In The Nest: Katelyn Meyer Reflects On Record-Breaking Career At BGSU
by Medical Mutual
10/20/2022
During her time with the Falcons, senior outside hitter Katelyn Meyer has been part of two MAC Regular Season titles, a MAC Tournament Championship and an NCAA appearance while also breaking the program record for career attack attempts and is currently closing in on the all-time career kills record.
Q: We will lead off with a non-volleyball question. Where is the most interesting place that you have been?
Meyer: The most interesting places I have been to are Niagara Falls and Toronto in Canada. My Dad took our whole family across the border while I was in middle school and we saw all of Toronto and the Blue Jays stadium. We also got to go up the CN tower. My brothers and I had a blast seeing the city and the falls.
Q: Did you make any fun trips or do anything fun this summer?
Meyer: Over the summer my family and I went to Cancun with our other family friends. We stayed at an all-inclusive resort and got to lay on the beach together. There were also fun games at the resort where I got to play volleyball in the pool and sand volleyball with my brothers and other guests. I ended up meeting three more college volleyball players during the activities.
Q: When did you start playing volleyball and how did you know that was the sport you wanted to continue playing?
Meyer: I started playing volleyball in seventh grade. I didn’t realize I had a love for the sport until high school when I understood the game more. I learned more skills and how to strategize in the game and I think that is when I got hooked. I also loved track and field in high school so picking between the two sports was extremely difficult. However, the feeling of togetherness is something you feel stronger in volleyball so that is why I chose it.
Q: When and how did you first learn about BGSU volleyball?
Meyer: I learned about BGSU volleyball from my club coach. Her name is Coach Schramm and she helped me during my whole recruitment as a player. She is also great friends with Coach Tomic and I think they both had a feeling that BG’s team was a great fit for me. Not a day goes by that I am not grateful for the experience I have had here.
Q: What made you decide that you wanted to attend BGSU?
Meyer: The moment I knew I wanted to join the team was when I watched the girls get ready to lift during my visit. They all came out of Stroh laughing with each other after they just had a hard practice. I also know they do hard workouts so to see a team have that much fun with each other between their routine showed me they were close and loved to have fun. That is the team I wanted to be a part of. One that works hard and also has a great time doing it.
Q: Some might not know that you were a High School D-II State Champion in High Jump and the runner-up in Long Jump. What was it like to win the high jump championship?
Meyer: To win the high jump championship my senior year in high school was one of the greatest memories I have. I knew I wasn’t doing track in college so I wanted to give everything I had for the state finals. My track coaches were also an inspiration to me and I had been on a long journey with them. Especially with my high jump coach Mr. Corkin. They believed in me and taught me that a team is where everyone supports each other even though we have our individual events. The moment I won made me emotional because winning a state championship was something I was striving for since I made it to the state meet my sophomore year.
Q: How have those skills from tack and field helped you in volleyball?
Meyer: I learned so much from my time from our high school track team. How Mr. Sabo and our head coach Mrs. Sabo run the Eastwood track team is elite. She teaches that even though track is an individual sport everyone plays their part of a TEAM. They wanted us to put in the effort to give our best in every practice and act like a family towards each other. I learned that supporting each other is the simplest and best thing you can do for someone. I also learned a lot about respect. It is important to have it for yourself, your team, and especially your coaches. They taught me what it means to be a competitor. To give your best in the competitions, but also support everyone, even your competition.
Q: Since you've been at BGSU, the volleyball program has won two MCA Regular Season Championships, a MAC Tournament and appeared in the NCAA Tournament. What makes BGSU Volleyball so special and successful?
Meyer: What makes our program special is the work and dedication that everyone puts in every day. This first comes from our coaching staff who makes sure we stay present and hungry for more challenges. Our team is constantly holding each other accountable and being there for each other every day during and beyond practice.
Q: Through all of the success of the program, what has been your favorite moment as a member of the volleyball program?
Meyer: My favorite moment is always going to be thinking of Jacqueline Askin scoring the last point with our team to win the tournament during the 2020-2021 championship game. Then our whole team piled on top of each other and sprayed our coaches with water in the locker room. The feeling I had waking up the next day was a feeling of accomplishment and readiness for more I have not had before in my life.
Q: You recently broke the program record for career attack attempts and are closing in on the career kills record. What does that mean to you to hold program records?
Meyer: To hold program records is an honor. I know this is my fifth year COVID year, so I am grateful to have this chance to see what else I can accomplish at BGSU. Competing with my team is something I have always enjoyed and have enjoyed doing it for another year.
Q: You returned for your fifth season at BGSU, using your COVID season of eligibility. What was the key factor in your decision to come back?
Meyer: The biggest key factor was I wanted to compete and grow with our team for another year. The person I am today wouldn't be possible without going through BGVB’s program. I can honestly say I have grown in ways I never thought I would have and have met and made really great teammates and friends along the way. There was no way I could say no to another year.
Q: What is your major at BGSU and what made you decide to study in that field?
Meyer: I am in my Master's in Kinesiology right now which is the study of the body. I made the decision to do that so I could learn more about people’s health. This way I could go into a profession where I help people get better. Doing this is something I definitely have passion for because I have always loved to encourage and help people around me.
Q: What are your career plans after Bowling Green?
Meyer: After I graduate from my masters I plan to go into the field of cardiac rehab. I am helping at an internship right now in Fostoria and I love going every morning. I get to help people do exercises and see them slowly get better as they recover from either heart surgery or other critical health problems.
Q: Who inspired or encouraged you the most athletically growing up?
Meyer: The person who inspired me athletically while I was growing up had to be my dad. I always heard how much of an athlete he was in high school and everyone always said I got my jumping ability from him. He always wanted me to get more out of sports than just winning. He wanted me to be a part of a team and have fun over everything else. However, my grandma on my mom’s side also encouraged me through my sports in high school like no one else. She loved watching me compete, and inspired my completeness during games. She would be the one keeping her own scores in the stands during my high school games and telling me how many kills and how many missed serves I had afterwards.
Q: Do you have any pre-match superstitions or routines?
Meyer: I am not superstitious at all, however, most of our team is. I don’t really have a routine either besides texting my grandma back after she wishes me luck before every game.
Q: What is your go-to meal?
Meyer: My go-to meal is definitely grilled cheese and tomato soup. You can never go wrong with it.
Q: Where is your favorite spot on campus?
Meyer: My favorite spot on campus is the union. It is where I can get coffee, meet friends, and go to my bible study club once a week. The other place I love to go to is the new business building to study.
Q: Describe Coach Tomic in one word…
Meyer: INSPIRING
