Starting setter Jonathan Winder (Irvine, Calif./Woodbridge HS) has had an acclaimed career with the Pepperdine men’s volleyball team. Now a senior, he’d like to lead the Waves to another national championship, just as he did as a freshman in 2005. Winder was named an All-American second teamer as a freshman and a sophomore before earning AVCA national player of the year honors in 2007. With the 2008 season just underway, the advertising major sat down for a few minutes to talk about the season ahead and his volleyball career.
Q: How eager have you been to get your senior season started?
A: “I was really excited to start playing this season. I want to see what we can do this year.”
Q: You have to break in a bunch of new players this season, though the team is ranked #2 in the nation. What do you think this team is capable of?
A: “I think we’re really talented but we’re really young. For us, it depends on how well we mature, and how well our young guys mature and understand the game. There’s a huge difference between high school and junior college volleyball to MPSF and NCAA volleyball. So hopefully we’ll be fine. Everyone is really talented. They all want to be really good, they love to play, and have a desire to be great volleyball players.”
Q: Describe what it’s like to play for Marv Dunphy, and what kind of coach he is.
A: “He’s a great coach. He’s one of the best coaches in the world and it’s an honor to play for him. When he says stuff, it doesn’t go in one ear and out the other. Everything he says is right and to the point. He’s fair and a really good teacher of the game.”
Q: What led you to choose Pepperdine?
A: “There were three things. Marv was one and he was the main draw in the first place. The second one was the school in general and it’s high academic quality. The third was the school’s Christian background, and knowing I would be able to study Christianity.”
Q: Pepperdine won the national championship when you were the starting setter as a freshman. What do you remember most about that season?
A: “Winning the championship was the most memorable thing. I remember every game and every moment. My sophomore year, I don’t really remember much, but my freshman year has stuck with me. It was a great thing to win a national championship. We didn’t just win a few games at the end of the year, all season long we played well and worked hard.”
Q: How did it feel being named national player of the year last season?
A: “It was an honor. I didn’t expect it. The team had a good year and we almost went undefeated during the season. The few matches we lost at the end were disappointing. The award was easily overshadowed by the fact that we lost.”
Q: You’ve had to battle a couple of injuries the past few seasons. Are you healthy now?
A: “I do feel healthy. I’ve always had injuries because as the setter, you become friends with the floor pretty easily. There’s a little more wear and tear on the body. The kind of injuries I’ve had are little nagging ones more than any major ones, thank God. But I’ve kept playing through little things and managing them and it’s not a big deal.”
Q: What advantage does being 6-foot-8 give you at the setter position?
A: “I’m able to get to balls that are going over the net and save them. It enables me to play more like the other guys and not just be a guy who sets. I can block and be a little more offensive. I think being as tall as everyone else makes a big difference.”
Q: This summer you played for the U.S. at the World University Games and won the bronze medal. What was that experience like?
A: “It was really awesome. It was really a fun experience to play and train with the national team for a while, and train with the best college players. To represent your country is an honor and it’s something that I want to continue to do. I’m pleased with how we did. The experience in general was great. We played against other countries and to live in the athletes’ village in Bangkok for three weeks was pretty cool. It was great to see other competitions and the high level played in other sports.”
Q: Is it a special feeling when you pull on a U.S. jersey?
A: “It’s really a big honor. For me at least, playing for the USA is kind of a patriotic act. It’s something to really revere and it’s a true honor to represent the entire nation.”
Q: Do you have the goal of playing for the full national team and at the Olympics?
A: “Definitely, it’s my goal to be there. I’d like to train with those guys and see how far it goes. Playing international professional volleyball is what I hope to do after I graduate. I like the indoor game and it’s what I enjoy. I enjoy the beach but more casually.”
Q: What do you like most about being a Pepperdine student-athlete?
A: “My first few years, I didn’t love being a student but I loved being an athlete. Now it’s much more comparable. I love my classes, and getting to take classes where the teachers are really kind and supportive. Every teacher seems to love volleyball and knows what’s going on. They care about how you represent the university. This is a good spot for student-athletes. The more you put in academically and are part of the university as a whole, the more people care about you. As opposed to being just an athlete, you’re a true student-athlete. It’s a big honor here and they do a good job of getting people to be both students and athletes.”
Q: What’s been your favorite moment at Pepperdine?
A: “I was baptized on campus just last year. It was in the faculty jacuzzi by my religion professor, Dr. Ron Highfield. It was an amazing experience, having 100 of my closest friends and family there, and standing around and singing. My whole journey came together at that point.”
Q: What do you like to do away from volleyball?
A: “I like to play the Nintendo Wii, go to the beach, those are probably the top two things.”
