RAMIRO CASTRO JR./THE RIDER PHOTOS
Claudia Lupescu is a general studies sophomore from Bucharest, Romania. She is an outside hitter for the UTRGV Volleyball Team.
Q: What do you like to do in your downtime?
A: “Just taking rest because we do a lot of practices, and I’m just taking my time resting.”
Q: What does your practice schedule look like?
A: “We practice and we have twice a day, the practice for like one hour and a half and then another practice at night, and we also condition or lifting in the morning.”
Q: What made you want to play in the United States?
A: “I came here for the opportunity to study and also to play volleyball.”
Q: What is your major?
A: “My major right now is gonna be a major that is not here at the moment. [It’s] going to come in spring. It’s, basically, on human management. But it’s not right here [at] the moment. I’m just doing, like, general studies.”
Q: Who has been your biggest inspiration or role model in volleyball?
A: “My favorite player is a Turkish player. Her name is Hande Baladin and she’s been my role model since I was little.”
Q: What are your career plans after you graduate?
A: “I’m planning to play professional. I wish I can play in America professional, and I hope they’re gonna create a league and so I’ll finish here. But if not, we’ll see what [the] future decides.”
Q: How would you describe yourself in one word?
A: “Motivated.”
Q: What has been your biggest motivator in academics?
A: “I’m just trying to reach the highest that I can. It’s pretty hard with a lot of practices at the same time and trying to balance volleyball and school at the same time, but I’m just trying to keep up with classes and everything.”
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: “Pasta.”
–Compiled by Matthew Gonzalez
