Every team has its leaders – that small group that is willing and able to show everyone around them the right way to go about their business. For UCF Volleyball, these leaders come in the form of Kristina Fisher, Lache Harper, Makenzie Kuchmaner, Alli Sabol and Erin Olson. Whether it's fighting hard on the court or showing out in the classroom, these five seniors have continuously shown what it means to be a Knight. Since their first year in 2016, this senior class boasts over 85 career wins and over a .720 winning percentage, and they were the backbone of a 2018 Knights squad that went undefeated in conference play as they went on to win The American Athletic Conference Championship last season. But, despite how well they have done as a unit, and all they have accomplished together, each one of these seniors has brought something special to the UCF Volleyball team in their own unique way.
Erin Olson #2
Position: Setter
Hometown: Carry, Ill.
Major: Health Science Pre-Clinical
Years Played: 2017-2019
Erin Olson has been a proud member of UCF Volleyball since transferring from Bradley her sophomore season. The Olson's are known as an athletic family, and Erin is no exception. Erin's parents played baseball and softball at the collegiate level and her younger sister, Amber, also plays on the UCF Volleyball team.
"This whole team has a fantastic work ethic and we all push each other day in and day out. Without having the girls by my side, I would not be the player I became… I'm not ready for it to be over quite yet." - Erin Olson
One of Erin's most impressive showings during the 2019 campaign came in an effort at Ole Miss near the beginning of the season, where she posted 32 assists. In total, she is averaging 5.7 assists per match set this season, bringing her career assist average to an impressive 5.68 per set over her three-year career at UCF. During Olson's tenure with the Black and Gold, she has been considered an anchor to the culture of UCF's Volleyball program.
Lache Harper #9
Position: Outside Hitter/Middle Blocker
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies
Years Played: 2016-2019
Lache Harper has been a member of UCF Volleyball since 2016. After redshirting her freshman year and battling through injuries in 2018, Lache came back stronger than ever this year, registering her best season to date!
"This journey has been a very long and hard one. Going through injuries like I went through and just persevering through all the doubts, through all the negativity, through everything, I wouldn't take anything back for the world, I wanted to rub that off on my teammates as well." - Lache Harper
Harper has had a career season in 2019, with 108 points on the year. On the defensive side, Harper has averaged 1.4 blocks per game, sending 11 back against SMU earlier this year, helping her to earn an honor roll mention from the conference. Harper's mental and physical fortitude has been imperative to the Knights success this season!
Alli Sabol #14
Position: Right Side Hitter
Hometown: Dublin, Ohio
Major: Marketing
Years Played: 2016-2019
Alli Sabol has been a member of the UCF Volleyball team since her freshman year in 2016. As a four-season vet, Sabol has experienced her fair share of what it takes and what it means to play for the Knights. Now, in her senior season, Sabol has been able to provide insight to some of the younger players, and her leadership during this 2019 season has not gone unnoticed!
"Throughout any athletes career, there are always those up and down moments, but being able to keep light of every situation that you're in and kind of take it day-by-day and just keep moving forward is, I think, one thing I want them to remember me by, because I think I have done that in my four years here." – Alli Sabol
This year, Alli is averaging 1.62 Kills Per Set, and had a season high 11 at home against Tulane back in October. Sabol serves as an emotional leader for this team, constantly displaying her contagious energy both on and off the floor!
Kristina Fisher #15
Position: Outside Hitter
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Major: Biology/Pre-Vet Zoology Track
Years Played: 2017-2019
Kristina Fisher bursted onto the scene for the Knights in 2017, starting 31 matches and earning American Conference Player of the Week honors twice as a Freshman. She was also able to post six double-doubles as a rookie. Last year, Fisher earned First-Team All-Conference honors. Fisher has accumulated 249 Kills, along with 286 points to this point in the season. Earlier this year, Fisher registered her highest point total (27) and kill total (24) in 2019, against Iowa State.
"I definitely want my team to remember me as that shoulder to cry on – that person that's always there for them whenever their struggling or they need just a lift up. It's a long journey, and you come in Freshman year thinking it's going to take a really long time, but it really goes by in a second." – Kristina Fisher
Kristina Fisher has displayed dedication both on court and in the classroom in her time in The Black and Gold as she is set to walk across the stage to graduate after just three years. Although her teammates will be sad to see her go, Fisher has left a lasting impact on UCF's Volleyball program!
Makenzie Kuchmaner #29
Position: Libero/Defensive Specialist
Hometown: Waxhaw, N.C.
Major: Masters in Kinesiology
Years Played: 2019
Makenzie Kuchmaner also comes from a very athletic family as her mother ran track in college and her father and two brothers played baseball at the collegiate level as well. Makenzie is a redshirt senior who transferred from NC State after 2018 to exercise her fifth year of eligibility. In January 2016, Kuchmaner was a dual sport athlete by playing both volleyball and softball!
"I hope that I'm remembered by just being someone who can come into a new environment and be a good teammate, be selfless, and be somebody people can count on, but I'm just trying to take in the moment, and just live in the present and be the best I can be." – Makenzie Kuchmaner
Kuchmaner has made an evident impact on the Knights defense this season, averaging 4.46 digs per set with a season high 26 against Ole Miss earlier this season. Kuchmaner also does a great job setting up her teammates with 112 total assists on the year. Even though Makenzie was only at UCF for one season, her presence and passion on the court has been a key factor to this 2019 team success!
"This is a group that bridged the 2014 championship team to today, and in the process, they won a championship in 2018. They maintained our standards. They maintained our connection as a team, our culture and our classroom status. It's very easy to achieve something and then let it take a nosedive. This group did not let that happen. If anything, they raised the bar. As a group of seniors, they have made doing well on the court and exceptional in the classroom a pillar of who we are." – UCF Volleyball Head Coach Todd Dagenais
Thank you, seniors.
#ChargeOn