From ‘C’ Team to a UNI Panther

<p>It took some convincing for Waterloo West senior hitter Kaylissa Arndorfer to give volleyball a try.  Arndorfer was hesitant to tryout and was afraid she wouldn't be very good, but after making the ‘C' team her 7^th grade year, then moving on to a local club team, and eventually to the Club Iowa Juniors, she has learned to make a name for herself in the Iowa Prep Volleyball scene. </p> <p></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>“Volleyball has really helped me get out of my shell because I am a pretty shy kid but through the wonderful people I have met I've gotten to be a little more outgoing and comfortable. It has also showed me what I can accomplish from my first offer my sophomore year to my commitment my junior year; I never thought I would be good enough to play at the collegiate level, let alone Division 1.</p> <p>"Volleyball has taught me that hard work is very, very important. Through the recruiting process I was always taught that college coaches are able to pick out the kids who give it their all 100% of the time.  So, volleyball has taught me to always work hard, even in practices.” </p> <p>Arndorfer, who was an All-Conference, All-District, and 2^nd team All-State performer, led Waterloo West this fall with 378 kills, 175 digs, 39 aces, and 24 blocks and is playing for CIA's 18 Black.  She committed her junior year to in-state powerhouse University of Northern Iowa.   </p> <p></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>“I could go on and on about why I chose UNI.  My coach Chris Mahi told me that when you know, you know and that could not be more true. I grew up around UNI so, obviously, I was very familiar with the campus.  The past couple years my family made it a point to get to as many games as we could and this brings me to one of the first reasons why I chose them which is the McLeod Center.  The atmosphere and fanbase the UNI team gets is unbeatable and I look forward to experiencing it on the court rather than in the stands.</p> <p>"Another reason I chose UNI is the fact that it is so close to home; I'm very close with my family so them being able to come watch me play and be a part if my college experience was very important. Another reason is the excellent coaching staff. They are not only amazing coaches but they are excellent people who will teach me so much more than just volleyball. Apart from them, the players on the team have been very welcoming and are wonderful people.</p> <p>"I have been around UNI my whole life so it was very familiar to me which made it feel even more like home when I took my first visit. Although there are many other reasons, one of the other bigger ones is that I plan on majoring in Early Childhood Education and UNI is known as the teaching school so it was a perfect fit for me. </p> <p>"There are soooo many things I look forward to playing with the Panthers. Probably the biggest one is getting to be a part of their family. These are girls I will be spending a lot of my time with and I know the relationships I am going to make with the volleyball team are going to last a lifetime.”</p>