March 6, 2024 • 26 mins
When Grace Boffeli decided to take her basketball talents to Northern Iowa, little did she know that her story would become an inspiration for countless young athletes in her hometown of the Quad Cities. In our latest episode, Grace, a former North Scott High School phenom and now a key player for UNI, sits down to recount her exhilarating journey. She shares how the roar of her local fans fuels her on-court prowess and reminisces about the pivotal moment she chose to become a Panther, embracing the familial bond nurtured by her coaches. Not only does Grace share her excitement for the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, but she also brings to life the adrenaline rush of playing with a "home-court" advantage during the conference tournament season.
Then, we swerve from the hardwood to the hearts of the community, highlighting how women's sports at UNI are carving out a powerful legacy. From the irresistible charm of Whitey's Ice Cream discussions to the palpable increase in game-day crowds, we showcase the growing influence of female athletes. We're also let in on game-day superstitions and the beloved college memories that will last a lifetime. As we peek into the future, Grace reveals ambitions that extend well beyond the arena, into careers that promise to shape the minds of the next generation. Join us for these heartfelt narratives that celebrate the indelible imprint of women's athletics and the enduring spirit of the QC community pride.
QC, That's Where is a podcast powered by Visit Quad Cities. Through the people, partnerships, and personalities woven throughout the Quad Cities region, you'll meet real Quad Citizens and hear the untold stories of the region.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
I know, no matter what at the tournament, I'm
gonna have so many fans, family,friends, coaches back at home
just coming.
It's a 10 to 15 minute drive,so I'm just super excited to see
everyone in the stands and putthe support when we play the
games.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Where do you find a family of communities connected
by the storied Mississippi River, where young explorers and
dreamers, investors andentrepreneurs thrive?
Where can you connect with realpeople living and creating in a
place that's as genuine as itis quirky QC?
That's where.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Hello everyone, welcome to QC.
That's where podcast I'm yourhost, velia, today.
I know you guys are used toseeing Katrina, but I could not
pass up this opportunity to getto interview the one and only
Grace Befelli, one of the bestbasketball players I know.
Grace, thank you so much forcoming on to the podcast.
Thank you for having me, ofcourse.
(01:01):
So, Grace, for people thatdon't know, kind of talk about
where you're from, where youwent to high school, where you
play basketball now and thenwe'll just get kind of into it.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Yeah, so I went to North Scott High School and now
I play basketball at NorthernIowa.
I am a fourth year and I'mgoing to play my next year, my
COVID year, so I have one moreyear after this year.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yay, that is so fun.
So you're from the Quad Cities,which is really exciting.
Quad City native and playingfor you and I kind of close, do
your parents get to come to alot of your games?
Family old coaches.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Yeah, I don't think my parents have missed a game
since, really, I've gotten intocollege, and then my aunt, uncle
, sister, brothers they alwayscome too.
So, yeah, I have a strongsupport system, and it also
helps that I only live two hoursaway.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
So yeah, it's pretty exciting.
I know picking colleges can bekind of intimidating, like when
I picked to go to Iowa State.
I was like, well, I know, I'monly three hours away, it's a
perfect distance for your familyto be able to come if they need
to.
But you also feel like you'reindependent and you kind of have
your own life outside of yourparents.
So let's kind of talk about thebeginning of the season or
(02:21):
where you guys are at now.
Well, you're taking five inconference, which is huge, very
exciting.
You're fifth in the NBC.
You just had a huge win againstMurray State 89-7.
That was awesome and that wasyour coaches.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
She's now the most wins in the NBC now.
I saw that I think I had a 202wins.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Oh my gosh, she's such a son.
She's so awesome.
I saw the video of you guys Ithink it was you and Kaba maybe
pouring water on her.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Water yeah, half three one.
Yeah, that was fun.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
I think she was kind of expecting you guys to do that
, because she kind of came inlike ooh, I know.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
I know, I know, and then a lot of the players just
kept going.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
I thought I was gonna stop, and then I don't know who
was following.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
We just went for it.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
In your recruiting process?
Was she a big part of why youwanted to go to UNI?
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Yeah, I got recruited kind of late in high school I
think it was my junior year,going into junior year and you
and I actually was like thefirst school that reached out to
me.
They recruited me at the campthat they had in the summer and
then the next day I just kind ofcommitted.
So it was a quick decision.
(03:38):
But, yeah, the coaching staffwas very supportive and then
when I went on the visit they'reso supportive and super nice
and I know I wanted to come here.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
That always makes it a lot easier when it feels like
a family.
You know you're going to be,you know, safe and you get to
play the sport you love.
So that was.
And then you guys just had areally big win against Southern
Illinois 74 51, which was huge.
And then you have a big gameagainst Drake coming up.
How are you guys preparingtheir what number one in the NBC
(04:08):
right now?
So what are you guys doing to?
Speaker 1 (04:11):
get prepared for that , drake.
It's always a rivalry.
They beat us last time a fewweeks ago, I think it was under
10 points, so it'll be a closegame.
It's going to be hard, butwe're really excited.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
I think those like in-state rivalries are the best.
I think they bring a lot of youknow, attention, media
attention, people come out.
It's usually a bigger crowd.
It's really fun and I don'tknow it just.
It just is kind of a littlemore exciting to prepare to play
when you're when it's.
You probably played with a lotof the girls on Drake Before,
(04:45):
maybe like in travel ball oryeah.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
And we played.
I'm just growing up all thetime and so, yeah, we're super
excited, the environment's goingto be good at the NAP center
and yeah it'll be.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
it would be a really good win going into the Missouri
Valley conference tournament.
So that's coming up soon.
Obviously it's in the QuadCities.
Talk about how you knowexciting or fun it is to kind of
have that home court advantagefor you Not necessarily that
it's you and I, but becauseyou're from the Quad Cities.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Yeah, it's super exciting Just to think about
March because I know, no matterwhat at the tournament I'm going
to have so many fans, family,friends, coaches back at home
just coming.
It's a 10 to 15 minute drive,so I'm just super excited to see
everyone in the stands and forthe support when we play the
games.
