Nikki Kinzer

Arkansas

Sep 12 (Fri)

6 PM

Position:
Middle Blocker
Height:
6-2
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Colorado Springs, Colo.
High School:
Rampart

As a Freshman in 2009
Kinser started 26 matches for the Buffs in 2009 and played in 87 sets. She made her first career start against Valparaiso (9/12) and recorded her first block solo against Northern Colorado (9/1). Kinzer posted a season-high six total blocks twice, against Fairfield (9/4) and Texas Tech (10/14). She registered a season-best six kills and eight points against Cal Poly (9/12). On the season, Kinser recorded 65 kills, 12 assists and a team-high 64 total blocks.

High School
Kinzer was named the Colorado Springs Big School's Player of the Year as a senior by the Colorado Springs Gazette as well as all-state, all-league and all-area. She was a first-team selection for the All-Colorado team (Rocky Mountain News) as well as the MVP and co-captain. The Rams took third-place at the Colorado State 5A Tournament with an overall record of 24-6. Kinzer recorded 377 kills and 105 blocks on the season. As a junior she was named to the all-state second team as she helped the Rams to a sweet 16 appearance at the state tournament. Kinzer was named to the all-area, all-league and all-metro first teams. She tallied 250 kills that season. Her high school coach, Keith Barnett, was a member of the U.S. National team (2001-02, 2005-06) and played professional overseas. She was also recruited by Missouri, James Madison, Georgetown and Cal Poly. Kinzer almost quit volleyball as a freshman to focus on her basketball career. She earned four letters in basketball at RHS.

Personal
Nicole Leigh Kinzer was born on April 7, 1991 in Annapolis, Maryland. She is the daughter of Kermeth and Lori Kinzer of Colorado Springs. Kinzer has one younger sister, Jenna, and a younger brother, Mitchell. Jenna was on the RHS volleyball team in 2008 with Kinzer. She lists her hobbies as basketball, volleyball, hiking, camping and reading. Kinzer has been a part of mission trips to Mexico, Ecuador and the Ukraine.

Academics
Kinzer was an open major at Colorado. She was an all-state academic honorable mention selection her senior and junior years.

Getting to Know Kinzer

My favorite thing about Colorado Volleyball is: The intensity and pressure of working hard in a fun environment

Favorite motivational saying or expression: “The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible.” –Arthur C. Clark

Best moment from your 2008-09 season: leading my high school team to finish third in state, as the underdogs

When I am in Coors, I think: This is where I want to achieve awesome wins and experiences

Favorite thing to do in Boulder: walk around the beautiful campus

If you could pick one reality TV show to be on, what would it be and why?: Deal or no Deal, because you have to make difficult decisions in a high pressure situation

My favorite pump-me-up song is: Aaron’s party by Aaron Carter

“Must See” TV for me is: The OC

My teammates would say I am: outgoing and clumsy

The three things I have to pack for a road trip: toothbrush, iPod and Goldfish crackers

My goofy superstition is: warming up for a match the exact same way every time...or knocking on wood

Sport that I would like to try other than volleyball: Tennis

When I am not playing volleyball I’m most likely: hiking or camping

Best talent not related to volleyball: touching my tongue to my nose

Favorite story about a teammate or yourself with your teammates: Scoring for the other team the first game of my varsity high school basketball career freshman year

Favorite restaurant: Chipotle

Favorite musician: Jason Mraz

Last book I read: Secret in the Willows by Beverly Mitchell

Favorite candy or snack: Goldfish crackers

I would most like to travel to: Greece!!!

Favorite movie: Bride Wars

If I could meet any famous person it would be: Abraham Lincoln

My most memorable moment in sports: League Championship game against Doherty High School my senior year...it was the most intense and emotional game I’ve ever played in and I will always remember that game

Favorite website: facebook

Favorite volleyball road trip: Miami for Nationals 2009

Hobbies: reading, skiing, camping, hiking, swimming

My plans for after graduation are: get a job

My hero is: my mom

Advice to young athletes: If you love something, always go after it with all of your heart no matter who or what gets in your way