[00:00:00] **Announcer:**
It’s time to get in the loop with LPS…

[00:00:23] **Announcer:**
Let’s send you to longtime Director of Communications and your host of *In the Loop with LPS*, Dallas Ackerman.

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## **INTRODUCTION**

[00:00:34] **Dallas:**
Welcome back to another edition of *In the Loop*. We are thrilled today because we are joined by our **first student guest** — **Abigail Mullen**, junior at Liberty High School and one of the top volleyball players in the nation. Abigail, thanks for joining us.

[00:01:01] **Abigail Mullen:**
Thank you so much for having me.

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## **A DAY IN THE LIFE & TEAM USA EXPERIENCES**

[00:01:02] **Dallas:**
We’re recording on a Monday morning — what does your school day look like?

[00:01:09] **Abigail:**
I’m in my flex period right now. Then it’s classes the rest of the day — and we have a game tonight. Pretty typical Monday for me.

[00:01:21] **Dallas:**
You’ve had an incredible run with USA Volleyball. Tell us about these past two summers.

[00:01:50] **Abigail:**
The past two summers have been crazy — so many opportunities.
Last summer was my first time around elite-level coaches and athletes. I learned a ton and grew a lot personally.

This summer, I played internationally — **Croatia** and **Mexico** — traveling on my own. It was wild in the best way. Each team was different, but both were amazing experiences.

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## **EARLY YEARS & DISCOVERING VOLLEYBALL**

[00:03:22] **Dallas:**
Let’s go back — when did volleyball become “your” sport?

[00:03:35] **Abigail:**
I played basketball and soccer when I was little. My mom — who played college volleyball — told me I could *try* volleyball but didn’t push it.

Second grade rec league… I loved it immediately.
By age 12, my club team finished **second at nationals**, and that’s when I realized, “Okay… I might really be into this.”

From then on, volleyball was the sport I chose.

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## **ATHLETIC FAMILY — MOM, DAD, SIBLINGS**

[00:04:24] **Dallas:**
Your mom, Jill Mullen, played at **University of Iowa**, and your dad, Scott, was Iowa’s **quarterback**. Where do your skills come from?

[00:05:14] **Abigail:**
I’m super competitive — in EVERYTHING — and that definitely comes from my dad. Neither of us likes to lose.
With volleyball, I obviously get a lot from my mom. It’s a fun combination.

[00:06:03] **Dallas:**
Your sister, Ashley, is now at UCLA playing volleyball. What’s that like having a sibling on that path?

[00:06:16] **Abigail:**
She loves UCLA. It’s different from Liberty, but she’s grown so much.
It helps me a ton having her — she understands the recruiting process and what college volleyball is really like. We talk all the time.

[00:07:48] **Dallas:**
Hard adjustment with her being far away?

[00:07:48] **Abigail:**
Very. We shared a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, so waking up and not seeing her was hard.

And with our schedules, I may not see her all season — that’s tough.
But I’m proud of her, and UCLA joining the Big Ten might mean more chances to see her.

[00:09:05] **Dallas:**
Tell us about your younger brother.

[00:09:17] **Abigail:**
He’s hilarious — and super driven athletically, even at 11.
Loves football and basketball. Works hard without anyone asking.

He grew up at volleyball tournaments with us, so he’s mature for his age.
Now that Ashley’s gone, he’s getting his chance to shine.

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## **ADVICE FOR YOUNG ATHLETES**

[00:10:30] **Dallas:**
What advice would you give young athletes who want to follow in your footsteps?

[00:11:13] **Abigail:**
Take advantage of every opportunity — not just physically but mentally.

Volleyball brings community. Being part of a team is special.
If you’re passionate, stay driven and commit to the work — it’s a privilege to play a sport.

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## **TIME COMMITMENT & BALANCE**

[00:12:20] **Dallas:**
How much time do you put into volleyball?

[00:12:20] **Abigail:**
A LOT.
High school = daily practices or games.
Club = three 2-hour practices a week plus out-of-state tournaments every other weekend.

You have to sacrifice things — social life, sleep, etc.
School is tough too — junior year especially. I’m constantly catching up after being gone.

Learning balance is huge.

[00:13:44] **Dallas:**
Do you ever get breaks?

[00:13:50] **Abigail:**
Yes, and I need them.
After USA volleyball, I took a week off. My body and mind needed it.

Breaks matter — you have a life outside your sport.
They keep you from burning out.

---

## **BEING LIBERTY’S FIRST STUDENT GUEST**

[00:15:15] **Dallas:**
You’re our first student guest — that’s got to rank high on your list of honors, right?

[00:15:17] **Abigail:**
Oh yeah — this is really cool!
(And when did this podcast start?)

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## **HANDLING PRESSURE**

[00:16:14] **Dallas:**
How do you handle the pressure — from family legacy to national rankings?

[00:16:35] **Abigail:**
It’s not always pretty. Pressure gets to everyone.
But I remind myself I’m human — not perfect.

This high school season has been freeing. We’re just having fun, playing hard, being ourselves.
My parents always remind me: *At the end of the day, it’s going to be okay.* That really helps.

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## **TEAM USA & COMMUNITY SUPPORT**

[00:18:01] **Dallas:**
Your team here held watch parties for your Team USA matches. How did that feel?

[00:18:01] **Abigail:**
So cool.
It meant a lot knowing people back home were supporting me — especially during a tough travel stretch from Croatia to Mexico.
I love my Liberty teammates and coaches. They’re the best.

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## **THE KANSAS CITY VOLLEYBALL BOOM**

[00:18:47] **Dallas:**
Why is KC volleyball talent SO good right now?

[00:18:50] **Abigail:**
Club volleyball here has exploded.
College coaches always say KC is one of their top recruiting areas.

And now men’s volleyball is growing too.
It’s been awesome seeing the sport boom nationally and locally.

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## **OFF-COURT INTERESTS**

[00:19:54] **Dallas:**
What do you enjoy outside of volleyball?

[00:19:54] **Abigail:**
I **love reading** — books everywhere in my room. It’s therapeutic.
Also watching movies with my dad — we bond over Star Wars and classics he grew up with.
And hanging out with my dog and family.

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## **FUTURE PLANS**

[00:20:58] **Dallas:**
Where do you see yourself in ten years?

[00:21:03] **Abigail:**
Hopefully with **Team USA** — or playing professionally overseas.

Career-wise? I’m not sure yet — and colleges say that’s okay.
Right now I’m focused on committing… probably in the next few weeks. One more visit and I’ll be ready.

(And no — she did not reveal her choice on-air!)

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## **LIBERTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS JOURNEY**

[00:25:20] **Dallas:**
Tell us about your journey through LPS.

[00:25:35] **Abigail:**
Born in Wisconsin, but came back to Liberty early.
I went to **Sugar Creek Elementary** — loved it.
Then **Discovery Middle School**, where I made great friends.
Now at **Liberty High School** — junior year is flying by.

It’s weird to think I’ll be doing the senior walk at Sugar Creek soon!

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## **CLOSING**

[00:26:47] **Dallas:**
Any final questions for me?

[00:26:52] **Abigail:**
(laughing) No — thank you so much for having me. This was so much fun.

[00:27:11] **Dallas:**
We’re proud of you — as a student, as an athlete, and as a person. Best of luck the rest of this season and beyond.

[00:28:22] **Announcer:**
Thanks for listening to *In the Loop with LPS*. Visit lps53.org for more info.