When dear like teammates knowyou're from the Quad Cities, so
(05:40):
when you're coming in, like onthe bus, you're like, oh, that's
where I used to do, ever dothat, or yeah, sometimes, and
like last year, we actuallypracticed at the pit twice, I
think, and then we ate at myhouse.
So hopefully that's going tohappen again this year.
So, yeah, it was fun to go backto my high school.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
I was going to.
I was going to say, like I lovebragging about the Quad Cities.
I mean you move away for alittle bit and then I come back.
Actually, and I brought a lotof my teammates from who are
like from California and Texasand they're like the Quad Cities
like just farmland, like wheream I going to go?
And then I bring them.
Wait, this is so much more thanI thought I'm like I know you
(06:20):
guys just have to give the QuadCities a chance.
So did people kind of have a,you know, a skewed view of what
the Quad Cities was before theycame?
Speaker 1 (06:30):
I mean, I don't really think they realized how
much stuff is in the Quad Cities, but it was just fun to like
bring them to my house and thenlike even I think a few weeks
ago we won at Bradley and soafter we win we usually get
smoothies or ice cream.
So we stopped in the QuadCities at tropical or at
smoothie King and door, but I'mlike we're in the Quad Cities.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
This is where I'm from.
I thought you guys are eithergoing to say you took them to
like Whitey's or whatnot.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
I wish.
Why is it so good?
Speaker 3 (06:58):
What do you usually get?
Speaker 1 (07:01):
I like the banana gram.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
You know what's funny ?
You say, that is, we do likepolls in our office to see what
everyone likes.
So I wrote on our.
We have a whiteboard that wecan draw on.
I wrote on it and I was like,okay, what's everyone's go to
Whitey's order and I never heardof banana gram and like four
different people wrote it it'sso good, I need to make sure I
get it the next time becausethat's just, it's funny.
Whenever I'd come back fromcollege for like Christmas break
(07:24):
Thanksgiving, I'm like we haveto go to Whitey's right this
second and it's always busy,it's always a long line, but
whenever I have friends come intown we have to take them to
Whitey's.
It's the best.
So I'm going to have to try abanana gram.
I think I usually get moosetracks.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Yeah, that's good too .
Speaker 3 (07:38):
Cookie dough?
I don't know, it's just aquantity staple.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
And like the Whitey's in Eldridge, is always packed.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
There's always a line .
There's always a line.
I've gone there a couple oftimes and I know it's just the
whole town's there.
When you guys practiced at thepay which for people that don't
know North Scott's gym, did youget to like walk them around the
high school Like this was mylocker?
Speaker 1 (08:02):
No, I wish, but they were like in school last year.
So like I think like my athleteor North Scott's athletic
director was kind of likeblocking off the students from
like watching our practice.
But I don't know if we're goingto go there or not this year,
cause I think North Scott'sgoing to be on spring break.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Yes, I think it's during spring break, which is
really exciting, because I'mhoping that more students and
young athletes go and watch youguys at the vibrant arena so
they can watch basketball.
Especially women's basketballis in like the heart of media
right now, with Caitlin Clark, Imean with Grace Vafelli, maya
(08:39):
McDermott, like the whole UNIteam.
How does it feel to kind of youknow, inspire Not like you guys
are truly inspiring the nextgeneration of student athletes?
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Yeah, like you said, women's basketball is definitely
it's bringing it's.
I don't even know like justcoming more to the news,
everything the whole CaitlinClark, angel Reese, like that
all thing but just like, evenlike at UNI, like more people
are coming to our games and likeyou can just see that like
women's basketball it's likeit's here and just it's just
(09:15):
super exciting.
Like after games there's justlike kids wanting us to sign
things and it's just superheartwarming Like oh my gosh,
like we're making an impact onyoung lives and it's just really
exciting for the future.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You truly are.
It's so fun to watch how many,how much more people are going
to your games.
So, just with social media evenbecause, like everything is
being posted fun videos you getjust people's personality Like I
don't know a whole lot of likethe players on UNI besides like
(09:50):
a double, but even the video ofyou like pouring water on your
coach.
You got to see differentteammates' personality and it's
just fun to watch that and it'sinspiring young people.
More games are on TV, like ESPNare picking up games.
You've got all of these likeFox, cbs.
It's just crazy to like,because a couple of years ago,
(10:11):
even like while you were stillin college, you would never
imagine how crazy basketball is.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Does it?
Speaker 3 (10:18):
add kind of more fuel to the fire.
Does it make you more nervous,or?
Speaker 1 (10:22):
I think it's just exciting just to play in front
of a big crowd, in front of alot of people.
But just talking about likeenvironments, that Iowa game was
obviously a really fun game.
We had some injuries duringthat game, so the outcome wasn't
how we wanted it, but it wasjust a super cool memory that,
like McLeod, is packed and itwas just fun.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
I think it's cool too when young athletes come to
your games because at the end ofthe day, they don't care if
you're like the star player.
Not everyone has to be CaitlinClark.
They're just excited to be inthe same gym as you and like you
could be on the bench.
You could never play, you couldjust have that uniform on and
they're like can you please signmy phone?
or my hat or whatever.
(11:04):
It's just heartwarming, itmakes me so happy.
I don't know, as, like a formerstudent athlete too, I'm like
oh, how many athletics are juston the up like up and come up?
We just had division threewomen's wrestling in the Quad
Cities.
Have you ever watched women'swrestling?
Speaker 1 (11:22):
I have not, but it's it's.
I've seen so many things onsocial media like it's so
popular.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
He's crazy.
I went to the, I went to themat.
I was like these girls areruthless.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Oh, my gosh Crazy, you'll have to like I mean it's
becoming more popular.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
I know you and I is like very big for men's
wrestling, so I'd be surprisedif, like, women's got a team in
the next couple of years orwhatnot.
But grace that stuff is.
It's crazy.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
I'm like these girls are there.
I've seen stuff on social medialike the women's state, I don't
know a few weeks ago, like Iowawrestling girls and stuff like
that.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
yeah, it's it's so crazy.
Well, really excited to haveyou come back to the Quad Cities
.
Are there any places like yourfavorite places?
