Danalee hits the ball during the WPVA Chicago Open

Bragado is entering her fourth full-time season on the WPVA tour. In 1996, she had two fourth place finishes with Krista Blomquist at the WPVA Newport, RI, and Huntington Beach, CA, events. She has started the 1997 season with a new partner, Christine Schaefer. Together, this new team finished in seventh place at the season opener in Miami Beach, FL, and in the process, Bragado had her biggest win ever, defeating Olympic gold medal winners, Sandra Pires and Jackie Silva. At the second WPVA stop in Deerfield Beach, FL, she and Schaefer finished in third place, her best finish ever on the tour. Bragado is one of the up-and-coming young players on the WPVA tour and is definitely someone to watch during the 1997 season. Here, she talked about volleyball and life on the tour after the Miami Beach event.

Q: You're starting the season with a new partner, Christine Schaefer, correct? I saw that you really did well with a 7th at the recent FIVB event in Australia and a 7th in the first WPVA event at Miami Beach, which included a win over Pires/Silva. Congratulations. How do you assess your competitiveness against the other teams on the WPVA tour?

Bragado: Chris and I are the youngest (experienced) team among the top 15 teams. We will be seeded 6th in the next tournament. I am on my 4th season and she is on her 5th season, so we lack the experience many of our competitors have who have been playing for 10 or 11 years. I think we have done fairly well together, however, I think our best playing is yet to come. We are currently working on a lot of new things on the court and are very confident that we should have even better finishes in the future. I am very pleased about our win against the Brazilian duo. It was a very big moment for me because I really admire Jackie Silva for being a true pioneer and visionary in the sport, as well as being a champion.

Q: For the past few seasons, there's been a dominant team on the tour. First, Liz (Masakayan) and Karolyn (Kirby), then (Holly) McPeak and (Nancy) Reno. Last season, (Barbra) Fontana and (Linda) Hanley, as well as, McPeak and (Lisa) Arce seemed to be the two strongest teams at the end of the season, but they weren't really "dominant". What's your feeling, and the feeling on the tour, as far as opportunity for new teams to get to the top this season? Do you and everyone feel that it's more open?

Bragado: The competition has gotten stronger every year since I have been playing. I know the players who have been competing much longer than me would agree to that as well. I think McPeak and Arce have youth on their side, as we do, and will continue to do well. As for the rest, I believe it depends on how bad they want it. I definitely think there is some room for some new players, who are hungry, have talent, and good work ethics such as Schaefer, (Karrie) Poppinga, (Krista) Blomquist, and myself. Because the game depends so much on experience and anticipation rather than pure ability, it is difficult to break through, but with persistence, it is certainly possible.

Q: Who do you see as the teams to beat this season?

Bragado: McPeak/Arce as I said before. Kirby/Reno look strong as long as they can keep their shoulders healthy. I think Kirby looks really hungry to get back into the winner's circle.

Q: What will it take for you to get to the "next level" and consistently make the final 4?

Bragado: Being patient for one thing. Consistency in my skills is another. I feel that I have learned all the skills, but sometimes if I don't practice a particular skill, I will lose the consistency of that skill. Most importantly, getting mentally tough and knowing what to say to myself and to my partner during a big game, in order to win when the score is tight.

Q: It seems the rest of the world is catching up to the USA. players in the beach game. In the women's game, the Brazilians took gold and silver and the Australians took the bronze at the Olympics. In your opinion, what is it going to take for the USA players to catch up to those teams again?

Bragado: I truly think the USA teams are not evolving the game enough. Every time I see Silva/Pires play, they have incorporated some new tactics. The Americans play a game that is becoming "old school" in my opinion. I personally study and try to mimic the Brazilians and now that I am more comfortable in my skill level, I would like to begin to explore some new and innovative game plans of my own. I always have the 2000 Olympics on the brain and I would like to have a young partner, like Schaefer, for a long period of time to work on some of these new strategies.

Q: With volleyball still in a growing stage, some players cannot devote full time to the sport. They have to hold down jobs to be able to do the travel and such. Are you able to do volleyball full time or do you have to work part time to support the game?

Bragado: This past year I have been fortunate enough to have the financial backing from my sponsors to be a full-time player. However, I do coach an intermediate beach V-Ball class for adults a couple of hours a week, which is great because it really helps my own game to be constantly going over the basics. The first two years it was very tough trying to compete and keep food on the table. I worked extremely hard doing various jobs and was very dedicated to my training and it is paying off. You cannot be a top player if you are not playing full time.

Q: What are the keys for you, or for anyone, to become a top ranked pro beach volleyball player? Skills, competitiveness, desire, discipline, etc?

Bragado: Patience, desire, discipline, dedication, mental toughness, and some talent. I also think you really need to believe in yourself. A strong support system is extremely important as well, which includes a good coach, good friends, good medical care, and support from your family.

Q: What kind of activities do you enjoy doing away from volleyball? Any hobbies that you really enjoy?

Bragado: I love travelling and try to spend extra time at the nicer locations. I love the outdoors and I love being physically active, therefore, I like biking, horseback riding, camping, hiking, and water skiing. I am also a true entrepreneur and I love working on inventing things to create and market. I enjoy working on my computer and exploring the internet. I have also gotten really involved lately with helping to reform the WPVA players association, which keeps me busy. I like to keep myself very busy.

Q: How did you get into computers?

Bragado: My brother gave me his old 386 (computer) a few years ago and I basically learned everything on my own. When I was finally able to afford it, I purchased a laptop a few months ago and I take it everywhere I go. I am on it several hours a day scheduling practices and travelling plans, sending e-mails, writing up proposals, etc. I'm even developing my own web page. I am also fascinated by the possibilities on the internet and I would like to see all players on the WPVA on-line someday.

Q: What made you start your own web page? When will it be ready?

Bragado: Actually, a friend of mine from college put it together. I'm not sure when it will ever be totally ready with a marketable address, but I think it is ready enough for people to check it out.

Q: Hopefully, it is way off, but considering your outside business interests from looking at your web page, such as the "Women of Beach Volleyball 1995 Calendar" that you created and your establishing of Bragado Enterprises, what are you looking to do when you step away from the beach someday?

Bragado: I would like to continue my business in merchandising. My entrepreneurial spirit really wants me to be self-employed. I also would like to be the executive director of the WPVA for a while someday when I have retired from competing. I think the tour has so much potential and I have a lot of ideas that I would love to implement. I have always wanted to open up a beach volleyball bar and restaurant also.