My Favorite Things: Gigi Crescenzo

When moving from high school to college sports, student-athletes have to deal with several transitions in the classroom and arena of competition. On the academic side, they face more demanding classes, more study time and stricter time management issues. In athletics, they see better competition, intense practices and games and increased travel.

Another transition for some is a move to another position. A running back one year could move to linebacker or defensive back the following season. A starting pitcher at the start of a season could transition to the bullpen by the end of the campaign. But what about making a position change overnight?

That's what freshman Gigi Crescenzo is doing in her initial collegiate season for the Tigers volleyball team. Listed on the roster as an outside hitter, the St. Charles, Ill., native has shown her versatility in the early portion of the 2019 season – even in back-to-back matches.

In the Tigers' second tournament weekend Sept. 6-7, Crescenzo played on the back row in a 3-0 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff Sept. 6 and posted seven digs and seven kills. Eighteen hours later, head coach Sean Burdette and his staff moved Crescenzo up front in the championship match versus UT Martin Sept. 7. The 5-foot-10 performer responded with her first collegiate double-double of 11 kills and 12 digs to help Memphis to the 3-1 win and the Tiger Brawl championship.

For her play, Crescenzo was named the Tiger Brawl Most Outstanding Player. Two weeks later, she was named to the Beale Street Challenge All-Tournament Team.

Let learn a little more about Crescenzo and a few of her favorite things:

My favorite part about playing volleyball is… The pace of the game. I recently heard of the sport being compared to an intense version of "don't-let-the-balloon-touch-the-ground." I love this analogy because I hate when the ball hits the floor.

I chose to attend and play volleyball at the University of Memphis because… The diversity of the city and the values of the volleyball program. While I have only been a part of the team for a short amount of time, I have quickly learned that participating in this sport will not only help me grow as a player but also in most other areas of my life.

The three words that best describe me are… Hard-working, easygoings, upbeat.

My biggest role model is… My mom because of her success in proving that it is possible to work hard while still having a good time.

Crescenzo's Favorites…

Television show: Grey's Anatomy
Place to shop: Nike
Website: Instagram.com
Sports team: Chicago Bulls
Meal: PB&J
Athlete: Allyson Felix
Snack: Acai bowls
Color: Blue
Candy: Sour Patch Kids
Hobbies/Activities (outside of volleyball): Making iMovies
Toy as a child: RIpStik
Television show as a child: Dora the Explorer
Ice cream: Coconut chocolate almond
Quote: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

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