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Christie Ackendorf is a former college athlete at SUNY Fredonia, where she was the senior captain of her college team. Christie majored in business administration management with minors in sports management and psychology. She offers us the perspective of someone who started playing their sport later in life, but still found a way to excel and proves it's never too late to try something new.

1. What made you choose SUNY Fredonia?

The moment I stepped on campus, I knew it was where I wanted to be.

2. What was the biggest challenge transitioning from high school to college athletics?

It's definitely the physical upkeep. In college that's a really big aspect of athletics.

3. When did you know you wanted to continue playing volleyball in college?

When my senior season ended, I realized I wasn't ready to stop playing and I was ready to make the commitment.

Related: Rate your Coaches, Facilities, and Campus Visits

4. Was there ever a moment where volleyball became less enjoyable at the college level?

Playing time can be a setback for a lot of people… Understanding that you're always in constant competition with people.

5. Tell me a little bit about your recruiting process. What were the biggest challenges?

My biggest challenge was making the decision to leave home and move away.

6. When did you start playing volleyball? Did starting in middle/high school set you behind others who had been playing since 3rd or 4th grade?

I started playing in 8th grade. I used to think I had a bit of a disadvantage, but recently I've been thankful because I didn't experience burnout.

Related: 5 Easy Tips to Help College Athletes Prevent Burnout

7. For SUNY Fredonia, who initiated the conversation? Did you reach out first?

My coach came to a travel tournament and he approached me and gave me some information about the school.

8. How did being a captain change your perspective on the sport? How do you make sure to be a good captain for everyone?

I'm constantly trying to put (my teammates) in the best position possible. I try to be a good captain by encouraging all my teammates to come into the gym and somewhere they feel comfortable making mistakes and taking feedback.

9. What's the hardest part about being a Division 3 athlete?

We do pay for all of our gear and travel suits so that's definitely a commitment that's difficult to make sometimes.

Related: 11 Recruiting Tips From D3 Women's Volleyball Coach Tim Byram

10. Do you have any advice for aspiring college athletes?

Never forget why you're doing it.

11. What are you most thankful for as a collegiate athlete?

I'm thankful for all the relationships that college and volleyball have brought to me.

Image Credit: SUNY Fredonia Athletics

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* Originally published on September 7, 2022, by Brayden Koch