Whenever you come back in town,you have to go.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Ooh, I always have to go to 392 cafe.
I'm obsessed with that place,me too.
Okay, the vibes, yeah, yeah.
And then I love Smoothie King.
We don't have a Chipotle inSierra Falls, so you know, I
always have to go to.
Chipotle.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Oh, it's okay, 392,.
What do you get at?
Speaker 1 (12:34):
392?
I like the toast with peanutbutter and the strawberries, oh
my gosh, it's literally.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
I know I could like do that at home, but it just
works better at 392.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
And then I like the super monkey drink.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Yeah, the protein drink.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
Will you be like, will your teammates and you,
when you come for the conferencetournament?
Will you be able to like go outand about?
Speaker 1 (13:03):
If we get like, if we we're gonna win, yes, so after
wins we usually get likesmoothies or something.
So maybe if we have like a daygame, we can go get us something
like a 392 or Smoothie King.
But before every game we haveto go to Starbucks, so we'll
obviously making a trip toStarbucks.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
I know, obviously it's always like coffee.
I don't know if you've seen,like on TikTok, all those funny
videos of teams that are liketraveling, they're like trying
to find the local coffee shop orcoffee shop around, just so we
can get our coffee before a game.
It's just what everyone has todo.
What's your go-to order?
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Ooh, I like the, just a shake and espresso.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
It's the way to go.
It gets you kind of stuffed upfor the game.
Do you have like a?
Do you have any superstitionsbefore a basketball game?
Ooh.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
Yeah, I have a few.
I have to at home games.
I have to eat the same thing,so I always have a Smoothie.
Okay, what's in your Smoothie?
I actually got a tropicalSmoothie and I get a Smoothie
called Blimey Limey.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
Okay, I've seen that on the menu.
Is it good?
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Blimey, let me think what else.
That's kind of it Just what Ieat, yeah.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
I had some teammates in college who were like so
crazy and they had to do theexact same thing, and I used to
be like that.
I remember one time in highschool too, for a track meet I
had these special socks.
They had hot sauce on them andI forgot to bring them to a meet
and I really freaked out, hadmy mom call me out of class.
(14:35):
Oh my gosh.
We went home to find itcouldn't find it freaking out.
I was like I'm gonna runhorribly.
But I ended up running like aPR.
I'm like okay, that's whensuperstitions are out.
Because I was like if I havesuperstitions, like I'm gonna
freak out, I'm not gonna be ableto, but eating is one thing.
Like I would do that too.
I'd always eat the same thing.
There's some teammates that hadto do the same exact hair.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Do you have people like that?
In high school, I used to wearthe same spandex and same socks,
but I'm not like that.
Now I've changed, I realizedthat none of it really matters.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
No, really it just it kind of depends on the
atmosphere, how you play yourmindset.
Do you have, like a certainplaylist or songs.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
I do have a certain playlist, but it doesn't have to
be the same songs every time.
Do you get to be on aux ever?
Or people like no, I don'treally like being on aux.
I just let some other teammatestake it away.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
I was gonna say, like I never got to be on aux, I
wanted to play one direction.
That's so like weird announcingthat.
No, but I like one direction.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Okay, you do.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
Yeah, I'm hoping that they.
I'm hoping they come back as aband.
I don't think it's gonna everhappen.
One direction is pretty good.
I also like sad music.
I don't know it gets me like,it gets me ready to go.
Okay, I have some fun questionsfor you.
So if you could play any othersport besides basketball, what
(15:59):
would it be?
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Probably volleyball, Did you?
You played in high school, Iplayed.
I played for a few years inhigh school.
Did you see the new?
Speaker 3 (16:07):
rule that was just passed.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Yeah, the no doubles now.
Yeah, so setters can just Wait.
Like I know, like I've seen alot on TikTok, like some people
are mad about it yeah, becausethey're like I don't know and
some people are happy.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
I think the setters are mad because they've trained
their whole life to not doubleit.
But now the middles are happybecause they're like watch out.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
I'm setting the ball.
It's going to be interesting.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
It will be interesting.
Okay, would you ever move backto the Quad Cities after college
?
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Yes, Maybe yeah.
I don't know.
I don't know what my futureholds.
Maybe yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Because you do.
You do have one more year ofcollege basketball.
What are?
I know you still are focusingon like the end of this year,
still have a lot of season left.
You know conference,post-season run.
What are your goals though?
Kind of looking into next yearBasketball school life.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
I don't know, probably just take it day by day
.
Just, I mean, I'm almost donewith college, which is crazy.
Time really does fly.
But just to probably try tofigure out what I want to do
after college is probably mybiggest goal.
I'm studying elementaryeducation, so I don't know what
(17:29):
I want to do, where I want toteach, but we'll figure it out.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
That's very cool.
Do you have like a grade in?
Speaker 1 (17:34):
mind.
I like the upper grades, Ithink, but like third and up.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
I think that would be so good.
You'll be such a great teacher.
I don't know how many kids arein the class now like 20
bajillion.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Well, I think of like for my like participation weeks
I've done it's like 25, 20.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Yeah, have you had to do student teaching yet?
Speaker 1 (17:58):
I'm doing that next year but I've done like my level
ones, level twos and levelthrees, and then I'm doing eight
weeks of student teachingbefore season starts and eight
weeks after season.
So you get a little break in.
But From splitting it up whichis rare, but I think the NCAA
has to approve of it, but itwill, that's so cool.
So did you have to work with,like your counselors, your coach
(18:19):
, just to get my athleticadvisor?
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Yeah, so is your coach pretty good with working
with everyone's schedule?
I know once you get like juniorsenior year, it gets really
hard because there's classes youhave to take and sometimes it's
only one time during the dayand it could be during your
practice time.
So she pretty good at managingschedules and yeah, coach
Warren's super understandablewith that stuff.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Like a girl on my team right now, she has class
twice a week and we practice inthe afternoon and she has it
like three o'clock so she onlycan practice for like an hour
but then she has to go becauseyou can't do much about it and
education is important too whenyou're still playing basketball.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Yeah, I think it's really awesome when coaches like
you know they value your sport,obviously, like you're there to
play basketball.
