Temple University Athletics
Digging Deeper with Temple Volleyball: Simmons & Grattan
9.15.15 | Women's Volleyball
Throughout the 2015 season, two volleyball student-athletes will be featured in our "Digging Deeper" player features each week. This week, get to know sophomore Janine Simmons and junior Caroline Grattan.
How long have you been playing volleyball and how did you start?
Simmons: I've been playing volleyball since eighth grade and I started after I saw my mom put me in some volleyball clinics after some of my sister's coaches suggested that I should try the sport out.
Grattan: I've been playing for 9 years. I started volleyball because I was on the basketball team in middle school, but I wasn't very good. The coach for volleyball saw me practicing and said I should try out for his team instead since I was more of jumper than a shooter.
What is your dream job?
Simmons: My dream job is to work in counterterrorism with a federal agency.
Grattan: My dream job is to own a sustainable developments firm in Australia or New Zealand!
If you could play any sport (other than volleyball, of course) what would it be and why?
Simmons: I would play soccer. I started playing when I was 7 years old and it was the first sport that I was truly passionate about.
Grattan: I would say tennis because I took the tennis class offered by the kinesiology department last year and really liked it.
What is your pre-match ritual?
Simmons: I really like to listen to music to pump me up before a game. The playlist will change depending on who we are playing and what my mood is going into the game. I also normally eat a few S'mores flavored granola bars before that game. I also like to try and coordinate the color of my headband to what color jersey we are wearing.
Grattan: I don't really have a pre-match ritual, but I always put my gear on in the same order before games if that counts. Right knee-pad then left, right ankle brace then the left one, and so on.
Who is the best dancer on the team?
Simmons: Izzy, she has a lot of really weird dance moves that she does in the corner by her locker, but they're always entertaining to watch.
Grattan: Dara. Just turn on some Serbian music and the girl goes nuts.
What is your dream vacation destination and why?
Simmons: My dream vacation destination is Rome. I've always wanted to go and see all of the ancient temples and monuments. I'm a huge history nerd so I think it would be amazing to see everything in person.
Grattan: I would say Thailand. I've been wanting to go ever since I saw the movie "Eat, Pray, Love". I can't get over how beautiful it looked there.
What has been your favorite memory of playing volleyball at Temple?
Simmons: I have always loved the game when we played UCF at home last year. We had such an amazing crowd to support us and our energy was great. I think that the amount of fun that we had during that game absolutely helped us to win and break their undefeated win streak.
Grattan: My favorite memory definitely has to be when we beat UCF at home. Unfortunately I didn't get to play in the match, but that was easily the most exciting game I've ever watched.
Favorites:
Simmons:
Food: Eggplant parmesan from Olive Garden
TV Show: Survivor
Movie: The Princess Bride
Color: Yellow
Ice cream flavor: Butter pecan
Place to be on campus: The SAC
Grattan:
Food: Mac n' Cheese
TV Show: Game of Thrones
Movie: The Prestige
Color: Turquoise
Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Place to be on campus: one of the comfy sofa chairs in the library that looks out towards the bell tower
How long have you been playing volleyball and how did you start?
Simmons: I've been playing volleyball since eighth grade and I started after I saw my mom put me in some volleyball clinics after some of my sister's coaches suggested that I should try the sport out.
Grattan: I've been playing for 9 years. I started volleyball because I was on the basketball team in middle school, but I wasn't very good. The coach for volleyball saw me practicing and said I should try out for his team instead since I was more of jumper than a shooter.
What is your dream job?
Simmons: My dream job is to work in counterterrorism with a federal agency.
Grattan: My dream job is to own a sustainable developments firm in Australia or New Zealand!
If you could play any sport (other than volleyball, of course) what would it be and why?
Simmons: I would play soccer. I started playing when I was 7 years old and it was the first sport that I was truly passionate about.
Grattan: I would say tennis because I took the tennis class offered by the kinesiology department last year and really liked it.
What is your pre-match ritual?
Simmons: I really like to listen to music to pump me up before a game. The playlist will change depending on who we are playing and what my mood is going into the game. I also normally eat a few S'mores flavored granola bars before that game. I also like to try and coordinate the color of my headband to what color jersey we are wearing.
Grattan: I don't really have a pre-match ritual, but I always put my gear on in the same order before games if that counts. Right knee-pad then left, right ankle brace then the left one, and so on.
Who is the best dancer on the team?
Simmons: Izzy, she has a lot of really weird dance moves that she does in the corner by her locker, but they're always entertaining to watch.
Grattan: Dara. Just turn on some Serbian music and the girl goes nuts.
What is your dream vacation destination and why?
Simmons: My dream vacation destination is Rome. I've always wanted to go and see all of the ancient temples and monuments. I'm a huge history nerd so I think it would be amazing to see everything in person.
Grattan: I would say Thailand. I've been wanting to go ever since I saw the movie "Eat, Pray, Love". I can't get over how beautiful it looked there.
What has been your favorite memory of playing volleyball at Temple?
Simmons: I have always loved the game when we played UCF at home last year. We had such an amazing crowd to support us and our energy was great. I think that the amount of fun that we had during that game absolutely helped us to win and break their undefeated win streak.
Grattan: My favorite memory definitely has to be when we beat UCF at home. Unfortunately I didn't get to play in the match, but that was easily the most exciting game I've ever watched.
Favorites:
Simmons:
Food: Eggplant parmesan from Olive Garden
TV Show: Survivor
Movie: The Princess Bride
Color: Yellow
Ice cream flavor: Butter pecan
Place to be on campus: The SAC
Grattan:
Food: Mac n' Cheese
TV Show: Game of Thrones
Movie: The Prestige
Color: Turquoise
Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Place to be on campus: one of the comfy sofa chairs in the library that looks out towards the bell tower
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