It was all smiles for Summer Ross and Brooke Sweat at the FIVB Fort Lauderdale Major when the pair reached the semifinals and finished higher than any other American team. (Photo: FIVB)
easy qualifying for the Olympics.” Sweat did enjoy chronicling much of the off-
the-court activity in Rio. “Watching Lauren at opening ceremonies was one of the highlights,” she says. “She was going crazy, asking everybody for videos or pictures or snapshots. I was the one taking the pictures most of the time, so it was fun to see her going around and trying to meet everybody.” Whether Sweat has another Olympic run in her with Ross remains to be seen. The shoulder has benefitted from rest and rehab, and an MRI revealed that it has healed on its own, so she didn’t have to go through another surgery. “I feel like I have my swing back,” she says.
FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HER FIVE YEARS years in California, Sweat has a roommate.
Brooke’s Likes
MUSIC — I love country music! George Strait, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett .... love them all! I appreciate the stories they tell with their music, and being raised in the boondocks, I can relate to a lot of them. I guess it’s fitting that I’m writing this as I watch the ACMs. Luke is looking mighty fine!
MOVIES — I am not a movie person! If you ever ask me the ques- tion “have you seen _____?” the answer is 99.9 percent chance no. The only time I really ever watch movies is on a long flight.
TV SHOWS — Oh, this is a completely different story than movies. I get suckered into so many shows. Right now, my favorites are “Homeland,” “Shark Tank,” “The Bachelor,” “Vanderpump Rules” (I know, I know ... but my coach watches it, too), and any baking contest shows. I can binge watch like no other!
HOBBY — When I’m home in SoCal, I clean ... a lot. Not sure if this is considered a hobby or if it just makes me crazy?! Safe to say, my apartment is pretty spotless. When I’m home in Florida, I love being outside – boating, beaching it, hunting, four-wheeling with the nieces and nephews.
TREATS — Growing up, my mom would make dirt ... an Oreo des- sert. I just celebrated my birthday and instead of a cake my mom made me dirt! IT … IS … SO … DELICIOUS! Wish I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day! :-)
FOOD — I love some good BBQ. I actually had Sonny’s BBQ cater my wedding. I ate a rack of ribs and danced the night away!
WEBSITE — I just discovered Amazon. Holy moly, this is dangerous! With one click I can order basically anything in the world and it’s on my doorstep the next day.
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She and aspiring beach pro Caitlin Ledoux share a two-bedroom place in Redondo Beach. Although volleyball occupies much of Sweat’s time, she is relaxed, and cooking – she has a brand new grill – helps her pass the time be- tween visits from Nick. She also spends a lot of time at USA Volleyball’s beach training facility in Torrance, strengthening her shoulder for the journey ahead. Despite the early success in Fort Lauderdale,
she knows the competition will get tougher. Sweat and Ross have enough points to qualify for the 2017 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in Vienna later this summer, but podium finishes will require further work under Tramblie. “We played really well in Fort Lauderdale, but even when we were bringing our A game it wasn’t quite enough against the
two Brazilian teams.” Sweat admits the court seems to be getting smaller since blockers are taking more area and defenders are covering more court. The crisp shots need to be even crisper. “It’s the same challenge for everyone,” she
says. “You have to figure it out and work harder and make the court even smaller for your op- ponents.”
The Rio experience will serve as an inspira-
tion. “It was so heartbreaking that it took awhile for me to get to the point where I could look back and say, ‘Wow. I’m an Olympian.’ But it really is an accomplishment to get there.” Getting there again will require something
Sweat already knows she possesses –- the passion she has for the game. She’s ready to swing freely again.
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