Georgia Tech's junior setter Allie Niekamp is carrying on a tradition of athletic excellence in her family, and shining on her own as a member of the Yellow Jackets' volleyball team. Niekamp leads the team in assists and ranks fourth in the conference with 11.71 assists per game. As a sophomore, she became only the third player in school history to record a triple-double. The junior also has made an impact on the Tech record books. She stands fourth in school history in career assists per game and seventh in total assists, and also ranks fourth in service aces per game. Niekamp is also a Dean's List student as a management major.
How did you get started playing volleyball?
My older sister who is about six years older than me played college volleyball at Cincinnati. Luckily for me, she had a really late growth spurt and they made her a setter. (laughs) I just wanted to do what she did, so I started setting around fifth grade. I played for a team called "Black Swamp" in junior high, and for a Toledo volleyball club in high school (in addition to playing) for Findlay High School.
What was it like growing up in such an athletic family?
It was fun because our little family gatherings were always trips to the gym to play "Knockout." Sports were always a big part of our lives, and it was family bonding. Every weekend, we were always going to different sporting events.
So it must have been really exciting last week when your dad's team (University of Findlay men's basketball) beat Ohio State...
It was really exciting. My dad doesn't really talk about it that much when he's excited about wins, but he was like, "That was really exciting!" and "Did you see us on SportsCenter?" It was a really big win for him and I know he was really excited about that.
What is your greatest accomplishment as an athlete?
I think getting a full ride to come to Georgia Tech is definitely my biggest accomplishment. If I had to do it again, I would come to Georgia Tech again. It's given me so much and I'm sad that I'm almost done with three years here already.
What do you still hope to accomplish?
Definitely the NCAA Tournament. That's always a huge goal for us, same with the ACC title. The goal every year is just to get better as a team and compete with every single team we go up against.
What is it like playing every day in a conference like the ACC?
It's exciting because you never really know what's going to happen. I feel like there're always a lot of surprises within the season and you just have to be ready for every single game because any team can knock you off or you can knock off any team.
Any thoughts about nearing the NCAA Tournament and the end of the season?
We're focusing on every game, taking it one game at a time, and trying not to focus too hard on the future. Right now, all we're focused on is beating Miami and making use of every day we have in the gym.
Who is your most influential role model?
My most influential role model is probably my older sister, Sherry. I followed in her footsteps with playing in high school and playing in college. I saw what she went through as a college player, so I kind of knew what I was in for, but she has helped me when I have had hard times. Being able to talk to her and compare experience with her has helped. I'm really lucky to have an older sister who had the same experience.
How do you feel your role on the team has changed now that you're an upperclassman?
You know your team better, you know your teammates on a different level after playing with them for so many years. I'm lucky to have such a big class - there are five of us - and you learn to talk to them a different way to find out what motivates them. I think I enjoy playing now more since I realize I only have so much time. It doesn't feel like I'll be here forever. So definitely learning to appreciate the time I have here.
Why did you choose Georgia Tech?
The facilities are great, the coaching staff is amazing. Callie Miller is a middle on the team, and I've played with her since I was 15 years old. She had already committed when I came here. It's also a great school academically, and when I came here, the girls on the team were amazing. When I came to visit, I didn't really want to leave, and that was big for me.
How has it been being so far away from home?
It's hard because I only make it home for a couple weeks maybe every six months, but luckily my family comes (here a lot). My mom has been to almost every single home game in the last two years and having such close friends on the team makes it easier (to be) far from my family.
Anything else you would like to add?
Well, I have a funny story about my most embarrassing moment at Georgia Tech! (laughs) At the end of last season, I hurt my back and I had to wear this huge back brace all through the spring. There was this little elastic piece that would tighten it, and at practice one day, somehow the elastic piece got stuck in the net. It's a small piece, but it got stuck in there pretty good and I was hanging from the net, dangling. I was trying to climb up the net to unhook myself and my team was standing there and yelling at me to let go of the net, but really I was stuck. Someone had to come unhook me from the net. (laughs)
Allie Niekamp and the Yellow Jackets host Miami tonight (11/16) at 7 p.m. and close out their home schedule tomorrow night (11/17) against Florida State at 7 p.m. Be sure to catch the Georgia Tech/Miami ACCtion live on ACC Select.
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