April Jackson is in her junior year for the Tars Volleyball
Program. Jackson primarily plays as a setter. As one of two juniors
on a young Tar squad, Jackson is one of four co-captains providing
leadership to the team. Jackson is eighth on the Rollins all-time
assists list with 1,995. This season, Jackson has 256 assists,
averaging 4.65 per set. Jackson is fourth on the team with 101
digs. A Maitland Fla. native, Jackson is majoring in
biology.
April Jackson
Q: From Maitland, Florida, How did you decide to come to
Rollins?
A: "I knew I wanted to stay in Florida,
at lease close to Florida and play for a smaller D2 school. Rollins
wasn't in my top choices until one of my coaches came up to me and
said maybe you should consider going to Rollins. I researched it,
thought about it and ended up here. I think it is a really great
opportunity that I've had."
Q: Describe the excitement for the upcoming Crossover
Tournament.
A: "There is definitely a lot of
excitement it is the start of the second half of our season. And it
is great that we are hosting it, I think that is a great
opportunity for us to have that advantage. We are excited about it
and hopefully we will come out doing well. "
Q: How did you start playing the sport?
A: "I started playing in 5th
grade. I started playing for my school, that's when I was first
able to try out for the team and I played club in 7th
grade. I think the main reason I started was because of my cousins,
three of them played volleyball growing up and my uncle coached so
I said maybe I'll try it, it looks like fun. Two of them are
setters so I said I wanted to be a setter too. That's how I became
a setter, and they all played at college, so that was one of my
goals."
Q: What is something no one knows about you?
A: "I played the violin for seven years.
That's as far as the musical talents go."
Q: Who has motivated you the most during your
career?
A: "I've had several coaches who have
been a really great influence on me; my family especially. My mom
has always been a great supporter; she's always encouraging me
through the ups and downs. "
Q: If you could have played one other sport besides
volleyball what would it have been?
A: "Basketball. I love watching
basketball. I wish I could play more."
Q: Do you have any pregame ritual that you do before a
match?
A: "Honestly no. I don't think there is
one thing I specifically do every time. I am not superstitious at
all."
Q: Aside from volleyball, what do you like to do for
fun?
A: "Love spending time with family, hang
out with friends. I love being outdoors, playing sports and just
having fun."
Q: You are a Biology major, would you like to do with
your degree?
A: "I'm not totally sure. I want to work
behind the scenes in the medical field. Not necessarily a doctor or
nurse. Be something in public health or global health. We'll see
where life takes me."
Q: As a junior and in a new role as co-captain, what
would you like to accomplish this year with this team and
individually?
A: "Just have a strong second half. One
of our goals this year is to make it past second round of
regionals, which I think we have a great opportunity to do that
this year because we have a lot of talent and a lot of potential on
the team. Hopefully we can do that, make it to the National
Championship; which would be great."
Q: So far in your career, what has been your favorite
memory as a member of the Volleyball program?
A: "There's been a lot of great memories.
I'd say close games, big games, definitely liked beating PBA last
year at regionals. On the court just the close games, those games
where we've come out ahead. Off the court, just hanging out with
the team, having fun and spending time together that's always
fun."
