Freshman Nikki Sweet started off playing volleyball just for fun, but as she got older, she began to take the sport more seriously, wanting to play on the college level.
“In seventh grade I just tried out for the middle school team,” Sweet said. “I really didn’t know much about it. I was just trying out with some friends, and ended up making it. I love the sport and I ended up playing competitively in club and such, and ever since then, I had a thing for it.”
Sweet said she didn’t consider playing volleyball beyond high school, at first.
“I was definitely was just playing for fun,” Sweet said. “Then when I got into high school, I really decided that I wanted to pursue it at the college level.”
Her interest in playing volleyball in college got her to send letters to a number of small Division I schools — including N.C. State.
When coach Charita Stubbs first arrived on State’s campus, the coaches hosted a number of clinics, including one at Apex High School, which is where Sweet was attending. And this is where Stubbs first learned of the freshman libero player.
“Her high school coach at the time and her assistant coach had approached Keisha [Demps] and I, saying there was a lady that was very interested in N.C. State,” Stubbs said.
“Her assistant coach at the time was a graduate of N.C. State. She said that she was a really good kid and that she would be a great addition to the program. And that was the first time we saw her and we kind of followed her from that point.”
Sweet was eventually offered a scholarship to play for the Wolfpack, something she and her family was excited about.
“We’ve all been Wolfpack fans pretty much all of our lives and it’s like a dream come true,” Sweet said. “They come to every volleyball game and they’re my biggest supporters and they just love the fact that I’m playing here.”
Sweet’s roommate and teammate, freshman opposite side Lauren Zaniboni, said Sweet definitely brings a lot to the team.
“She’s quick and she’s probably the best digger that we have on defense,” Zaniboni said. “She does a really good job on getting the ball up. She also has a really good attitude. She’s never really been negative. She always has a positive look on her face. She’s kind of calm too.”
Stubbs said she’s not only been impressed with her on the court, but off as well.
“She brings a lot of stability,” Stubbs said. “She’s a great player. Everyday she comes and gets everything that she needs to get in practice. She’s not one of those types of players that you have to sit back and worry about. She’s really in control of herself and very thoughtful. She doesn’t act like a freshman at all.”
But Sweet does have a few limitations that the coaching staff is working to improve.
“Just anatomically, her elbows do not touch, so in order for her the pass the volleyball, she has to work hard to make sure she’s squeezing as tight as she can at the point of contact with the ball,” Stubbs said. “And she understands that. She’s doing exercises to loosen up her shoulders that will help her get better in that area. It’s just the way her body is.”
Though the season is coming to a close, both Stubbs and Zaniboni believe Sweet can become one of the best players in the league.
“The sky’s the limit for her,” Stubbs said. “She knows exactly what she’s capable of doing. She understands her limitations and she works hard everyday so that her limitations are not noticeable or not as noticeable. And I expect her to be one of the best players that lead the program because of all she brings to the table now.”
