Over the next several months, Director of Athletic Communications, Donavon Martin Jr. will sit down and ask the same 12 questions to a different member of the Millsaps College Athletics family. Next up: Head Volleyball Coach Jaime Fisher.

1) If you weren't coaching volleyball at Millsaps College, what would you be doing? 

I would be back in school getting a second masters in counseling.  

2) What is special about the town or area that you grew up?

I grew up in Centennial, Colorado. It is 2 hours from the mountains so I could go ski and come home in the same day and 20 minutes from Denver where I could go to Broncos, Nuggets and Rockies games.  

3) What is the best (or most memorable) moment from your playing days?

My most memorable, not so much best memory was the final game of my college career.  It was senior night, against our rival Mississippi State, we were in game 2 of the match and it was 29-28 (we played to 30 that year...) and I was set a high outside ball.  I went up for a big swing confident I was going to kill it and tie up the game, when I landed on the blocker on the other side of the net's foot.  I collapsed with a big pop in my knee and fell to the ground. The ref called me under the net, (which I was NOT) and awarded the point to other side. As I was laying  on the ground, I remember arguing with the ref and telling my coach as he came to check on me that the other girl was under NOT ME.   They won that game, but my team rallied to win the match and I ended up with a torn ACL. 

4) What is the best (or most memorable) moment from your coaching career?

In 2014 at the SAA Conference Tournament semi-final match vs. Birmingham Southern College our team set an NCAA record for the longest set with a score of 46-44, with us winning the match.  It was the most nerve racking, insane match I had ever been a part of.  We ran out of substitutions at 28-27 and had to play defensive specialist who do not hit balls in the front row as attackers.  The game exemplified grit and determination. 

5) If you could leave for vacation tomorrow...one week, all expenses paid...where are you going?

An all-inclusive resort anywhere on a beautiful white sand beach.

6) What is the most recent thing you have binge watched? 

The pandemic allowed me to binge watch several shows.  Marvelous Mrs. Mavel, All-American, The Fall and currently Ozarks. 

7) I came up with these questions one morning while I was drinking my morning coffee, so it has me wondering: What is your relationship with coffee?

It's an obsessive relationship. I did not begin drinking coffee until I was 32.... I needed a pick me up around 2:30 pm and Coke wasn't helping so I tried it.  Best/Worst decision ever.  I now MUST have a cup every morning and will drink at least 3-4 cups throughout the day. 

8) What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? 

How you say it, is just as, if not more important than what you say.  In a career where you often have to tell players and  people hard things, if you can do it in a way that shows you are coming from a place of care and concern you can have difficult conversations with positive results.  

9) What is your favorite food?

Beef Schwarma specifically from Aladdin in Jackson. 

10) Tell me your best *volleyball related* joke?

"There are no good volleyball jokes...but a bad one is:"
Why are volleyball players like lawyers? Because they always try to avoid faults and pass the blame.

11) In your mind, what makes Millsaps College such a special place?

The people.  Everyone who works for Millsaps has a passion for what they do and wants to create a great experience for every student they interact with. 

12) Each week, I'll ask a coach to give me a question for the next interview. Last time we talked with Coach Murdoch (women's soccer), she wanted to know...Who is your favorite professional player and why? 

Misty May. She was an undersized player in her position (as was I) and never let that keep her from being successful.  In a sport where I constantly hear people say that you have to be 6'0 or above to be good, she showed the world that at 5'9 she could not only be great,  but dominate in both indoor and outdoor.   

The next interview will be with Coach Jim Page (baseball). Do you have a question I can ask him? 

What is his advice for young ball players in a world where baseball has become a year-round game?