Badgering: Dominique Thompson
November 20, 2014 | Volleyball
Nov. 20, 2014
MADISON, Wis. -- If you ask senior Dominique Thompson who are her favorite teams to play, one of her answers will be Minnesota. The native of Plymouth, Minnesota, talks about what it’s like to play against her dad’s alma mater and also how the team has changed from last season.
Being a Minnesota native and with your dad being a Minnesota grad and working with the Gopher football broadcasts, what’s it like to play the Golden Gophers?
“It’s a different kind of experience because I get to have everyone I care about there and seeing my Dad where Wisconsin stuff is really awesome! My family all wears Minnesota stuff when there are Minnesota games but to see everyone wearing red, including my dad’s old football friends who come to the game, it’s awesome to have everyone’s support in Gopher territory.”
Is it the same for when you go to Iowa since your mom played volleyball with the Hawkeyes?
“Two years ago, my aunt, who also played volleyball at Iowa, came to the game with my mom and they were talking to people from Iowa while wearing red. It’s not the same as Minnesota since that’s my home state but it’s very similar.”
With your family history of volleyball, were you expected to play the sport?
“Volleyball was something that was always in the back of the mind as something I could do and have success at but no one really pushed me to do it because I wanted to play basketball. They just pushed in basketball until I decided to play volleyball then everyone was extremely supportive but never too pushy.”
Your sister is a freshman setter at VCU but you have to younger brothers who are also athletes.
“My brothers are definitely athletic. They are into basketball and football and I’m hoping that each one choses one to pursue. One is a junior in high school and I’m hoping he plays football. The other one is a freshman and I’m hoping he plays basketball so I get to watch both sports for a few more years.”
After last year’s NCAA runner-up finish, the team only lost one starter to graduation. How has the team changed from last season?
“Everyone is finding a new role and growing their leadership within the team. I think that last year we had a lot of leadership from Annemarie (Hickey) and this year we didn’t have one person who was a true leader. I like it how we have it this year. Everyone holds everyone else accountable and it’s a really cool atmosphere on the team.”
How has the team improved from the start of the season?
“There are a lot of things that we were doing at the start of the season that we don’t do now that shows our improvement. Every day the coaches don’t give us too much to work on but every day we have a little something that we want to get better at and I think that’s improved everybody’s game. It’s really cool to watch everyone growing.”
The team blocking has also really improved. Is that something you work on in practice or something that improves the more you play?
“I think it’s both. We work on it in practice and we have keys to improve. It’s definitely something that we’ve worked on but also something that has gotten better throughout the season just with playing.”
You graduate in December with a degree in community and non-profit organizations with a certificate in entrepreneurship. What are you post-college plans?
“I have things that I might do. I might go back to Minnesota. I might play volleyball. I don’t really know exactly. There is nothing that I know for sure. I have ideas of what I want to do but I don’t know yet.”
QUICK Qs WITH DOMINIQUE
Earliest volleyball memory: Peppering with my mom outside when I was around 10 and deciding I didn’t want to play volleyball. Good thing I changed my mind a few years later!
My favorite thing about Wisconsin volleyball is: My team and the fans
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Favorite place to play (besides the Field House): I like to play at Minnesota, because that is where I am from. I love having all my family and friends come out and show their support!
Favorite thing to do off the court with my teammates is: Make family dinners
Most memorable volleyball achievement: Beating Texas and playing in the national championship match
Is there something significant about your uniform number? It was my mom’s number!
