Photo by: Chris Hook for Arizona Athletics
Senior Spotlight: Kendra Dahlke Q&A
11/19/2018 | Volleyball
It's Senior Week for Arizona volleyball, which will celebrate the careers of Kendra Dahlke, Mackenzie Hernandez and Victoria Svorinic on Wednesday prior to the match vs. California at 4 p.m. MST. The 2018 senior class will go down as one of the most successful in school history, with three seasons of at least 19 wins, two NCAA Tournament appearances with a potential for a third (to be determined this week) and 70 total wins entering Wednesday's match. The three seniors sat down with ArizonaWildcats.com to discuss their time at Arizona and what their hopes and plans are for post-graduation in a Q&A to be released this week during senior week.
Monday, Nov. 19: Kendra Dahlke
Tuesday, Nov. 20: Mackenzie Hernandez
Wednesday, Nov. 21: Victoria Svorinic
Kendra Dahlke's Arizona career has been an incredible ride. After coming in and excelling as a role player as a freshman in 2015, Dahlke has been Arizona's leader in kills in each of the last three seasons, including having one of the top marks in the NCAA this year. Dahlke will become the seventh player in school history to lead the team in kills in three straight seasons.
When it's all said and done, Dahlke will leave Arizona with her name all across the school's record books. One of the top outside hitters in program history, Dahlke enters the final week of her final regular season seventh in career kills (1,368), seventh in career kills/set (3.54), sixth in career 10+ kill matches (70), fifth in career 20+ kill matches (16) and sixth in career attempts (3,848).
"It's been a terrific ride with Kendra," said head coach Dave Rubio. "I'm as proud of Kendra, and the road she's traveled, personally and athletically, as I've been with any player that I've coached. And much of that has to do with all that she's had to endure during her four years here. Kendra has been able to rise to the challenges that have been put in front of her and she's turned into a better player and a better person because of that. She's developed into an amazing player this year. She's clearly the leader of the team and she's putting up as good, if not the best, numbers we've ever had from any outside hitter that I've coached. It's been a great ride with us. I know she wants to play professionally and she'll certainly have the opportunity to play overseas for several years."
Dahlke enters this week as the Pac-12's leader in kills per set (4.91), a figure that ranks fourth nationally. She is trying to become the first Wildcat since Kim Glass in 2005 to lead the conference in kills/set.
The 6-foot, Bonsall, California native will graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in psychology this fall. She hopes to continue her volleyball career professionally overseas.
Kendra Dahkle Q&A
Q: What has been your favorite part (non-volleyball related) of your time at Arizona?
A: My favorite part outside of volleyball has been meeting so many new people and creating new friendships and relationships with people outside the volleyball program and in other sports programs and staff members.
Q: What has been your favorite part of playing volleyball at Arizona?
A: My favorite part of playing here at Arizona has been competing in the Pac-12 because it is such a competitive league. There have been so many different opportunities for me to grow as a player and a person. And I have had amazing teammates during my time here.
Q: Do you have a favorite memory that sticks out in your mind from your time here?
A: My sophomore year when we beat Michigan State for a spot in the Sweet 16.
Q: What will you take away most from your time with Coach Rubio and the rest of the staff?
A: One thing I will take away from my coaches here is that you never stop working on yourself as a person and every day you are always trying to become a better you and that has been one of the biggest things I've learned from them.
Q: Who would you say has had the biggest impact on your time at Arizona and your volleyball career?
A: So many people have made an impact on my career so I just really want to thank my family and my mom and my dad for always supporting me every single step of the way of my volleyball journey. I also want to thank my previous coaches Cindy Lloyd and Uncle for getting me started in volleyball and seeing so much potential in me from the start and taking the time to teach me so much. Thank you to my club coach at Coast, Ozhan, for preparing me for my start here at Arizona and always pushing me to be better. Thank you to my high school coaches, especially coach Chip for teaching me that there are bigger things than volleyball and the importance of contributing to a team even when you are not able to play. With that said, thank you to the medical staff here at Arizona, Emily Johnson, you heal and you rock! I can't say thank you enough to coach Dave, Gregg and Rita for teaching me so much and being nothing but supportive of me. I want to thank my past and present teammates for making my 4 years here unforgettable and you all will hold a special place in my heart forever. And a big thank you to our fans, you guys are all awesome and have always been a huge support and I will miss playing in front of you all! Bear Down for life!
