17/11/2014 11:33
Getting to know: ‘One to Watch’ Juliann Faucette
2015 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League - Women
Cannes, France, November 17, 2014. Last Wednesday USA opposite Juliann Faucette played her first match in the 2015 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League for France’s multiple champions RC CANNES and she immediately left her mark registering 30 points and leading her team to a 3:2 victory over Italy’s Nordmeccanica PIACENZA. This way Faucette was also selected as the ‘One to Watch’ from the first leg of Europe’s elite competition, thereby being featured in one of the videos included on the ‘Stars in Motion’ package produced by CEV.
Click here for the ‘One to Watch’ video portraying Faucette’s stellar performance in the match with PIACENZA
“My expectation going into that match was to give 100% and win. I didn’t know what the outcome of my performance would be, but I prepared myself to be the best that I could. It was a really fun match and I am so glad we got the win,” Faucette says.
The young player born in San Diego, California was eventually chosen for the ‘One to Watch’, the highlight video portraying the most valuable player of the Champions League first round. “Honestly, it’s an incredible honour. The CEV Volleyball Champions League is one of the best leagues to play in. Just to be playing in this league is wonderful but to be the one to watch in the first leg is something really special for me,” Faucette continues.
This is Juliann’s first season with RC CANNES, a team which has been the dominant force in France for many years already and has also won the Champions League in the past. How does the young American player feel there on the French Riviera? “So far I feel great here. RC CANNES is one of the most prestige clubs known in the Volleyball world and it’s a great honour to be here. I love the team and the staff behind us. And of course, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world. I can’t complain.”
France was the next step in Juliann’s professional career after playing in Italy and China. Faucette is taking a lot of positives from her experiences in countries that differ so much from one another. “I definitely feel that each year of my professional career I have learned something new. Italy’s technical and defensive game has really helped me grow as an all-around player, and playing in China really helped me take a big responsibility as an attacker. I feel that I have grown so much from my previous experiences.”
Juliann just scored 30 points in a Champions League match against the reigning Italian champions but was not called by Karch Kiraly for the FIVB World Championship where Team USA eventually won their first gold in history. Was this a big disappointment? “Of course I would have loved to be a part of the World Championship roster this year, but it showed me how much work I need to do to get where I want to be as a player. I am so proud to be a part of the USA programme and was more than pleased to see some of my best friends make history. I will always pursue my dreams with hard work, diligence and faith, and wherever that leads me is what is meant to be.”
Back to the Champions League: RC CANNES was drawn in a difficult pool that includes also VakifBank ISTANBUL, a two-time winner of this competition and definitely not the easiest opponent you can get. “I think it’s great that we get to compete against one of the best teams in the world and I think with the right preparation and confidence we can take on anyone,” Faucette says. “The most important thing for us is to keep our eyes on the next opponent and do our best. Ultimately, we’d like to win the CEV Volleyball Champions League and personally I will do everything I can to help my team get there.”
Juliann still has many friends and fans in Italy but after her terrific performance with PIACENZA she now has a lot more also in Cannes and, more in general, in France. The American girl has got a message to share with her fans, both old and new: “I’m so incredibly impressed with the fans in all of the places I have played in. I have kept in touch with many fans from my two years in Italy and loved getting to play in front of an awesome Chinese crowd in my season there. Cannes has great fans as well, and I really got a chance to see how supportive they were in our match with PIACENZA. I would love to say thank you to all of my fans around the world and that I really appreciate your belief in me. It’s always a pleasure to meet you all and play in front of you.”
Click here for more information on the 2015 CEV DenizBank Volleyball Champions League - Women
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