You know that it's why you wentto UNI.
But they also value educationbecause at the end of the day,
it's very minimal that you knowathletes women's athletics.
(19:22):
They go and play professionally, which I wish it was like more
the case, where there'd beopportunities, but it's just not
the case for everyone.
So for them to value you knowyour education is huge.
Would you ever playprofessionally?
Speaker 1 (19:36):
I don't know, I don't know, probably not.
I just kind of wanna five yearsof basketball is it's a lot?
It's a lot, but I'm verythankful for it.
But I'm excited to also impactyounger students in the future.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
Yeah, the future, the future.
Grace Pfeffeles.
Yeah, oh my.
Yeah, I don't know, like how'syour body holding up?
You're on your fourth.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
My body is holding up .
I actually this seasonnon-conference.
I actually fractured myclavicle so I was out for a
month and a half, but it'shealthy now and I'm doing good.
How does your?
Speaker 3 (20:18):
mindset change.
I mean, you were pre-season NBCplayer of the year and you come
out, you do great, you get aninjury.
How do you kind of have toswitch your mindset to be like
okay, I have to be a differentrole on my team until I'm
healthy?
Speaker 1 (20:33):
enough.
Yeah, I gained a newperspective after I got hurt.
I was coaching from thesidelines, helping my teammates
out, but I just kind of realized, like don't take anything for
granted, because you reallydon't know what can happen.
Like a girl on my team, myroommate she actually just had a
knee injury season ending.
(20:56):
So like you really don't knowwhat's gonna happen.
So I think every day when I goto practice I just work as hard
as I can because you reallydon't know what's gonna happen.
And then once I got back frommy injury, that was also
something new, because I'm notgonna be as good as I was right
from the beginning of the season.
I've missed almost two monthsbut I'm starting to work back
(21:21):
into it.
I'm in the flow.
But the first two or threegames coming back from my injury
it was tough, but it is what itis and I'm learning to just
give myself some grace.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
Yeah, definitely, that was such a good answer.
I think it's tough.
I mean, you're such a starplayer on the UNI Asselt team.
People look to you, you're aleader, you're constantly
putting up big numbers and thento have you on the bench.
But I think your team I meancorrect me if I'm wrong, but I
bet they were so grateful tohave you helping them out,
(21:53):
coaching them.
I mean, you guys look like youare such a solid group, like you
get along well.
Yeah, okay.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
I was like good, I was like good.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
You guys look like you're having a blast having fun
along the way.
Obviously, there's gonna bebumps in the road, but it's cool
that you have multipleperspectives on your team.
Coach Grace, Would you ever?
Speaker 1 (22:13):
coach.
I actually was gonna get mycoaching minor, but I don't have
enough time, so I think I'mjust gonna after after college.
I'm just gonna get thatcertification.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Yeah, I mean, yeah, I wanna be a coach in the future.
I love that.
I mean, you have so muchknowledge.
It makes the Quad Cities proudthat you're from here and that
you get to play.
And you're a great student aswell.
I was looking up all your statson her role.
I'm like, oh my gosh she's gota list.
I was like, how much longer do Ihave to scroll on all of her
(22:45):
stats?
And you're just what.
Fourth or third on therebounding you and I all-time
rebounding list.
You're two away from being thenext spot up, oh wow.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
I didn't even know that.
Speaker 3 (22:59):
And you got a whole another year.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Yeah yeah.
I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (23:04):
I'm excited for you.
I'm excited for you guys tocome to the Quad Cities.
It's just fun to have all theseteams come experience.
I mean, the fans are crazy.
People are excited.
Are your parents ready?
Are they already planning?
Are they bringing everyone toQuad Cities?
Probably.
Speaker 1 (23:20):
Probably probably.
All my family probably will becoming.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Oh my gosh, there'll be a whole Grace Befelli fan, I
think ever like my past threeyears.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
my neighbors and all my family friends come and I
think two years ago they held upbig heads of me and then last
year they held up the letters ofGrace.
They love it.
Yeah, they love it.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
I mean like, yes, you're only a couple of hours
away from the Quad Cities sothey can go, but to literally
have a game in your backyardright there, everyone can come.
I wish more people couldexperience that.
And, of course, the Quad Citiescommunity as a whole is just so
supportive of every event webring in, but especially
(24:12):
athletics and women's athletics.
It's fun to see how excitedthey get, and so I'm hoping
there's so many people therecheering you on, but just all
the teams on.
It's gonna be a blast.
Fun fan zones it's gonna becrazy, I don't know.
I just it's fun to just get tochat with you and see how you
are, because I've known you inhigh school you were a sub
(24:34):
basketball player but to see,like, how much you've grown, how
much of a leader you are, youjust it's great.
You had a win last night.
You played well.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
We did win.
Yep, you have an off day today.
No, we got prep for theBulldogs Grind nevers Prep for
the Bulldogs.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
I really appreciate you taking time out of your day
to talk with me.
Get to hang out.
This was more fun of aninterview for me, I think, than
for you.
I really appreciate it.
Well, we always it's traditionwe have to end the podcast with
fill in the blank.
I gave you a little bit of timeto think about it.
Yeah, I've been thinking Good,so fill in the blank.
Qc that's where Studentathletes thrive.
(25:19):
Boom For Grace Mofelli.
That was great.
Seriously, thank you so muchfor coming on the podcast.
It was so fun to kind of hearyour story, hear how excited you
are to come back to the QuadCities.
We're rooting for you.
We're rooting for the Panthers.
Speaker 1 (25:31):
Yes, go Panthers.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Yes, we're rooting for women's athletics like let's
go.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Thanks for listening to QC.
That's where A podcast poweredby Visit Quad Cities Text Visit
QC to 38314 for insider events,activities and updates sent
straight to your phone.
That's V-I-S-I-T-Q-C one wordto 38314.
(25:56):
Message and data rates mayapply.
156r Free.
I know, no matter what at the tournament, I'm
gonna have so many fans, family,friends, coaches back at home
just coming.
