My Favorite Things: Jada Birkel

When freshmen student-athletes began their collegiate careers, the transition can be slow and the adjustment period can take time. However, coaches are encouraging those freshmen to work hard and be prepared because, in their words, they never know when their name will be called.

Jada Birkel is a prime example of hard work paying off and being ready, as she exploded on the scene for the Tigers when American Athletic Conference action started two weeks ago. After seeing some time in Memphis' pre-conference tournaments, the 6-foot right side hitter made her presence known in the Tigers' first three league matches.

In those three matches, Birkel posted 20 kills and had a .200 hitting percentage. She also had seven total blocks in the three outings.

What made one of those matches special was that it was played before family and friends Sept. 29 when the Tigers played at Houston, which is around a three-hour drive from her hometown of Austin. In that match, Birkel downed a career-high eight kills and added one block.

Tonight, Birkel makes a second homecoming to the Lone Star State when the Tigers play at SMU in Dallas, which is another three-hour drive for her family and friends to watch her play.

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

My favorite part about playing volleyball is… When I get a big kill in a game and my teammates get really exited around me.

My favorite memory of playing volleyball is… This past nationals in Dallas when I got to set.

My No. 1 thing on my bucket list is… To go to Australia, stay in the outback and explore and find cool animals.

What attracted me to come to Memphis was… The coaching staff and the team. Everyone is just so supportive and goofy.

The three words that best describe me are… Determined, witty, competitive.

Birkel's Favorites…

Television show: Hart of Dixie
Place to shop: Champs
Website: Nike.com
Sports team: Milwaukee Bucks
Meal: Mac & cheese
Athlete: Jordan Larson
Snack: Grapes
Color: Black
Candy: Twix
Hobby/Activity (outside of volleyball): Wakesurfing
Toy as a child: My Hunny Bunny
Ice cream: Mint chocolate chip with Kit Kats
Quote: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard

University of Memphis Athletics

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