Brooke Sweat

“Started playing indoor volleyball in 5th grade. Started playing club volleyball when I was 15. Played in high school and at Florida Gulf Coast University. Started playing beach volleyball after graduating from FGCU.”

“I absolutely loved basketball. All I ever wanted to do was play basketball.”

“If we sit here and think about what other teams are doing and the points game and all that, we're going to go crazy, and it's not going to help our game.”

“I think all volleyball players are playing with some type of shoulder injury. You use it so much.”

“I can't say that it's a dream come true because when I was growing up, I never dreamed of playing in the Olympics.”

“It took me a while to get used to moving and jumping in the sand. It takes a lot more effort in the sand.”

“You step in a divot or a hole you're not expecting to be there, and it can throw off your timing or your approach.”

“Defenders see things way different than blockers.”

“It's really easy to get caught up in all the catty-ness of the volleyball.”

“In beach volleyball, there are only two of you on the court, so it's so easy for things to go south and take everything personal.”

“Hydration is really important, particularly as a beach volleyball player.”

“Beach volleyball has taken me all around the world.”

“If you can jump, you can jump.”

“If we're playing and competing at the level we want to and we know we can, then nothing else is really going to matter.”

“All of the beach volleyball coaches and all the top players, everything is based out of Southern California.”

“Being from Florida and playing so many tournaments on that beach in Fort Lauderdale, I just want to be on that beach playing.”

“I love the benefits I get from drinking Obrigado. It's naturally high in potassium and low in sodium and calories, so it's a great alternative to sports drinks.”