Valuable senior heads into final season

Senior Patty Jarmoc enters her third season as a starter on the UTEP volleyball team. On the court, as the team's starting center, Jarmoc is expected to guide the offense of UTEP's young 2010 squad. As a leader of the team's offense and one of only 3 seniors on this year's squad, she hopes to help guide the team to a successful season. She has led the team in assists the last three seasons. Jarmoc also begins the season in the top five for career assists and service aces. Off the court, she is a biology major who said she likes to take time to relax and study.
Hailing from the city of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, Jarmoc is also a leader outside the gym, helping the team's many new faces adjust to life in the Sun City. As a senior playing out her last year of eligibility, she spoke about her decision to attend UTEP, her goals for her final season, life as a student athlete and what lies beyond life on the court at Memorial Gym.

The Prospector sat down with Jarmoc to discuss the upcoming season and her plans for the future.

Where is your family from?
My parents are originally from Poland but they moved to Canada and I'm born and raised there.

What was it like growing up in Canada with parents who were immigrants?
They were really strict so we just focused on school and sports. That was my life growing up. They believed strongly in school and good grades.

What brought you to UTEP? Were your parents worried about you being so far from home?
I got recruited other places but once I visited El Paso I realized this was a good fit for me, I loved the culture and the weather and I just thought it would be a good place. My family didn't really worry too much. They just let me go.

What are the big differences between Canada and El Paso?
The climate is a lot hotter and the culture and customs are different. It's more homey. I'm from a big city, Calgary, Alberta. It's a lot bigger.

How often do you visit home?
Twice a year. I go home for Christmas and 5 weeks in summer.

Do your parents come down for games?
My mom will be here for senior day.

Going in to this season you are top 5 all-time in assists and aces at UTEP. What are your personal goals as a senior?
To raise my stats and beat some of those records. Increase my assists and try to get to the top 3 and improve my blocking.

What is your role as a senior on this team?
Trying to be a leader and helping everyone out on the court.

As a veteran player, how do you help the younger players adjust?
If they have questions about El Paso or how I adjusted to living here, they come to me. But mostly on the court, explaining things step by step. We are all really close so that's good.

What do you do outside of school?
Lay in bed! I'm an athlete.

What are your plans after your college career is over?
I'd like to go to Europe and play professionally for at least a year.

What will you miss the most about UTEP?
It's going to be hard not playing volleyball, not coming (to the gym) every day and going to school just because I've been doing it for so long. That's probably what I will miss.

David Acosta may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.