University of Georgia Athletics
Already A Star, Fischer Wants More From 2024
August 22, 2024 | Volleyball, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
It says a lot about the kind of teammate Sophie Fischer is that when she was away from the Georgia volleyball program this offseason, participating in high-level things like the U.S. National Team's training camp in preparation for the Paris Olympics or playing in the Dominican Republic, she often missed being back among the Bulldogs.
"I definitely had a lot of F.O.M.O.," said Fischer, meaning fear of missing out on what the Bulldogs were up to, "but I was also having the time of my life. I love the team so much, and I love Sean (Hayes, the team's strength and conditioning coach), and our summers are so much fun, bonding with the team and doing hard things together."
When your best player, and the athletic, 6-foot-5 Fischer was the 2023 SEC Player of the Year and a second-team All-American, speaks about the team that way, Bulldogs head coach Tom Black said, it's a very good sign of the togetherness within the locker room and beyond.
"That's awesome; that's not common," Black said of Fischer's F.O.M.O. "She just wants the team to win. She just cares so much."
When told of Fischer's comments, senior Bailey Cox was genuinely touched. And then the spirited and chatty Cox — she and Fischer exude similar joyful personalities and a passionate enthusiasm for life — spent several minutes raving about everything she loves about Fischer as a player, teammate and friend.
"One thing about Sophie, no matter where you are, whether you're alone with her or with a big group of people, she's the same person everywhere you go," Cox said. "She is someone that's consistent and brings an energy that gives you the confidence to do more."
"I've met some people in my life; I'm 20, I've met some people, and she's the funniest person I've ever met in my entire life," Cox added.
Fischer may have always been funny, but she didn't start out as a star college player. Her career began at Kentucky, where she was a part of the 2020 national championship team — but over two seasons she only played in 18 matches. Looking for a fresh start and a chance to grow, which is at the core of so much that Black and his staff teach, Fischer happily landed in Athens.
Now, she's about to start her final collegiate season. The Bulldogs, ranked No. 25 in the coaches' preseason poll, host Clemson in an exhibition Saturday (1 p.m.) at Stegeman Coliseum. Georgia's regular season begins on Aug. 30, against UC Santa Barbara at the Seminole Invitational at Florida State.
"It's a little bittersweet," she said of starting her final season. "Obviously, I'm super excited about what we're doing, but I'm also super sad because I have to leave everyone in five months."
But what will the next five months hold for Fischer and the Bulldogs? Anything is possible. The Bulldogs were picked to finish fourth in the standings by the SEC's coaches, behind Texas, Florida and Kentucky.
Georgia has reached back-to-back NCAA tournaments the past two seasons, for the first time since the 1990s, and Fischer is a big reason why. "Selfless and leader," sophomore middle blocker Ceci Gooch said when asked for the first words that come to mind when she thought of Fischer. "She's a leader; she's awesome. ... She's always there for you, and she always has the right things to say."
In 2022, her third collegiate season, Fischer was voted All-SEC and honorable mention All-American. She had 183 blocks, the most in the conference, and her 332 kills were second on the team to Kacie Evans' 489. In 2023, Fischer led the Bulldogs with 467 kills — Evans was second this time with 356 — and 149 blocks.
Fischer's 5.26 points per set last season ranked 11th nationally and was the most among middle blockers. She also was 24th in blocks per set (1.32) and 30th in kills per set (4.13). She was the SEC's top scorer in 2023 and ranked in the top 10 in the league in kills per set, aces per set, blocks per set and hitting percentage (.324).
Offensively, Black said, Fischer is "definitely the most versatile offensive middle in the country, and that's what makes her special." Defensively, Fischer and Black believe there is room for improvement.
"I think blocking is an area where I know I'm so much better than what I did last season," she said.
Gooch, after a couple of weeks of practice, called her "a blocking machine."
Fischer and Black have talked a lot this offseason about how she can improve. She said that she was so focused on offense last season that "I kind of lost the defensive side of my position." Black said she had the potential to be a dominant defender.
"She's got to block balls. It's not the stats, her stats look great, but she knows what she can do," Black said. "Certain situations, she needs to dominate as a blocker.
"I've definitely seen more focus from her this fall. That's the big area for her, and it will allow us, the team, to be what we're capable of being. And it will allow her career to go where it's capable of going."
And where is it capable of going? First into a good situation professionally, and then, she hopes, the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
"That's absolutely the end goal, to play in the Olympics," she said. "Los Angeles 2028 is a huge goal of mine. That's definitely something on the bucket list and something I want to continue to work hard for."
That potential next chapter is a long way away. The final chapter of her great Georgia career is starting now.
Staff Writer
It says a lot about the kind of teammate Sophie Fischer is that when she was away from the Georgia volleyball program this offseason, participating in high-level things like the U.S. National Team's training camp in preparation for the Paris Olympics or playing in the Dominican Republic, she often missed being back among the Bulldogs.
