Athlete Interview: Piper Asche | KEVC 17-1 & MACCRAY H.S.
A current junior at MACCRAY High School, Piper Asche Piper Asche 6'1" | MB MACCRAY | 2019 State MN is a two-time Camden League North All-Conference and 2017 First Team All-Area selection. The 6’1 middle blocker is athletic with good…
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Continue ReadingA current junior at MACCRAY High School, Piper Asche Piper Asche 6'1" | MB MACCRAY | 2019 State MN is a two-time Camden League North All-Conference and 2017 First Team All-Area selection. The 6’1 middle blocker is athletic with good court vision and a dynamic ability to terminate the ball with power and range off one foot behind the setter. She has developed into a key factor for her club program in recent years both on and off the court. “Piper is a fantastic volleyball player. She is very easy to coach and she gets along with everyone. She has a funny, quirky personality, but when it’s time to step on the court and get to work she is all business”, said Terrin DeBoer, Kandi Elite Club Director and Asche’s current coach. DeBoer added, “The amount she has improved in two years is pretty phenomenal. It is all due to her work ethic and positive attitude. Piper is very coachable and brings an attitude that is ready to work and get better each time she steps on the court.”
As the club season is just a few weeks in, Asche is already seeing the return for her hard work and big gains on the court. She recently committed to a future opportunity to play volleyball at Augustana University in the very competitive Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. DeBoer, an Augustana alum, expressed her enthusiasm for Asche’s recent announcement stating, “I am so proud of her for working hard and achieving her goal of playing DII volleyball in the NSIC. As an alum, I couldn’t be more supportive of her choice to go to Augustana University. I’m looking forward to seeing how she can stretch herself to expand her game and prepare to contribute at Augie right away.”
Asche and her club team (KEVC 17-1) have a competitive schedule ahead of them for the 2018 club season with the Northern Lights Qualifier and AAU Nationals slated over the next few months. She and her teammates are coming off a recent 9th place finish at their opening tournament as they competed in the 17/18 Gold division of the Big City Luau in the Twin Cities. Asche and her teammates finished the event with a 7-2 record and as the winners of the Bronze bracket.
Prep Dig Minnesota recently connected with Asche to learn more about her volleyball experience.
Prep Dig MN (PDM): How did you get started in volleyball at what age?
Piper Asche Piper Asche 6'1" | MB MACCRAY | 2019 State MN (PA): I had always been interested in volleyball and since I was tall people always told me I should try it. I started playing volleyball in 4th grade.
PDM: Who have been your biggest influences in the sport to help you get to where you are now and the opportunities it has created for you at the next level? How have they influenced you?
PA: My biggest influence would be my JO coach Terrin DeBoer. She pushed me at practice to do my best and she saw a lot of potential in me as a player, and her love for the game inspired me. She taught me so much about the game and is a huge reason why I’m at where I am right now.
PDM: What has your club experience been the past few years? What do you like about your current club situation?
PA: I have been playing for Kandi Elite the past three years and I absolutely love it. I love my coaches and teammates and I have been with the same group of girls the past couple years, which is awesome. I love how we are like a family and have so much fun but we also get down to business and work really hard at practice and tournaments.
PDM: Compare your high school volleyball and club volleyball experiences. What do you enjoy about both of those settings?
PA: I love high school volleyball because I love playing against people in the area that I know and I love playing in front of a big crowd full of my hometown family and friends. There’s nothing like the feeling of playing in front of a big crowd like that. I love club volleyball because it’s a completely different level of playing and I like the different experience and all the new people I’ve met through it. I also love playing in the big tournaments. High school and club volleyball are way different but I absolutely love them both.
PDM: What aspects within your club team standout to you? In specific ways (i.e. individuals, leadership, effort, personality) what would you like to highlight?
PA: I think our team has a lot of chemistry because we’ve been playing with each other for the past three years. We all give a lot of effort and we are all like best friends so we are really comfortable with each other and playing with each other.
PDM: What are you current and future goals with the sport of volleyball?
PA: My goal is to play four years of college volleyball and I plan to do that at Augustana University, which was a big dream of mine.
PDM: How was the recruiting process for you? Anything that jumps out as being really beneficial to that experience?
PA: The recruiting process has been a lot of fun and it has definitely taught me a lot. I had to make some tough choices that I probably didn’t realize I was going to have to make at only 16 years old, which was a good thing.
PDM: What is it you are looking for in a school and volleyball program?
PA: When I was choosing a college I was hopeful that could play Dll and in the NSIC. I wanted a school that had great academics and a competitive volleyball program that wasn’t too far from home. Augustana provides all of that and more.
PDM: What are your expectations regarding volleyball at the next (college) level?
PA: As far as expectations, I wouldn’t say I have any. After graduation I am excited for the opportunity to get to Augie and compete for a position on the team. The coaching staff at Augie does a great job recruiting quality athletes so I know that I will be pushed to always do my best.
FAST FIVE QUESTIONS:
Do you have any pre-match rituals?
- My mom makes me the same breakfast, an egg & cheese bagel every single game day.
Favorite athlete role model?
- Sarah Wilhite. I want to mimic her love for the game and I’m inspired to do my best every time I watch her play.
Have you thought about what you will study/major in at the college level?
- A little bit but I am still unsure of the direction I’m heading.
Favorite food you can’t live without?
- Definitely pizza.
Favorite volleyball memory/accomplishment?
- Going 6-0 at nationals the first two days my first year at Kandi. Also getting First Team All-Area because it was a goal of mine before this last high school season started and it felt really good to accomplish that.