UNSCRIPTED CHIAKA PRATT-KOLLORE

Greensboro News & Record October 6, 2006

KELLIE DIXON: You've got a cool name. What does it mean?

CHIAKA PRATT-KOLLORE: My mother told me she got it from this Asian lady. She changed it to Chiaka Kyowmi, which means "most beautiful experience."

KD: What has been your most beautiful experience?

CPK: I would say volleyball. I've been playing since I was in the seventh grade, and when I started, my friend was, like, "Come play volleyball. Try out with me." I made the team, and I've been playing ever since. I was in Junior Olympic playing for the Greensboro Sportsplex, My sophomore year I got MVP of the year in the Copper Division. I was pretty excited about that.

KD: Have you always been a setter?

CPK: When I played Junior Olympic, I just played left front and left back and middle back, but I pretty much do it all. Except for blocking, 'cause, you know, I'm so short.

KD: How tall are you?

CPK: 5-3.

KD: Do you think that makes the sport tougher?

CPK: We use back row setters, so I still get to hit. I don't have much a problem with setting, but I just love to hit.

KD: Can you get up there?

CPK: I can get up there. It's not hard. I just have to take my time and take my approach, hit it one step at a time.

KD: What has this season been like?

CPK: I feel like even though we haven't won a match, that we are doing good. It would feel good to win, but we have a pretty strong team. It's just when we get down, we lose it.

KD: Most people wouldn't stick with it like you have. Why have you?

CPK: Because I guess I have a lot of faith in this team and every year I try to get people to play, even if they don't know how to play. I tell them I'll work with them. I don't have a problem with working with others. Maybe because it's my love for the sport. ... Volleyball is my heart. It's like with all the stuff that I go through, I can always go to volleyball to relieve my stress.

KD: What's your biggest strength?

CPK: I would say between hitting and my serve. I know I'm not the strongest setter, but I'm not the worst. I've improved a lot in my setting, and I try not to think about it. When I don't think about it as much, it comes easier.

KD: What do you need to focus on?

CPK: Blocking.

KD: Getting tall?

CPK: Yeah. My goal is 5-5.

KD: How are you planning on growing two inches?

CPK: I don't know, but I have until March.

KD: What happens then?

CPK: My birthday. I'll be 18. Most people say females have until they're 18 (to grow) and guys have until they're 21.