In The Nest: Jessica Andrews On Representing Canada On The Court
by Medical Mutual
8/28/2024
Entering her third season with the Falcons, Jessica Andrews takes pride in playing for not only the Falcons, but for her country, Canada, on an international level.
Q: We will lead off with a non-volleyball question. Did you do anything fun or special this summer?
Andrews: At the start of summer my sister and I visited the Bruce Peninsula. The chance to spend time together surrounded by nature and clear blue water was special. As we get older it’s becoming more challenging to find time together, so the trip was especially significant.
Q: Over the summer you competed with Volleyball Canada at the Women Final Six Pan American Cup. Describe the feeling of representing your country in the sport of volleyball.
Andrews: Opportunities to wear the leaf come with a sense of pride. A lot of players want to represent their nation so when you earn an opportunity you really want to honor it and play with gratitude. When we do that together we’re all giving our best and it’s a lot of fun!
Q: The matches with Canada were in the Dominican Republic. Did you do any sightseeing on the trip?
Andrews: Although our schedule in the Dominican Republic was not conductive of any sightseeing, we embraced the opportunity to explore Coney Island after our layover got cancelled in New York. Time in the sun on the boardwalk and by the beach made for memorable moments in our travel adventure (a light amongst delays, the cancellation, and a missed flight).
Q: When did you start playing volleyball and how did you know that was the sport you wanted to continue playing?
Andrews: I started playing volleyball when I was 12. After playing both soccer and volleyball competitively for two years I settled on volleyball. Initially I chose volleyball because soccer was not going as well as I had hoped. I knew I wanted to continue playing when I became a part of the Kitchener Waterloo Predators Synergy team. Aside from numerous accolades including two provincial and three national titles, Synergy was the epitome of team. I am forever grateful for each of its members and all that we share; you made volleyball special.
Q: When and how did you first learn about BGSU Volleyball?
Andrews: I first learned about the volleyball program at Bowling Green through my sister’s club teammate and BGSU alumni, Hanna Laube. The next year her sister, Belle, and I played at the same beach volleyball club creating lots of opportunities to hear more about Hanna’s experience at BGSU. The Laube family’s willingness to share helped me navigate the recruiting process and led me to reach out to BG.
Q: What made you decide that you wanted to attend BGSU?
Andrews: Visiting BGSU was definitely the deciding factor! The coaches and players did a great job expressing the program from across the border but when I got to campus it was something I could feel. Care for each other, the program, and the community was evident. I knew it was more than words — that BGSU and our volleyball program are special.
Q: Being an international athlete, how was the transition to BGSU when you first came to Bowling Green?
Andrews: I knew the transition to BGSU would be quick. Provincial team commitments meant my teammate Lauryn [Hovey] and I would miss our first day of college (as a bonus we traveled to Tennessee for our first preseason tournament just days later). Inevitably, it was a chaotic and overwhelming time. But, with the support of teammates and the consideration of staff it was nearly seamless. It was reassuring to know how many people were in our corner to help; an appropriate example of the BG community we’ve come to know!
Q: How long have you been playing with Canada's national team?
Andrews: I have been part of Volleyball Canada’s developmental pathways for three years. Lauryn and I trained for four months in British Columbia as part of the National Excellence Program in 2021. Last summer I competed with the u23 team at the Pan American Cup and this year I was a part of the NextGen training group earning an opportunity to compete at the NORCECA Final Six event.
Q: What has been your favorite memory or moment when playing for Canada?
Andrews: In many regards international competitions are unpredictable, my favorite memories playing for Canada are the ways we embrace and adapt to that. On court the competition is strong — there’s a lot of moments when we realize we are not there yet. It’s good motivation; it challenges us to find creative solutions and be good learners.
Q: What is one of your favorite moments as a Falcon?
Andrews: One of my favorite moments was the Hampton Invitational tournament my freshman year. It was the first time my family got to be a part of the environment at the Stroh Center and the most recent time my sister and I have spent our birthday together. [Fun fact: my older sister and I were born exactly three years apart] Spending time with my family and having their support at my first home game is a great memory.
Q: What are you looking forward to about the 2024 season?
Andrews: I am looking forward to competing alongside my teammates. We have a lot of new faces and a lot of personality; it’s a fun environment that I’m excited to bring to our matches!
Q: What will it be like playing on a Taraflex floor at the Stroh Center?
Andrews: Having our own lines, playing on a court specifically for our sport comes with a sense of pride. It demonstrates value not only for our sport but the legacy we continue to build with our volleyball program. More than that, I’m grateful for the contributions of Mo and Jon Stansbery. Their enthusiasm and unconditional support are part of what makes our program so special! Having the court named after the two of them only extends their impact. It’s a reminder of what it means to give willingly to one another, capturing the essence of the BG community. It means a lot to our team, and I know we will be striving to honor them each time we set foot to the floor!
Q: What are some of the most valuable lessons you can take away from BGSU and BGVB?
Andrews: A valuable lesson that I continue to learn is to be present with each moment, as is. In volleyball we remind each other not to make any point bigger than it is. It’s the same in life; when we meet ourselves where we are, we can move forward with what we want to represent. When we chose to be present, we chose to recognize and assert control over our circumstance. We become active players in our own lives.
Q: What are you currently majoring in?
Andrews: Business with a specialization in marketing and minor in psychology.
Q: What are your career plans after Bowling Green?
Andrews: I aspire to play professionally after my time in Bowling Green! Beyond that, I am open to and will continue to explore career opportunities.
Q: Who inspired or encouraged you the most athletically growing up?
Andrews: Growing up, my parents encouraged our athletic pursuits. They were always willing to support us. I remember going to the track to practice before my school meets; they’d time us and help us measure. They inspired us to be dedicated and invest in our goals. It was clear that with great effort we would achieve or at least improve our performance.
Q: What is your go-to restaurant and/or meal?
Andrews: Anything from Breka (a Canadian bakery and cafe).
Q: Where is your favorite spot on campus?
Andrews: The Maurer Center.
Q: Describe Coach Tomic in one word…
Andrews: Inquisitive.