It's a 10 to 15 minute drive,so I'm just super excited to see
everyone in the stands and putthe support when we play the
games.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Where do you find a family of communities connected
by the storied Mississippi River, where young explorers and
dreamers, investors andentrepreneurs thrive?
Where can you connect with realpeople living and creating in a
place that's as genuine as itis quirky QC?
That's where.
Speaker 3 (00:39):
Hello everyone, welcome to QC.
That's where podcast I'm yourhost, velia, today.
I know you guys are used toseeing Katrina, but I could not
pass up this opportunity to getto interview the one and only
Grace Befelli, one of the bestbasketball players I know.
Grace, thank you so much forcoming on to the podcast.
Thank you for having me, ofcourse.
(01:01):
So, Grace, for people thatdon't know, kind of talk about
where you're from, where youwent to high school, where you
play basketball now and thenwe'll just get kind of into it.
Speaker 1 (01:11):
Yeah, so I went to North Scott High School and now
I play basketball at NorthernIowa.
I am a fourth year and I'mgoing to play my next year, my
COVID year, so I have one moreyear after this year.
Speaker 3 (01:25):
Yay, that is so fun.
So you're from the Quad Cities,which is really exciting.
Quad City native and playingfor you and I kind of close, do
your parents get to come to alot of your games?
Family old coaches.
Speaker 1 (01:40):
Yeah, I don't think my parents have missed a game
since, really, I've gotten intocollege, and then my aunt, uncle
, sister, brothers they alwayscome too.
So, yeah, I have a strongsupport system, and it also
helps that I only live two hoursaway.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
So yeah, it's pretty exciting.
I know picking colleges can bekind of intimidating, like when
I picked to go to Iowa State.
I was like, well, I know, I'monly three hours away, it's a
perfect distance for your familyto be able to come if they need
to.
But you also feel like you'reindependent and you kind of have
your own life outside of yourparents.
So let's kind of talk about thebeginning of the season or
(02:21):
where you guys are at now.
Well, you're taking five inconference, which is huge, very
exciting.
You're fifth in the NBC.
You just had a huge win againstMurray State 89-7.
That was awesome and that wasyour coaches.
Speaker 1 (02:37):
She's now the most wins in the NBC now.
I saw that I think I had a 202wins.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Oh my gosh, she's such a son.
She's so awesome.
I saw the video of you guys Ithink it was you and Kaba maybe
pouring water on her.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
Water yeah, half three one.
Yeah, that was fun.
Speaker 3 (02:57):
I think she was kind of expecting you guys to do that
, because she kind of came inlike ooh, I know.
Speaker 1 (03:02):
I know, I know, and then a lot of the players just
kept going.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
I thought I was gonna stop, and then I don't know who
was following.
Speaker 1 (03:09):
We just went for it.
Speaker 3 (03:12):
In your recruiting process?
Was she a big part of why youwanted to go to UNI?
Speaker 1 (03:16):
Yeah, I got recruited kind of late in high school I
think it was my junior year,going into junior year and you
and I actually was like thefirst school that reached out to
me.
They recruited me at the campthat they had in the summer and
then the next day I just kind ofcommitted.
So it was a quick decision.
(03:38):
But, yeah, the coaching staffwas very supportive and then
when I went on the visit they'reso supportive and super nice
and I know I wanted to come here.
Speaker 3 (03:48):
That always makes it a lot easier when it feels like
a family.
You know you're going to be,you know, safe and you get to
play the sport you love.
So that was.
And then you guys just had areally big win against Southern
Illinois 74 51, which was huge.
And then you have a big gameagainst Drake coming up.
How are you guys preparingtheir what number one in the NBC
(04:08):
right now?
So what are you guys doing to?
Speaker 1 (04:11):
get prepared for that , drake.
It's always a rivalry.
They beat us last time a fewweeks ago, I think it was under
10 points, so it'll be a closegame.
It's going to be hard, butwe're really excited.
Speaker 3 (04:23):
I think those like in-state rivalries are the best.
I think they bring a lot of youknow, attention, media
attention, people come out.
It's usually a bigger crowd.
It's really fun and I don'tknow it just.
It just is kind of a littlemore exciting to prepare to play
when you're when it's.
You probably played with a lotof the girls on Drake Before,
(04:45):
maybe like in travel ball oryeah.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
And we played.
I'm just growing up all thetime and so, yeah, we're super
excited, the environment's goingto be good at the NAP center
and yeah it'll be.
Speaker 3 (04:57):
it would be a really good win going into the Missouri
Valley conference tournament.
So that's coming up soon.
Obviously it's in the QuadCities.
Talk about how you knowexciting or fun it is to kind of
have that home court advantagefor you Not necessarily that
it's you and I, but becauseyou're from the Quad Cities.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Yeah, it's super exciting Just to think about
March because I know, no matterwhat at the tournament I'm going
to have so many fans, family,friends, coaches back at home
just coming.
It's a 10 to 15 minute drive,so I'm just super excited to see
everyone in the stands and forthe support when we play the
games.
When dear like teammates knowyou're from the Quad Cities, so
(05:40):
when you're coming in, like onthe bus, you're like, oh, that's
where I used to do, ever dothat, or yeah, sometimes, and
like last year, we actuallypracticed at the pit twice, I
think, and then we ate at myhouse.
So hopefully that's going tohappen again this year.
So, yeah, it was fun to go backto my high school.
Speaker 3 (05:59):
I was going to.
I was going to say, like I lovebragging about the Quad Cities.
I mean you move away for alittle bit and then I come back.
Actually, and I brought a lotof my teammates from who are
like from California and Texasand they're like the Quad Cities
like just farmland, like wheream I going to go?
And then I bring them.
Wait, this is so much more thanI thought I'm like I know you
(06:20):
guys just have to give the QuadCities a chance.
So did people kind of have a,you know, a skewed view of what
the Quad Cities was before theycame?
Speaker 1 (06:30):
I mean, I don't really think they realized how
much stuff is in the Quad Cities, but it was just fun to like
bring them to my house and thenlike even I think a few weeks
ago we won at Bradley and soafter we win we usually get
smoothies or ice cream.
So we stopped in the QuadCities at tropical or at
smoothie King and door, but I'mlike we're in the Quad Cities.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
This is where I'm from.
