10 Questions with Kiley Fister

Sept. 27, 2008

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Editor’s Note: hawkeyesports.com sat down with University of Iowa senior Kiley Fister recently. Fister is a setter on the Hawkeye volleyball team that defeated Wisconsin last night at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in the UI’s Big Ten Conference opener. It was Iowa’s sixth straight victory. Entering Friday’s match against the Badgers, the St. Charles, Ill.-native has compiled 3,795 career assists — fourth all-time in school history. Fister is majoring in interdepartmental studies (health science).<>

Question 1 -The University of Iowa played its first nine volleyball matches on the road. Is that the way you enjoy starting a season?
I didn’t think much about it. If anything, it made us more excited to play our first home match. Whether it’s home or away, we have the same mentality going out there for each match.

Question 2 – What was your reaction when you finally returned home to Carver-Hawkeye Arena?
It was awesome and we had a great crowd. We had been gone three weeks and our fans still remembered and they were still excited to come watch us. It was really neat to go out there and finally be on our home turf.

Question 3 – The Hawkeyes have won 15 sets and five matches in a row. What has been the key during that winning streak?
We’ve been taking care of our side of the court. Regardless of who our opponent is and regardless of the score of the game that we played before, we go out there knowing what we have to do and we do what we’ve been practicing for.

Question 4 – The Big Ten season begins this weekend. What are your expectations in the league?
We’ve talked about this early in the season and established that we want to be in the top half of the Big Ten Conference. It’s going to take a lot, but we’re definitely here to make those improvements by how we’ve been practicing and playing so far.

Question 5 – In what ways is Iowa a different team under Coach Dingman than it was in the past?
There is a strong connection between the coaching staff and the players. The communication is really good and it’s a very positive atmosphere to play in and to be coached under.

Question 6 – What emotions are you feeling as you progress through your senior season?
It gets more and more exciting every match. For me, I’ve never enjoyed playing volleyball as much as I have this year. I feel it every day when I step out there on the court for practice…it’s fun. It’s not a job, it’s a lot of fun.

Question 7 – Everyone notices the player making a kill. What is the most rewarding aspect of handing out an assist?
The kill. It takes a pass and a set to get the kill. The kill is the end play and it’s fun to see the ball go down and everybody get so thrilled.

Question 8 – Has there been a specific highlight that sticks out for you during your years at Iowa?
Honestly, this year is the highlight. I really don’t know how else to put it.

Question 9 – What are your future plans?
I’m planning on going to P.A. (physician’s assistant) school, but I’ll be taking a year off prior to that. P.A. school requires several patient-care hours upon application and I haven’t had much time to get that in aside from volunteering at the hospital. I’ll work and get some hours that way. I also have a minor in Spanish and I would really like the opportunity to go to a Spanish-speaking country. I’m looking into going to Honduras and working on a medical internship where I could work on my Spanish as well as get my hours.

Question 10 – Map out the perfect ending to your volleyball career.
Being in the NCAA Tournament would be the perfect ending. If we could get into the top half of the Big Ten and get to the NCAA Tournament, that would mean a perfect ending for me.