Meet Crystal Graff
March 29, 2011 | Volleyball
March 29, 2011
MADISON, Wis. – When Crystal Graff joined the Wisconsin volleyball at semester break, the Badgers added one of the top prep players in the nation to their spring roster. Graff, a 6-3 outside hitter, graduated early from La Follette High School here in Madison and joined the UW team in January.
She has been practicing with the team this spring and made her debut in the Cardinal and White last weekend at the Great Lakes Collegiate Invitational. Graff averaged 2.1 kills per set in her opening weekend with her best match coming vs. Western Michigan, where she led the Badgers with nine kills, including several out of the back row.
As a prep, Graff was the two-time Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year. She was ranked 21st by PrepVolleyball.com on its Senior Aces and was a member of the Team USA that won a silver medal at the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.
Why did you choose the University of Wisconsin? I’ve grown up going to Badger games and always dreamed of once playing here myself so it just felt like the right fit for me.
What does it mean to be a Badger? It’s huge! It’s such an honor to represent my home state and it’s so surreal to be around athletes I’ve grown up watching.
Off the Court with Crystal Graff
Family members: My parents are Carolyn and Roger and I have an older sister, Michelle.
Family members who competed in college athletics: My dad and sister both did crew their freshman years at UW.
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, hanging with friends,
Do you do any volunteer activities? In high school, I was in SAAC where we did various things around the community like raking, organizing a 5K run, food drive, etc. I was also in National Honors Society
Favorites - Spot on campus: Memorial Union; TV Show: Glee; Book: The Kite Runner; Athlete: Aaron Rodgers; Volleyball Player: Eli Sharping; Sports team: Badgers…duhh
First started volleyball: in 4th grade so I was 10
Most memorable volleyball match: The match we played again Middleton to make it to state my senior year in high school.
My favorite thing about Wisconsin volleyball is: My teammates, they’re so funny and can always cheer me up after a long day of school
Before each match, I: Just relax and try to clear my mind
One word that describes the team: Hilarious
One word that describes me: Chill
My teammates say I am: Quiet
Favorite thing to do off the court with my teammates is: Just hang out and watch movies
Most memorable volleyball achievement: Winning Gatorade Player of the Year two years in a row
Is there something significant about your uniform number? It was my number when I played in high school.
The best thing about the Field House is: its history
Who is the funniest player on the team? Nellie
Who is the best-dressed player on the team? Kirby
Who is the sloppiest player on the team? Nellie
What would you be doing if you weren’t playing collegiate volleyball? Probably still going to UW just as a regular student.
The best thing about Madison is: The lakes and the Capitol, they make the city very unique and pretty.
Dream as a collegiate player: To win the national championship.
Fantasy job/career: Sports Medicine Doctor
Persons most admired: My dad and my sister
My most prized possession is: My Macbook
I can’t live without: My cell phone
My secret addiction is: sugar cereal and milk
Weird thing about me that almost no one knows: I grew up in one house my entire life.
The community service activity or group I most like: I really like doing stuff for people around the community because it makes an immediate impact.
If you could guest star in a TV show it would be? One Tree Hill
The best sporting events you ever attended was? When the Badgers beat Ohio State in football and basketball this year.
You won’t catch me eating: Cucumbers
Nobody knows how much I love to: sing in the car
Greatest Invention of the last 100 years: Moped
If I could live any place in the world it would be: Italy
If you could spend a week anywhere in the world: Australia
If I could live in any time period, it would be: Now
A non-athletic talent I have is: baking
If I had a million dollars: I would save most of it but also go one a shopping spree
If you could have any talent: to draw
Post-college plans: Get a job working as a trainer with athletes
Career goal: Become a sports trainer or doctor for college athletics
Most famous person I’ve ever met: President Barack Obama
If I was Coach Waite for the day, I would: Let the team play games all day for practice
If I could have one superpower, it would be: to fly
My dream date would be: James Lafferty
What are you most thankful for? My height and ability to play sports
What are you passionate about? Being the best volleyball player I can be.
My favorite website is: Facebook
My favorite quote or motto is: “Shoot for the moon because if you miss, you’ll land among the stars”
My bucket list includes: travel to Australia
