2008 OLYMPICS: NICOLE BRANAGH - Printer Friendly

2008 OLYMPICS: NICOLE BRANAGH

Midwesterner Nicole Branagh finds herself in the Far East as she attempts to become an Olympic champion in beach volleyball with her partner Elaine Youngs

By Jon Finkel | Photos by Holly Stein/AVP

As an indoor volleyball player at the University of Minnesota, Nicole Branagh could have been nicknamed "The Assassin" for her feat of compiling the most kills in Big Ten History (2,379). Upon graduating, Branagh packed her bags (and her natural ability to punish a volleyball) and moved to Torrance, California to set out on a career in beach volleyball. A few short years later, she won the 2005 AVP Rookie of the Year honors. And she hasn't looked back.

In 2007, along with partner Elaine Youngs, she won AVP events in Miami, Seaside Heights and Boston. Now she's on her way to Beijing to represent the good ol' USA. Just before boarding the plane for Beijing, Branagh took some time to talk to M&F Hers about what's on her mind as she heads for her first Olympics.

SNAPSHOT — NICOLE BRANAGH
Birthdate: Jan. 31, 1979
Hometown: Orinda, CA
Residence: Torrance, CA
Height: 6'2"
College: Minnesota
Partner: Elaine Youngs

HERS: You're going to the Olympics. You made it. After all the work you've put in, how great is it to hear that?

Nicole Branagh: It's incredible. Getting to the Olympics has always been a dream of mine. Ever since we qualified I've been enjoying every second of it. Plus, since I grew up playing indoor volleyball, I'd always thought of qualifying in that, so to make in beach volleyball is really special.

HERS: Describe the road you've taken to qualify for the Olympics.

NB: Well, it's really been a two-year process. There are so many great women's teams out there that we really had to be on our game to make it. Over the past few years we've had to do so much traveling to play in qualifying tournaments that we needed to be in top form for a long time.

HERS: Did that long-term outlook affect your training?

NB: Definitely. My trainer and I developed a program where I would be able to peak at the right times...Grand Slam events, Olympic events. Leading into tournaments, I would do lighter cardio and more functional stuff like leg raises and strength band work to keep my shoulders strong.

HERS: Will your training change when you get to Beijing?

NB: I'm not sure yet. I don't really know what it'll be like. Our first match is that Saturday (August 9). I guess we have to sign up for practice time. After that, I'll trust my training.

HERS: You're known for feeding off the energy of the crowd during matches. Any idea what to expect from the crowds in China?

NB: I'm really excited to see what the crowds will be like. I've heard that beach volleyball is one of the hottest tickets in the Olympics. If that's the case, it should be amazing. I can't wait to feed off that Olympic adrenaline and see what happens.

HERS: Hopefully, that Olympic adrenaline will carry you to a gold. Thanks for taking the time. Good luck over there!

NB: Thanks!

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>> For more on Nicole Branagh and the rest of the USA Beach Volleyball contingent, visit www.usavolleyball.org/beach.

>> For more information on the AVP, head over to www.avp.com.

>> For info on other U.S. athletes, go to www.usolympicteam.com.

>> For Olympic schedules, rosters and start times, visit www.enbeijing2008.cn

>> For NBC's Olympic coverage, head over to www.nbcolympics.com.