March 30, 2005

This past year, the University of San Diego women's volleyball team enjoyed an enormous amount of success under sixth-year head coach Jen Petrie. Not only did Petrie guide the Toreros into the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in school history, but she also masterminded their third West Coast Conference championship in eight years, going an impressive 14-0 in WCC play. While All-Americans Devon Forster, Kristen Hurst, and Lindsey Sherburne garnered much of the media attention, San Diego would not have accomplished so much if it were not for players like Monica Peterson. The 5-8 junior is a defensive specialist who doesn't get a lot of recognition, but her passing and digging abilities are important not only during matches, but also in practice as well. One of Peterson's highlights came during the November 14 match-up against WCC rival St. Mary's College. Down 23-25 in Game 2, Peterson served seven consecutive points to put the Toreros up two games to none. San Diego would go on to win the match and claim the 2004 WCC championship. Before USD's annual Spring Fling Tournament on April 2, the anthropology major sat down with Roland Hu for a quick Q & A session.

1. How did you spend your Winter Break?

I took a week off after the season ended, but before Christmas Break, we got a weight program emailed to us from our weight training coach. I personally went to the gym three times a week, like we usually do during the season and off-season. I conditioned on my own at the beach or 30 minutes at the gym. But then I sprained my ankle two weeks before we got back, so it kind of limited what I was able to do.

How did you sprain your ankle?

Oh, just something stupid. I rolled it when I tripped.

Did you trip at the beach?

No, just walking down the stairs. How embarrassing!

Did your family go on any vacations?

No, we stayed at home. I just trained and got stuff together before school started.

Where are you from?

Los Angeles.

2. What do you like watching better: the Summer or Winter Olympics?

The Summer, just because the beach volleyball was pretty good, with Kerri Walsh and Misty May.

Would you say that's your favorite sport to watch?

Beach volleyball? Oh yeah.

Did you catch any indoors volleyball?

Well, the USA Indoors Team didn't do very well, so I didn't really keep up with it as much as beach volleyball.

Do you like playing on the beach?

I do, but my height kind of limits me and I'm not a big jumper. It's fun playing with my teammates.

3. If you could have one last meal to eat, what would it be?

Probably In-N-Out

So out of any type of fancy meal, you'd still choose In-N-Out?

Yeah, I still would. Although my favorite desert is cheesecake.

What's your favorite cheesecake?

Oreo or Heath Bar Crunch.

So you're a junior right now and you've been away from home for three years. Can you cook?

Yeah, I have a kitchen this semester, so I try to cook as often as possible.

What are you known for whipping up?

I'm pretty good with chicken, pasta and cookies. Just the basics.

4. What hidden talents do you have that no one really knows about?

I don't know if I am very good at it, but I like taking photographs.

What do you like taking photos of?

Mostly outdoor stuff, like nature. Scenery stuff, like sunsets or the beach. People, I like to take pictures of as well. I like expressions and I don't necessarily go for the classic smile, cheese pose. I like catching them in the moment.

What's your favorite person to photograph?

My best friend Amanda. Oh, when she laughs, she gives the funniest poses. I always take photos of her laughing and she gets so mad at me!

5. Where is your favorite place to shop for clothes?

I'm more of a vintage shopper. I like the experience of looking really hard to find the perfect thing, a diamond in the rough look. I'm not really into Abercrombie or anything. I don't like shopping at those places.

Is it easier for you to find vintage clothing down in San Diego or up in L.A.?

L.A., definitely. I haven't really tried all that hard to find places here, so...

Do you have a favorite store that you like to go to?

I usually go to different stores.

Do you like to shop by yourself or go with friends?

Usually with one other person.

6. What are three things you will need to survive as a typical student at USD?

Cell phone, unfortunately.

Why unfortunately?

Just because it's so weird that we need cell phones to survive today. When we were kids, we didn't have cell phones and we were fine. Now we are constantly checking up on people, it's just weird that we need it. I guess the second thing would be my assignment book, to keep track of everything I have to do. And my notebook, for class.

What has been your favorite class?

I guess right now, my World Religion class. The teacher is really good and she really makes you think.

What about the class interests you?

The teacher is really passionate about the subject and she really gets the class involved in discussions. She makes it really interesting to learn.... Actually, it's my Intro to Biblical Studies class that I like. I'm taking two religion classes.

7. If you could have three people over for dinner, who would you invite?

Gosh, I haven't thought about that question before. I really don't know... I'll have to think about it.

8. Being a junior, you are about to graduate and head off into the real world. What would your dream job be?

My dream job would probably be working in a zoo, like an animal keeper, working with gorillas or something like that.

Do you have any animals?

Yeah, I have two cats, named Snuggles and Gonzo. I named mine Snuggles when I was seven. Everyone always makes fun of the name.

How did Gonzo get his or her name?

It's my sister's cat. She's kind of crazy!

What is your major?

Anthropology. It used to be biology, but I didn't like it anymore, so I switched.

What about anthropology interests you?

I'm thinking more of the physical aspects, like forensics and evolution. It's pretty interesting.

What do you want to do after graduation?

I might teach, like social sciences or math. I might go to graduate school. Hopefully I'll be able to travel somewhere, like cultural anthropology. I can go study culture in a third world country.

Do you plan on staying in Southern California, or when you look for a job or a school, you'll try and go back East or something like that?

I definitely want to move around. I mean San Diego is beautiful and I love living here, but there are so many more interesting places to see before I decide where I want to settle down.

When you say more interesting, is that just within the United States or in the world?

Yeah, like the East Coast or the Northwest area. Definitely, traveling around the world would be a goal of mine.

What are three cities you would want to travel to, like live for a year?

Athens, Greece because I love ancient Greek mythology and all that stuff. Ireland... I'd love to live there. I've heard how green it is and I love the rain.

Do accents do anything for you?

Oh yeah! And I'm also a little Irish. I have a little bit... I like to claim it. I can do a family tree up to my ancestors who came over.

Some how, some way, you're Irish. That's your story and you're sticking to it.

Basically. And then... I'd love to go to either Fiji or New Zealand. I've heard New Zealand has everything... rainforest, beaches... You can do a lot of fun stuff, like sky dive. Fiji is just exotic and so pretty.