Jenny Kropp is the AVP's 2007 female Rookie of the Year. This season, after partnering with tour veteran, Nancy Mason, Kropp has had even more success as well as higher finishes. I sat down with the 6'2" rising star to ask her about how she got to where she is, her thoughts on the season so far, and where she sees herself going from here.

You played on Nebraska's undefeated 2000 indoor team and were second team All-American as a senior in 2001. Your Nebraska coach called you the "heart of the team." How did you get that nickname?
I think it was because I played hard every match and celebrated every point. I got more excited when my teammates had a big play than when I did.

Following a stint as a professional volleyball player in Puerto Rico, you moved to California. What's the biggest difference (besides the weather) that you had to get used to after growing up in Nebraska?
Two things were very different: the traffic and the people. Everyone talks about L.A. traffic and that was definitely something to get used to.

As for the people, in Nebraska, everyone is way more friendly ... we say hi to everyone. When I got here, I was naive. I'd be walking down the street smiling and saying "hi" to everyone I passed but they'd get confused and think I was trying to talk to them. I was just trying to be friendly and say hello!

What made you decide to go from indoor volleyball to beach?
Well, beach volleyball combines two things I love the most: the beach and volleyball! It just made sense. But, playing on the beach wasn't part of a thought out plan, it just happened.

If you didn't think that you'd be a pro beach volleyball player when you grew up, what did you think you'd become?
I thought I'd be a lawyer because that's what my mom always said. I'd argue with her so much that she told me I'd make a good one. Other than that, I wanted to be a ballerina or a cheerleader.

Well now that you're on your way to becoming a top player in the AVP, tell me how you ended up on tour and why last season was your breakout year.
In 2006, I played Hermosa and Huntington with Hope [Erickson]. I was like "we can just go and play in the AVP? Sweet, let's do it!" We didn't do very well though ... After that year, I wasn't going to continue playing, but Julie Romias asked me to play with her. We did really well by coming out of the qualifiers and finishing 17th and 13th in the main draw of the two events we played together.

That's when I realized that this was something I should try out ... that maybe I'd be good at it. Jen Pavley asked me to play with her before the 2007 Hermosa tournament and we stuck together for the rest of that season. Consistently playing with her is what made last year my breakout year.

This year, you've partnered with Nancy Mason. What's it like playing with someone like her who's been in the game for a while?
It's been a great learning experience. She's definitely helped my game and given me a lot of pointers. I love playing with her because of her competitive spirit. She believes we can win any game on any day and plays every game like it's the finals. I think it's really important to play like that and to believe you can win regardless of your opponent.

What do you hope to accomplish this season after being Rookie of the Year?
I want to break into the top five teams this year. I know it'll be hard because there are so many great teams on top but I think it's possible ... Nancy and I have been practicing hard and playing really well.

I also dream of making it to a finals match. I'm so jealous of the girls that are in the finals week after week because of the great crowd support that comes with playing in center court.

What player is your role model?
Oh there's so many. I love Misty and Kerri because they are so athletic and so good. I like watching Casey Jennings play because of his fire and his passion. My other favorite team is Sean Rosenthal and Jake Gibb.

Who's been your toughest opponent?
Elaine Youngs and Nicole Branagh have been tough because the pressure is always on with them. They never let up and they jump serve and spike every ball at you.

Where's your favorite tour stop?
Hermosa Beach is my favorite because it's just down the street from me. Also, this year, Atlanta has been my favorite so far because we got third place!

Lastly, what do you do in your free time?

What free time? Haha, well I don't have much time off because I have a full-time job as a uniform sales rep with Cintas. But, if I had a weekend off, I'd go to the beach and relax under an umbrella.

You aren't sick of the beach after playing on one every weekend?
I could never get sick of the beach! I might be sunned-out but never beached-out. That's why I'd bring an umbrella.