Off the court with Soriana Pacheco

Senior Soriana Pacheco, a native Venezuelan, came to K-State her junior year from Western Nebraska Community College. She is the starting setter on the volleyball team, tallying 778 assists so far this season.

Q: How do you like your role as a setter?
   
A: I think it's a hard position, because I need to run the team every time like the boss for the team. But I really like it, because everything that I have to do, my coaches are telling me every time what I have to do. I like it; it's fun.

Q: What was it like earning Big 12 Rookie of the Week last season?
   
A: I was pretty excited. I was like, "Ooh, I'm happy!" I told my family - they're from Venezuela - and they got pretty excited when I told them. I really liked it. I do my best every time.

Q: Are you from a sports family?

A: No. My sister used to play volleyball, but just for fun. My brother, he plays volleyball. He's starting right now. He's 14.

Q: Is he going to be a setter?

A: No, he's a middle blocker. He's like 6-foot-4. For his age, he's very tall.

Q: How was it winning the NJCAA National Championship in 2007?

A: That was the best experience of my career because that was in 2007, and I was kind of new in the American system, and it was a big deal to come here. Because of that, Suzie saw me in Nationals, and she told me, "Hey, do you want to come visit K-State?" I said, "Yes!" After that, I think I improved my level playing volleyball because of the National Championship.

Q: Why did you ultimately come to K-State?

A: I really like Suzie and the coaches, and I'm studying social sciences and human resources, and here they have that major. And it's too cold [in Nebraska]. It's cold here, but it's better.

Q: How is it being a senior on such a young team?

A: It is kind of hard because they're getting used to the way that I play. I like the experience, because I've never played with such young players before. I think I'm having fun, and I'm trying to do my best.

Q: What are your goals for the season?

A: My goal for the season is to win everything that we have right now and try to be in first place in the Big 12.

Q: What are your hobbies outside of volleyball?

A: Right now, I talk with my family over Skype. I really like to go to the movies to see a scary or funny movie. I love the beach. It's my passion. I really like going home and going to the beach with my friends and family.

Q: Who is your best friend on the team?

A: My best friend is Vanessa [Murray]. She's my roommate. And Sarah Allison. Those are my friends on the team.

Q: What are your plans after college?

A: I'm trying to go play professional in Puerto Rico in January. That's going to take me four months, and then I come back for graduation. Then I'm going to Venezuela, and hopefully I'm going to play in Spain or France in September.

Q: Do you follow a certain volleyball team?

A: What I like to do, because I was on a national team in Venezuela, I try to keep in touch with my friends. They let me know how they're doing worldly. That is the team that I'm following right now. Maybe I'm going to play with the national team once again.


THE SORIANA PACHECO FILE
Matches played: 20
Matches started: 20
Assists: 778
Kills: 38 
Hitting percentage: .212
Service aces: 15
Digs: 155
Blocks: 44