I thought you guys are eithergoing to say you took them to
like Whitey's or whatnot.
Speaker 1 (06:56):
I wish.
Why is it so good?
Speaker 3 (06:58):
What do you usually get?
Speaker 1 (07:01):
I like the banana gram.
Speaker 3 (07:04):
You know what's funny ?
You say, that is, we do likepolls in our office to see what
everyone likes.
So I wrote on our.
We have a whiteboard that wecan draw on.
I wrote on it and I was like,okay, what's everyone's go to
Whitey's order and I never heardof banana gram and like four
different people wrote it it'sso good, I need to make sure I
get it the next time becausethat's just, it's funny.
Whenever I'd come back fromcollege for like Christmas break
(07:24):
Thanksgiving, I'm like we haveto go to Whitey's right this
second and it's always busy,it's always a long line, but
whenever I have friends come intown we have to take them to
Whitey's.
It's the best.
So I'm going to have to try abanana gram.
I think I usually get moosetracks.
Speaker 1 (07:37):
Yeah, that's good too .
Speaker 3 (07:38):
Cookie dough?
I don't know, it's just aquantity staple.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
And like the Whitey's in Eldridge, is always packed.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
There's always a line .
There's always a line.
I've gone there a couple oftimes and I know it's just the
whole town's there.
When you guys practiced at thepay which for people that don't
know North Scott's gym, did youget to like walk them around the
high school Like this was mylocker?
Speaker 1 (08:02):
No, I wish, but they were like in school last year.
So like I think like my athleteor North Scott's athletic
director was kind of likeblocking off the students from
like watching our practice.
But I don't know if we're goingto go there or not this year,
cause I think North Scott'sgoing to be on spring break.
Speaker 3 (08:19):
Yes, I think it's during spring break, which is
really exciting, because I'mhoping that more students and
young athletes go and watch youguys at the vibrant arena so
they can watch basketball.
Especially women's basketballis in like the heart of media
right now, with Caitlin Clark, Imean with Grace Vafelli, maya
(08:39):
McDermott, like the whole UNIteam.
How does it feel to kind of youknow, inspire Not like you guys
are truly inspiring the nextgeneration of student athletes?
Speaker 1 (08:52):
Yeah, like you said, women's basketball is definitely
it's bringing it's.
I don't even know like justcoming more to the news,
everything the whole CaitlinClark, angel Reese, like that
all thing but just like, evenlike at UNI, like more people
are coming to our games and likeyou can just see that like
women's basketball it's likeit's here and just it's just
(09:15):
super exciting.
Like after games there's justlike kids wanting us to sign
things and it's just superheartwarming Like oh my gosh,
like we're making an impact onyoung lives and it's just really
exciting for the future.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
You truly are.
It's so fun to watch how many,how much more people are going
to your games.
So, just with social media evenbecause, like everything is
being posted fun videos you getjust people's personality Like I
don't know a whole lot of likethe players on UNI besides like
(09:50):
a double, but even the video ofyou like pouring water on your
coach.
You got to see differentteammates' personality and it's
just fun to watch that and it'sinspiring young people.
More games are on TV, like ESPNare picking up games.
You've got all of these likeFox, cbs.
It's just crazy to like,because a couple of years ago,
(10:11):
even like while you were stillin college, you would never
imagine how crazy basketball is.
Speaker 2 (10:17):
Does it?
Speaker 3 (10:18):
add kind of more fuel to the fire.
Does it make you more nervous,or?
Speaker 1 (10:22):
I think it's just exciting just to play in front
of a big crowd, in front of alot of people.
But just talking about likeenvironments, that Iowa game was
obviously a really fun game.
We had some injuries duringthat game, so the outcome wasn't
how we wanted it, but it wasjust a super cool memory that,
like McLeod, is packed and itwas just fun.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
I think it's cool too when young athletes come to
your games because at the end ofthe day, they don't care if
you're like the star player.
Not everyone has to be CaitlinClark.
They're just excited to be inthe same gym as you and like you
could be on the bench.
You could never play, you couldjust have that uniform on and
they're like can you please signmy phone?
or my hat or whatever.
(11:04):
It's just heartwarming, itmakes me so happy.
I don't know, as, like a formerstudent athlete too, I'm like
oh, how many athletics are juston the up like up and come up?
We just had division threewomen's wrestling in the Quad
Cities.
Have you ever watched women'swrestling?
Speaker 1 (11:22):
I have not, but it's it's.
I've seen so many things onsocial media like it's so
popular.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
He's crazy.
I went to the, I went to themat.
I was like these girls areruthless.
Speaker 1 (11:32):
Oh, my gosh Crazy, you'll have to like I mean it's
becoming more popular.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
I know you and I is like very big for men's
wrestling, so I'd be surprisedif, like, women's got a team in
the next couple of years orwhatnot.
But grace that stuff is.
It's crazy.
Speaker 1 (11:51):
I'm like these girls are there.
I've seen stuff on social medialike the women's state, I don't
know a few weeks ago, like Iowawrestling girls and stuff like
that.
Speaker 3 (12:00):
yeah, it's it's so crazy.
Well, really excited to haveyou come back to the Quad Cities
.
Are there any places like yourfavorite places?
Whenever you come back in town,you have to go.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
Ooh, I always have to go to 392 cafe.
I'm obsessed with that place,me too.
Okay, the vibes, yeah, yeah.
And then I love Smoothie King.
We don't have a Chipotle inSierra Falls, so you know, I
always have to go to.
Chipotle.
Speaker 3 (12:32):
Oh, it's okay, 392,.
What do you get at?
Speaker 1 (12:34):
392?
I like the toast with peanutbutter and the strawberries, oh
my gosh, it's literally.
Speaker 3 (12:42):
I know I could like do that at home, but it just
works better at 392.
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
And then I like the super monkey drink.
Speaker 3 (12:52):
Yeah, the protein drink.
Speaker 1 (12:53):
Yes.
Speaker 3 (12:54):
Will you be like, will your teammates and you,
when you come for the conferencetournament?
Will you be able to like go outand about?
