, something I'd never want to experience ever again. It was definitely an experience for the books, but I'll never forget that.
Q: What are the three things you miss the most about home?
ย
A: Definitely my family. My puppy Oakley. And also the change in seasons. I miss winter. I miss leaves actually falling on the ground. I miss jumping into leaf piles. I honestly miss the humidity. I don't want to be in it 24/7, but I kind of miss it.
ย
| What's better: Set-clinching kill or solo block? | Solo block because I celebrate harder after those. |
| Favorite non-volleyball activities? | Shopping, watching Netflix and going to the beach. |
| If you could live anywhere you've never lived before, where would it be? | Bali. I've seen photos and it's gorgeous. |
| Favorite thing to do in L.A.? | Going to Santa Monica because you have the beach, food and shopping. |
| Place in L.A. you have yet to visit but want to badly? | Big Bear |
| Favorite non-athletic spot on campus? | Janss Steps |
| Favorite musical artist? | Thomas Rhett |
| Favorite movie? | Grown Ups |
| Favorite television show? | Friends |
| What is your go-to post-match meal? | In-N-Out or Chick-fil-A |
| Favorite non-volleyball sport? | NFL Football |
| Future career goal? | Marketing for any big company |
Previous "Getting to Know..." Publications
Obi Eboh โ Football
Carlie Dorostkar โ Cross Country/Track & Field
Sam Feit โ Men's Tennis
Sam Baron โ Swimming and Diving
Kengo Aoshima โ Men's Golf
Aislynn Crowder โ Women's Soccer
Kevin Diaz โ Men's Soccer
Frida Esparza โ Gymnastics
DJ Lawson โ Cross Country/Track & Field
Emily Bessoir โ Women's Basketball
Johnny Juzangย - Men's Basketball
Thessa Malau'uluย - Softball
Mo Kenney - Men's Water Polo
ย
Players Mentioned
MB
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