NAU's Kelli Dallmann has 12 kills, 245 assists, 11 serving aces, 60 digs and 15 blocks so far this season.
Q&A With NAU’s Junior Setter Kelli Dallmann
Northern Arizona’s junior setter Kelli Dallmann took the time out of her busy schedule of school and volleyball to answer a few questions with the Big Sky Conference. Dallmann talked about NAU opening season, being named Most Valuable Player of the Wolverine Tournament, which led to being named BSC Player of the Week.
Dallmann was named the first 2011 Big Sky Conference Player of the Week as NAU opened the season 3-0 and won the Wolverine Invitational. Dallmann was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament. She averaged 11.0 assists and 2.92 digs per set during the tournament and had back-to-back double-doubles. For the weekend, she totaled 132 assists and had a high of 53 assists in the 3-1 win over Utah Valley.
So far this season, Dallmann has played in 23 sets in six matches. She has 12 kills, 245 assists, 11 serving aces, 60 digs and 15 blocks.
NAU is 6-0 this season and will compete next at the Air Force Tournament Friday and Saturday. The Lumberjacks will open up conference play at home against Montana State on Thursday, September 15 at 7:00 p.m.
Q: How does it feel to finally get this season underway?
A: It feels awesome to finally get the season started. Some of us have been working out together and getting pumped all summer, we have been so antsy! So it feels great to finally put all our hard work out on the court.
Q: What has been your best memory so far at Northern Arizona?
A: I love it at NAU, my teammates and I have had so many great memories. The match we won in five against Eastern Washington at home when I was a freshman was unforgettable. It was so intense and felt amazing to have a win like that. We also had a really great and fun spring this past spring and we started to improve so much.
Q: What are your personal goals this season?
A: My personal goals this season are to get as consistent as I can in my setting, and get my top spin jump serve down.
Q: What are your team’s goals?
A: Our team's goals are to have a winning record, have no excuses, and have no one out work us. And of course the big one, conference champs!
Q: How much have your coaches and teammates helped you out?
A: My coaches and teammates have helped me out so much. Our coaches are making us better and better every day and as a team, we work awesome together, we all need each other.
Q: You were named Most Valuable Player of the Wolverine Invitational. How does it feel to get recognized for your efforts on the court?
A: It felt good to be recognized as MVP, it was a great start to our season to win the tournament and I couldn't have done it without my teammates. We all make each other shine.
Q: You received the first player of the week award from the Big Sky. How did you feel after finding out you were named?
A: I was happy to hear I was named player of the week. It's a great honor! And it made it even sweeter that Kobi was named player of the week the next week.
Q: You just played in a tournament at Northern Arizona in front of your home crowd. How excited were you to play in front of the home crowd?
A: It is an amazing feeling playing in front of a home crowd who supports you with all their hearts! They are always so loud and supportive, it really helps a lot. The best is when we make crazy saves or have amazing plays and you hear the crowd roar. Our home crowd is awesome!
Q: Tell us something we wouldn’t know about you?
A: Something you wouldn't know about me is, I have a sister who also goes to NAU and is on the diving team as a freshman this year.
Q: How does it feel to open the season 6-0?
A: Our team is pumped with our record right now, it's been a great start to the season and now we are working hard to improve more and more every day!