Speaker 1 (13:03):
If we get like, if we we're gonna win, yes, so after
wins we usually get likesmoothies or something.
So maybe if we have like a daygame, we can go get us something
like a 392 or Smoothie King.
But before every game we haveto go to Starbucks, so we'll
obviously making a trip toStarbucks.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
I know, obviously it's always like coffee.
I don't know if you've seen,like on TikTok, all those funny
videos of teams that are liketraveling, they're like trying
to find the local coffee shop orcoffee shop around, just so we
can get our coffee before a game.
It's just what everyone has todo.
What's your go-to order?
Speaker 1 (13:39):
Ooh, I like the, just a shake and espresso.
Speaker 3 (13:42):
It's the way to go.
It gets you kind of stuffed upfor the game.
Do you have like a?
Do you have any superstitionsbefore a basketball game?
Ooh.
Speaker 1 (13:48):
Yeah, I have a few.
I have to at home games.
I have to eat the same thing,so I always have a Smoothie.
Okay, what's in your Smoothie?
I actually got a tropicalSmoothie and I get a Smoothie
called Blimey Limey.
Speaker 3 (14:05):
Okay, I've seen that on the menu.
Is it good?
Speaker 1 (14:09):
Blimey, let me think what else.
That's kind of it Just what Ieat, yeah.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
I had some teammates in college who were like so
crazy and they had to do theexact same thing, and I used to
be like that.
I remember one time in highschool too, for a track meet I
had these special socks.
They had hot sauce on them andI forgot to bring them to a meet
and I really freaked out, hadmy mom call me out of class.
(14:35):
Oh my gosh.
We went home to find itcouldn't find it freaking out.
I was like I'm gonna runhorribly.
But I ended up running like aPR.
I'm like okay, that's whensuperstitions are out.
Because I was like if I havesuperstitions, like I'm gonna
freak out, I'm not gonna be ableto, but eating is one thing.
Like I would do that too.
I'd always eat the same thing.
There's some teammates that hadto do the same exact hair.
Speaker 1 (14:56):
Do you have people like that?
In high school, I used to wearthe same spandex and same socks,
but I'm not like that.
Now I've changed, I realizedthat none of it really matters.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
No, really it just it kind of depends on the
atmosphere, how you play yourmindset.
Do you have, like a certainplaylist or songs.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
I do have a certain playlist, but it doesn't have to
be the same songs every time.
Do you get to be on aux ever?
Or people like no, I don'treally like being on aux.
I just let some other teammatestake it away.
Speaker 3 (15:29):
I was gonna say, like I never got to be on aux, I
wanted to play one direction.
That's so like weird announcingthat.
No, but I like one direction.
Speaker 1 (15:38):
Okay, you do.
Speaker 3 (15:39):
Yeah, I'm hoping that they.
I'm hoping they come back as aband.
I don't think it's gonna everhappen.
One direction is pretty good.
I also like sad music.
I don't know it gets me like,it gets me ready to go.
Okay, I have some fun questionsfor you.
So if you could play any othersport besides basketball, what
(15:59):
would it be?
Speaker 1 (16:01):
Probably volleyball, Did you?
You played in high school, Iplayed.
I played for a few years inhigh school.
Did you see the new?
Speaker 3 (16:07):
rule that was just passed.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
Yeah, the no doubles now.
Yeah, so setters can just Wait.
Like I know, like I've seen alot on TikTok, like some people
are mad about it yeah, becausethey're like I don't know and
some people are happy.
Speaker 3 (16:20):
I think the setters are mad because they've trained
their whole life to not doubleit.
But now the middles are happybecause they're like watch out.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
I'm setting the ball.
It's going to be interesting.
Speaker 3 (16:32):
It will be interesting.
Okay, would you ever move backto the Quad Cities after college
?
Speaker 1 (16:41):
Yes, Maybe yeah.
I don't know.
I don't know what my futureholds.
Maybe yeah.
Speaker 3 (16:47):
Because you do.
You do have one more year ofcollege basketball.
What are?
I know you still are focusingon like the end of this year,
still have a lot of season left.
You know conference,post-season run.
What are your goals though?
Kind of looking into next yearBasketball school life.
Speaker 1 (17:08):
I don't know, probably just take it day by day
.
Just, I mean, I'm almost donewith college, which is crazy.
Time really does fly.
But just to probably try tofigure out what I want to do
after college is probably mybiggest goal.
I'm studying elementaryeducation, so I don't know what
(17:29):
I want to do, where I want toteach, but we'll figure it out.
Speaker 3 (17:33):
That's very cool.
Do you have like a grade in?
Speaker 1 (17:34):
mind.
I like the upper grades, Ithink, but like third and up.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
I think that would be so good.
You'll be such a great teacher.
I don't know how many kids arein the class now like 20
bajillion.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
Well, I think of like for my like participation weeks
I've done it's like 25, 20.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
Yeah, have you had to do student teaching yet?
Speaker 1 (17:58):
I'm doing that next year but I've done like my level
ones, level twos and levelthrees, and then I'm doing eight
weeks of student teachingbefore season starts and eight
weeks after season.
So you get a little break in.
But From splitting it up whichis rare, but I think the NCAA
has to approve of it, but itwill, that's so cool.
So did you have to work with,like your counselors, your coach
(18:19):
, just to get my athleticadvisor?
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Yeah, so is your coach pretty good with working
with everyone's schedule?
I know once you get like juniorsenior year, it gets really
hard because there's classes youhave to take and sometimes it's
only one time during the dayand it could be during your
practice time.
So she pretty good at managingschedules and yeah, coach
Warren's super understandablewith that stuff.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Like a girl on my team right now, she has class
twice a week and we practice inthe afternoon and she has it
like three o'clock so she onlycan practice for like an hour
but then she has to go becauseyou can't do much about it and
education is important too whenyou're still playing basketball.
Speaker 3 (18:59):
Yeah, I think it's really awesome when coaches like
you know they value your sport,obviously, like you're there to
play basketball.
You know that it's why you wentto UNI.
But they also value educationbecause at the end of the day,
it's very minimal that you knowathletes women's athletics.
