REDHAWK CHAT: Megan Griffin and Jackie Lang

For this week's RedHawk chat we welcomed two members of the Miami volleyball team, senior outside/middle hitter Megan Griffin and freshman defensive specialist Jackie Lang. Griffin is a two-time member of the All-MAC first team. She is currently tied for second on the team with 139 kills. Last season she set a new single-season school record with a .358 hitting percentage.

Lang is a freshman who appeared in six games, starting one before an injury sidelined her. She is currently rehabbing and looking to return to the lineup soon.

Griffin and Lang stopped by Wednedsay morning, here is a transcript of what was discussed.

MURedHawks.com: We'd like to welcome you to today's chat. Megan and Jackie are hear and ready to take your questions.

Jen (Oxford): Jackie, how is the rehab going?

Jackie Lang: I would say I am probably almost done. Probably about a week or two away from being able to play. It's pretty strong, it's just a fracture that needs to heal.

Jill (Milford): How do you balance classes with all the practicing and games?

Megan Griffin: We definitely learn a lot of time management skills and try to work ahead for classes we will miss. We also try to get a lot done on the bus.

Jackie Lang: As a freshman we have study tables, which are basically a certain amount of hours which we have to study at our student athlete development center. That ensures that we get our work done.

Seany (Centerville): What is your favorite part about being a Miami Volleyball player?

Megan Griffin: Having the opportunity to play and grow with 14 other women who have become great friends.

Chelsea (Fairfield, OH): Coach Condit has been at Miami forever. What is it about her that has allowed her to have such success and made you want to play for her?

Jackie Lang: I would say it is that she actually cares for you as a person and not just a player on the team. And she cares about other aspects of your life beyond volleyball.

Kenny (Darrtown): Is anything special happening at the volleyball matches this weekend in honor of the women's bicentennial reunion weekend?

Megan Griffin: On Saturday there is going to be a alumni game in the morning. There is also a panel of legends to talk with a lot of former women's athletes at Miami. On Sunday we are having a brunch to honor Stephanie Otten who is going into the Hall of Fame as well as the MAC Champion teams from 1997 and 1998.

Ally (Oxford): The MAC has had considerable success on the national level recently, getting three teams in the NCAA Tourney last year. Where would you say the MAC ranks as a conference compared to "power" conferences such as the Big Ten and Big 12?

Megan Griffin: The MAC does not have the respect other conferences have and maybe we do not have the height of those teams, but we have proven in the past that we can play with these teams, and so have other MAC teams as well.

Jackie Lang: Any team can beat any other team on any given day.

Fairfield: Megan, how does your performance this year compare to how you've done in years past?

Megan Griffin: As of now for just conference stats, I am hitting just as well as I did this year. This year we definitely had a challenging preseason which lowered some of my numbers. But that has made me a better competitor. We have many more matches to go so hopefully I can keep improving.

Julie (Oxford): What needs to be done to get a couple of wins this weekend?

Megan Griffin: We don't want give away the game plan, but in general ball control and defense.

Shannon (Oxford): Jackie, What has been the biggest adjustment from the high school game to the college game?

Jackie Lang: The speed of the game is at a whole new level then it was in high school. You really need to take your volleyball IQ up a notch to compete with the other Division I athletes.

Shannon (Oxford): Second question for Jackie, what is the biggest adjustment for you in general now that you are in college?

Jackie Lang: There is a lot less free time because there is more school work and more time dedicated to practicing. Your weekends are pretty much consumed by volleyball or school work. In high school that was not the case.

Florence: Megan what has been your favorite memory at Miami in four years? Are you sad that your time is coming to an end soon?

Megan Griffin: I don't think I can pick an absolute favorite memory, I've had so many with these wonderful girls. I will be very heartbroken when my final season is over, but I know I will always be there for the girls and they will be for me. If I were to pick a memory, it'd be beating Ohio during my sophomore year on their home court to end their 52-match home winning streak.

Jim (Middletown): Who is the funniest person on the team?

Megan Griffin: I am going to say Colleen Loftus. Most of the time it is unintentional on her part, which is what makes her hilarious.

Jackie Lang: I would agree with that.

Jack (Hamilton): Is there a lot of support between the athletes of different sports?

Megan Griffin: I would say yes for the most part. We especially love it when the men's and women's swimming and diving teams come and support us at our matches. They are wonderful!

Jackie Lang: We love see other teams coming to our matches and we enjoy going to see them play as well when we can.

Oxford: Megan what do you plan to do after the season is over.

Megan Griffin: I student teach next semester. From there I will hopefully be getting a "big girl" job teaching in either Cincinnati or Texas.

John (Cincinnati): You've been to two-straight NCAA Tournaments ... how do you feel about your postseason chances this season?

Megan Griffin: We have put ourselves in the position where we have to work hard throughout the rest of the season and especially the MAC Tournament if we are going to see the NCAA Tournament this season. I think with our team chemistry improving we still have a good chance of making it to the Big Dance.

Dayton: You have played a very tough non league schedule, how has that helped you for the league play.

Jackie Lang: I think the non-league schedule has benefited us because we've learned to play with some of the best teams out there. Although we may not have beat them it only helped us because playing weaker teams would not have taught us as much.

MURedHawks.com: We have time for one more question.

Karen (Lawrenceburg): Tell some funny stories about things that have happen on volleyball road trips.

Megan Griffin: We always have fun and play a lot of games on our bus trips. It hasn't happened yet, but it'll be a lot of fun when we dress up for pregame meal during our trip to Buffalo on Halloween.

MURedHawks.com: We would like to thank everyone for joining us and thank Megan and Jackie for taking time out of their busy schedules to answer your questions. Join us next week when we will have a guest from the hockey team.

REDHAWK CHAT: Megan Griffin and Jackie Lang

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