The Lookout Advertising Manager Joe Strother recently chatted with LCC volleyball player Nicole Winter. Nicole is a freshman at LCC but was dual enrolled last year for her senior year of high school. She has played volleyball for eight years, including two club seasons. Her main position on the court is setter, but she can play anywhere on the court.

The Lookout Advertising Manager Joe Strother recently chatted with LCC volleyball player Nicole Winter. Nicole is a freshman at LCC but was dual enrolled last year for her senior year of high school. She has played volleyball for eight years, including two club seasons. Her main position on the court is setter, but she can play anywhere on the court.

 

Q. What athlete or person inspires you the most?

 

A. "I've always admired Tim Tebow, not only for his athletic ability but for his character as well, both in and out of season. Humility, leadership, faith, reliability and hard work are traits I think he has modeled well, that one needs in order to be successful in a sport and in life."

 

Q. Why did you start playing volleyball?

 

A. "Before I started playing volleyball at the age of 9, I often did it for fun with friends outdoors. I was more of a tomboy when I was younger, though, so I thought team volleyball was a 'soft' or 'girly' sport until some of my good friends began playing and I saw the skill it actually took, as well as how fun it looked. I've always been competitive and enjoyed sports, so I decided to just give it a try and it's been my favorite ever since."

 

Q. What was your most embarrassing moment on the court?

 

A. "During an important match in high school, I believe in the state championship game, I received a pass close to the outside hitter. I wanted to give it to the outside hitter, but for some reason I completely forgot where I was on the court. Instead of setting it gently to her right in front of me, I did a normal outside set as if I were far away, pushing it so far out of the court that it hit the curtain dividing our court from another one, about a good four to five feet out of bounds. Everyone was so confused and reminded me of my "cannon set" afterwards. And while I was super embarrassed, I'm grateful it wasn't game point and didn't cost us the game ... though it could have!"

 

Q. What is your most memorable moment playing volleyball?

 

A. "We were at a tournament in one of the hottest gyms ever, with bad lighting and no seating for people. We had played hard all day and were very sweaty and tired, but we made it to the championship game against the hosting team. We had lost the first set and needed to win the next two to come out on top. The score was 18-24, the other team only needed one more point to win. We called a time out, and right there decided we had come too far to lose. We went back out there, scored to get the ball and went on an eight-point run to win that set 26-24, and then  went on to win the third one as well. That small gym erupted with noise. We played some of our best ever high school volleyball in some of the worst conditions. I'll never forget it."

 

Q. What do you want to do after LCC?

 

A. "I am currently working toward getting accepted into LCC's Nursing Program with the long-term goal of becoming an Emergency Room or ICU Nurse."

 

Q. What are your hobbies outside of sports?

 

A. "Outside of volleyball I love to travel and go to other countries on mission trips, play the piano and laugh a lot. I also enjoy working at Chick-fil-A, babysitting and drinking coffee. Hanging out with my big fam of nine siblings is always a good time, too."