Monday, Nov. 19: Kendra Dahlke
Tuesday, Nov. 20: Mackenzie Hernandez
Wednesday, Nov. 21: Victoria Svorinic
Kendra Dahlke's Arizona career has been an incredible ride. After coming in and excelling as a role player as a freshman in 2015, Dahlke has been Arizona's leader in kills in each of the last three seasons, including having one of the top marks in the NCAA this year. Dahlke will become the seventh player in school history to lead the team in kills in three straight seasons.
When it's all said and done, Dahlke will leave Arizona with her name all across the school's record books. One of the top outside hitters in program history, Dahlke enters the final week of her final regular season seventh in career kills (1,368), seventh in career kills/set (3.54), sixth in career 10+ kill matches (70), fifth in career 20+ kill matches (16) and sixth in career attempts (3,848).
"It's been a terrific ride with Kendra," said head coach Dave Rubio. "I'm as proud of Kendra, and the road she's traveled, personally and athletically, as I've been with any player that I've coached. And much of that has to do with all that she's had to endure during her four years here. Kendra has been able to rise to the challenges that have been put in front of her and she's turned into a better player and a better person because of that. She's developed into an amazing player this year. She's clearly the leader of the team and she's putting up as good, if not the best, numbers we've ever had from any outside hitter that I've coached. It's been a great ride with us. I know she wants to play professionally and she'll certainly have the opportunity to play overseas for several years."
Dahlke enters this week as the Pac-12's leader in kills per set (4.91), a figure that ranks fourth nationally. She is trying to become the first Wildcat since Kim Glass in 2005 to lead the conference in kills/set.
The 6-foot, Bonsall, California native will graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in psychology this fall. She hopes to continue her volleyball career professionally overseas.
Kendra Dahkle Q&A
Q: What has been your favorite part (non-volleyball related) of your time at Arizona?
A: My favorite part outside of volleyball has been meeting so many new people and creating new friendships and relationships with people outside the volleyball program and in other sports programs and staff members.
Q: What has been your favorite part of playing volleyball at Arizona?
A: My favorite part of playing here at Arizona has been competing in the Pac-12 because it is such a competitive league. There have been so many different opportunities for me to grow as a player and a person. And I have had amazing teammates during my time here.
Q: Do you have a favorite memory that sticks out in your mind from your time here?
A: My sophomore year when we beat Michigan State for a spot in the Sweet 16.
Q: What will you take away most from your time with Coach Rubio and the rest of the staff?
A: One thing I will take away from my coaches here is that you never stop working on yourself as a person and every day you are always trying to become a better you and that has been one of the biggest things I've learned from them.
Q: Who would you say has had the biggest impact on your time at Arizona and your volleyball career?
A: So many people have made an impact on my career so I just really want to thank my family and my mom and my dad for always supporting me every single step of the way of my volleyball journey. I also want to thank my previous coaches Cindy Lloyd and Uncle for getting me started in volleyball and seeing so much potential in me from the start and taking the time to teach me so much. Thank you to my club coach at Coast, Ozhan, for preparing me for my start here at Arizona and always pushing me to be better. Thank you to my high school coaches, especially coach Chip for teaching me that there are bigger things than volleyball and the importance of contributing to a team even when you are not able to play. With that said, thank you to the medical staff here at Arizona, Emily Johnson, you heal and you rock! I can't say thank you enough to coach Dave, Gregg and Rita for teaching me so much and being nothing but supportive of me. I want to thank my past and present teammates for making my 4 years here unforgettable and you all will hold a special place in my heart forever. And a big thank you to our fans, you guys are all awesome and have always been a huge support and I will miss playing in front of you all! Bear Down for life!
Players Mentioned
Tuesday, August 18
Tuesday, August 18
