BY BARIŞ SEVİ (PSYC/III)
This week, we interviewed our men’s and women’s volleyball team captains Ozan Iğde (IE/IV) and Gizem Memiç (IAED/IV) about their teams, volleyball at Bilkent and what they expect from us Bilkenters.
Can you tell us about your teams?
G.M. & O.I.: Both teams consist of 12 people. The men’s team has won two Angora Cups and is competing in the first league. The women’s team has competed in both the first and second leagues in past years. We’re currently in the second league, working to move up to the first league.
How often should a volleyball player practice, and how often do you have practice?
G.M. & O.I.: A volleyball player should practice four to six days a week, and we’re used to that practice schedule from our school teams in the past. But unfortunately, because of classes and so much other work, we can only have practice twice a week.
When and where are you going to have your matches this year?
O.I.: The men’s first league teams will be playing in the national interuniversity tournament that will be held at Anadolu University in Eskişehir April 30-May 4. In addition, we will participate in the Angora Cup tournament, which is held at Bilkent every year as a spring festival activity.
G.M.: The women’s team will also be playing at the tournament in Eskişehir on April 30, as well as in the Angora Cup.
Can you tell us about the strengths and weaknesses of your teams?
G.M.: We’ve known each other for at least three or four years and are close friends, which provides a strong team spirit. Moreover, we know how each of our teammates plays, what our techniques are and who does what during a game. On the other hand, we are unfortunately not able to train a lot because of the lack of time. The more training you do, the more success you have.
What do you think about volleyball at Bilkent?
O.I.: Volleyball is a very popular sport at Bilkent. Whenever I go to the Dormitories Sports Hall, I see people playing volleyball and having fun. Also, volleyball tournaments for coed teams take place each year on both the East and Main campuses, and a lot of students participate in these tournaments. So it shows how popular this sport is at Bilkent.
Is there anything you expect from Bilkenters?
G.M.: We’d like to see them in the stands watching our matches and supporting us. The big tournament this year is in Eskişehir, but in May everyone can come to the Angora Cup to watch our matches.
O.I.: I see people at the sports halls who play very well, and they’re very welcome to participate in our practices. Apart from that, there are sports tournaments such as the Angora Cup that take place at Bilkent every year. We’d be very happy to see our fellow students supporting us at these tournaments.
And, just for fun, which team is better, the men’s or the women’s?
O.I.: The men’s, of course:). There’s a real difference in physical power between men and women in this game, but even if we compare the two in terms of success in their own spheres, the men’s team is better because we’ve been in the first league for a couple of years. But last year the women played in the first league, so congratulations to them on that.
G.M.: For me, the answer is definitely the women’s team:). However, I suggest that Bilkenters watch our matches and then decide for themselves which team is better.
We thank Gizem and Ozan, and wish them and their teammates good luck in their upcoming games.