"I definitely had a lot of F.O.M.O.," said Fischer, meaning fear of missing out on what the Bulldogs were up to, "but I was also having the time of my life. I love the team so much, and I love Sean (Hayes, the team's strength and conditioning coach), and our summers are so much fun, bonding with the team and doing hard things together."
When your best player, and the athletic, 6-foot-5 Fischer was the 2023 SEC Player of the Year and a second-team All-American, speaks about the team that way, Bulldogs head coach Tom Black said, it's a very good sign of the togetherness within the locker room and beyond.
"That's awesome; that's not common," Black said of Fischer's F.O.M.O. "She just wants the team to win. She just cares so much."
When told of Fischer's comments, senior Bailey Cox was genuinely touched. And then the spirited and chatty Cox — she and Fischer exude similar joyful personalities and a passionate enthusiasm for life — spent several minutes raving about everything she loves about Fischer as a player, teammate and friend.
"One thing about Sophie, no matter where you are, whether you're alone with her or with a big group of people, she's the same person everywhere you go," Cox said. "She is someone that's consistent and brings an energy that gives you the confidence to do more."
"I've met some people in my life; I'm 20, I've met some people, and she's the funniest person I've ever met in my entire life," Cox added.
Fischer may have always been funny, but she didn't start out as a star college player. Her career began at Kentucky, where she was a part of the 2020 national championship team — but over two seasons she only played in 18 matches. Looking for a fresh start and a chance to grow, which is at the core of so much that Black and his staff teach, Fischer happily landed in Athens.
Now, she's about to start her final collegiate season. The Bulldogs, ranked No. 25 in the coaches' preseason poll, host Clemson in an exhibition Saturday (1 p.m.) at Stegeman Coliseum. Georgia's regular season begins on Aug. 30, against UC Santa Barbara at the Seminole Invitational at Florida State.
"It's a little bittersweet," she said of starting her final season. "Obviously, I'm super excited about what we're doing, but I'm also super sad because I have to leave everyone in five months."
But what will the next five months hold for Fischer and the Bulldogs? Anything is possible. The Bulldogs were picked to finish fourth in the standings by the SEC's coaches, behind Texas, Florida and Kentucky.
Georgia has reached back-to-back NCAA tournaments the past two seasons, for the first time since the 1990s, and Fischer is a big reason why. "Selfless and leader," sophomore middle blocker Ceci Gooch said when asked for the first words that come to mind when she thought of Fischer. "She's a leader; she's awesome. ... She's always there for you, and she always has the right things to say."
In 2022, her third collegiate season, Fischer was voted All-SEC and honorable mention All-American. She had 183 blocks, the most in the conference, and her 332 kills were second on the team to Kacie Evans' 489. In 2023, Fischer led the Bulldogs with 467 kills — Evans was second this time with 356 — and 149 blocks.
Fischer's 5.26 points per set last season ranked 11th nationally and was the most among middle blockers. She also was 24th in blocks per set (1.32) and 30th in kills per set (4.13). She was the SEC's top scorer in 2023 and ranked in the top 10 in the league in kills per set, aces per set, blocks per set and hitting percentage (.324).
Offensively, Black said, Fischer is "definitely the most versatile offensive middle in the country, and that's what makes her special." Defensively, Fischer and Black believe there is room for improvement.
"I think blocking is an area where I know I'm so much better than what I did last season," she said.
Gooch, after a couple of weeks of practice, called her "a blocking machine."
Fischer and Black have talked a lot this offseason about how she can improve. She said that she was so focused on offense last season that "I kind of lost the defensive side of my position." Black said she had the potential to be a dominant defender.
"She's got to block balls. It's not the stats, her stats look great, but she knows what she can do," Black said. "Certain situations, she needs to dominate as a blocker.
"I've definitely seen more focus from her this fall. That's the big area for her, and it will allow us, the team, to be what we're capable of being. And it will allow her career to go where it's capable of going."
And where is it capable of going? First into a good situation professionally, and then, she hopes, the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
"That's absolutely the end goal, to play in the Olympics," she said. "Los Angeles 2028 is a huge goal of mine. That's definitely something on the bucket list and something I want to continue to work hard for."
That potential next chapter is a long way away. The final chapter of her great Georgia career is starting now.
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ Volleyball
OH
/ Volleyball
MB
/ Volleyball
MB
/ VolleyballGeorgia Volleyball vs LSU - Postgame Recap
Wednesday, November 12
Georgia Volleyball vs. Auburn Postgame Recap
Sunday, November 02
Georgia Volleyball vs Vanderbilt Video Recap
Saturday, October 25
Georgia Volleyball vs Mississippi State - Postgame Recap
Sunday, October 19