Sierra Pertzborn is a redshirt sophomore from Middleton, Wis. A nursing major, Pertzborn was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team in 2024. She currently ranks first on the team in service aces/set (0.45) and blocks/set (1.29) and is second in kills/set (2.29).
 
On how she began playing volleyball
I originally thought I was going to be playing basketball in college. A lot of my basketball teammates played volleyball and they told me I should try out because I was really tall. So, I tried out and the rest is history. I basically started playing because I was tall. I officially began playing in eighth grade and freshman year of high school. I went to some camps when I was in sixth and seventh grade just for fun. Basketball and softball were my main sports. I played those for 12 to 15 years. I also swam for a few years, but those practices were too early so that didn't last very long. In high school, I picked up track and ran that. There was just something about volleyball that made me stick with it.

On why she chose Toledo
The coaches and the team were the biggest factors for me. Toledo was the only school in the Midwest I was looking at. Being from the Midwest, I always thought I might go somewhere warmer. But the coaches and the team at UT really sold me on coming here. It is nice to be only six and a half hours away from home. My parents and siblings are able to come whenever they want. After staying in the Midwest, I have teammates who are transfers from the south and different parts of the country and they say how people in the Midwest are definitely nicer than other places. Having that typical "Midwest Nice" hospitality makes me feel comfortable and close to home.
 
On how her role on the team has changed throughout her career
My role was very different my freshman year as a redshirt. That year, my goal was to help the team in a more verbal way. I was encouraging during timeouts and helped pick out the other team's tendencies to assist throughout the match. Now as a starter, I feel like I do a little less of that. My role is more physical because I'm out on the court. It took some time for me to make that adjustment last season because it's a bigger mental and physical lift. Since I've been an athlete my whole life, I was able to work through it and make the adjustment as quickly as possible. Once I got the hang of being on the court instead of being on the sidelines, it's become second nature.

On her favorite volleyball memories growing up
I don't have a specific memory, but the club team I played on growing up was awesome. Being a part of that team was really special and I still talk to a lot of the girls. Otherwise, my high school team went to the state tournament during my senior year. That was a really cool experience. We didn't make it past the first round, but just being able to have that experience as a team was really awesome. I think that would be my number-one memory.

On choosing to major in nursing
I tried four other majors before I felt like I found my passion in nursing. With all those other majors, it was fine, but it didn't really feel like all of me wanted to stay with that subject. I feel like I had a passion for something else and those other majors didn't feel like me. Once I tried nursing, I felt the difference. I felt like this is what I'm meant to do. I made the change official at the end of last school year. Over the summer, I spent some time in the hospital and in the NICU and it solidified that I made the right choice. I was able to see some really cool things throughout my time at the hospital this summer and I kept feeling like I was making the right choice for me. I also have an older cousin who is a nurse. She has helped me through a lot of discussions about the major and the profession. She also helped me realize I can do this and really enjoy it.

On her hobbies outside of volleyball
I love to spend time with my friends and my teammates. I live with most of them, so we spend a lot of time together in the house watching movies and other shows. I have a cat named Mac, just like the conference, and I love hanging out with her. I got Mac with my classmates during my freshman year, but once we all moved out I decided to take responsibility for her. She's the best.