(19:22):
They go and play professionally, which I wish it was like more
the case, where there'd beopportunities, but it's just not
the case for everyone.
So for them to value you knowyour education is huge.
Would you ever playprofessionally?
Speaker 1 (19:36):
I don't know, I don't know, probably not.
I just kind of wanna five yearsof basketball is it's a lot?
It's a lot, but I'm verythankful for it.
But I'm excited to also impactyounger students in the future.
Speaker 3 (19:51):
Yeah, the future, the future.
Grace Pfeffeles.
Yeah, oh my.
Yeah, I don't know, like how'syour body holding up?
You're on your fourth.
Speaker 1 (20:01):
My body is holding up .
I actually this seasonnon-conference.
I actually fractured myclavicle so I was out for a
month and a half, but it'shealthy now and I'm doing good.
How does your?
Speaker 3 (20:18):
mindset change.
I mean, you were pre-season NBCplayer of the year and you come
out, you do great, you get aninjury.
How do you kind of have toswitch your mindset to be like
okay, I have to be a differentrole on my team until I'm
healthy?
Speaker 1 (20:33):
enough.
Yeah, I gained a newperspective after I got hurt.
I was coaching from thesidelines, helping my teammates
out, but I just kind of realized, like don't take anything for
granted, because you reallydon't know what can happen.
Like a girl on my team, myroommate she actually just had a
knee injury season ending.
(20:56):
So like you really don't knowwhat's gonna happen.
So I think every day when I goto practice I just work as hard
as I can because you reallydon't know what's gonna happen.
And then once I got back frommy injury, that was also
something new, because I'm notgonna be as good as I was right
from the beginning of the season.
I've missed almost two monthsbut I'm starting to work back
(21:21):
into it.
I'm in the flow.
But the first two or threegames coming back from my injury
it was tough, but it is what itis and I'm learning to just
give myself some grace.
Speaker 3 (21:32):
Yeah, definitely, that was such a good answer.
I think it's tough.
I mean, you're such a starplayer on the UNI Asselt team.
People look to you, you're aleader, you're constantly
putting up big numbers and thento have you on the bench.
But I think your team I meancorrect me if I'm wrong, but I
bet they were so grateful tohave you helping them out,
(21:53):
coaching them.
I mean, you guys look like youare such a solid group, like you
get along well.
Yeah, okay.
Speaker 1 (21:59):
I was like good, I was like good.
Speaker 3 (22:02):
You guys look like you're having a blast having fun
along the way.
Obviously, there's gonna bebumps in the road, but it's cool
that you have multipleperspectives on your team.
Coach Grace, Would you ever?
Speaker 1 (22:13):
coach.
I actually was gonna get mycoaching minor, but I don't have
enough time, so I think I'mjust gonna after after college.
I'm just gonna get thatcertification.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Yeah, I mean, yeah, I wanna be a coach in the future.
I love that.
I mean, you have so muchknowledge.
It makes the Quad Cities proudthat you're from here and that
you get to play.
And you're a great student aswell.
I was looking up all your statson her role.
I'm like, oh my gosh she's gota list.
I was like, how much longer do Ihave to scroll on all of her
(22:45):
stats?
And you're just what.
Fourth or third on therebounding you and I all-time
rebounding list.
You're two away from being thenext spot up, oh wow.
Speaker 1 (22:58):
I didn't even know that.
Speaker 3 (22:59):
And you got a whole another year.
Speaker 1 (23:01):
Yeah yeah.
I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (23:04):
I'm excited for you.
I'm excited for you guys tocome to the Quad Cities.
It's just fun to have all theseteams come experience.
I mean, the fans are crazy.
People are excited.
Are your parents ready?
Are they already planning?
Are they bringing everyone toQuad Cities?
Probably.
Speaker 1 (23:20):
Probably probably.
All my family probably will becoming.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
Oh my gosh, there'll be a whole Grace Befelli fan, I
think ever like my past threeyears.
Speaker 1 (23:31):
my neighbors and all my family friends come and I
think two years ago they held upbig heads of me and then last
year they held up the letters ofGrace.
They love it.
Yeah, they love it.
Speaker 3 (23:48):
I mean like, yes, you're only a couple of hours
away from the Quad Cities sothey can go, but to literally
have a game in your backyardright there, everyone can come.
I wish more people couldexperience that.
And, of course, the Quad Citiescommunity as a whole is just so
supportive of every event webring in, but especially
(24:12):
athletics and women's athletics.
It's fun to see how excitedthey get, and so I'm hoping
there's so many people therecheering you on, but just all
the teams on.
It's gonna be a blast.
Fun fan zones it's gonna becrazy, I don't know.
I just it's fun to just get tochat with you and see how you
are, because I've known you inhigh school you were a sub
(24:34):
basketball player but to see,like, how much you've grown, how
much of a leader you are, youjust it's great.
You had a win last night.
You played well.
Speaker 1 (24:43):
We did win.
Yep, you have an off day today.
No, we got prep for theBulldogs Grind nevers Prep for
the Bulldogs.
Speaker 3 (24:53):
I really appreciate you taking time out of your day
to talk with me.
Get to hang out.
This was more fun of aninterview for me, I think, than
for you.
I really appreciate it.
Well, we always it's traditionwe have to end the podcast with
fill in the blank.
I gave you a little bit of timeto think about it.
Yeah, I've been thinking Good,so fill in the blank.
Qc that's where Studentathletes thrive.
(25:19):
Boom For Grace Mofelli.
That was great.
Seriously, thank you so muchfor coming on the podcast.
It was so fun to kind of hearyour story, hear how excited you
are to come back to the QuadCities.
We're rooting for you.
We're rooting for the Panthers.
Speaker 1 (25:31):
Yes, go Panthers.
Speaker 3 (25:32):
Yes, we're rooting for women's athletics like let's
go.
Speaker 2 (25:36):
Thanks for listening to QC.
That's where A podcast poweredby Visit Quad Cities Text Visit
QC to 38314 for insider events,activities and updates sent
straight to your phone.
That's V-I-S-I-T-Q-C one wordto 38314.
(25:56):
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