By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
She’s been a part of a state championship team. She’s played the sport of volleyball since the fourth grade. And she loves the pressure of the big moment, especially when the game is on line.
Burlington High School junior Quinn Spieker, a 6-foot-2 outside hitting force that is at times unstoppable, recently realized a lifelong dream of playing Division 1 college volleyball.
A recruitment process that started when she was in eighth grade came to a satisfying end as Spieker verbally committed to attend Division 1 North Carolina State on a full scholarship.
Make no mistake about it – Spieker’s hard work is far from over.
“I am still on the same routine and still have to work hard with school and on the court,” she said via email Tuesday night.
It’s that commitment to excellence that drives Spieker on the court. She is the top hitter for a Burlington team ranked No. 1 in the state with a 30-2 record. Last year, Spieker was the team’s leading hitter as a sophomore.
She is one of the state’s best players, and her combination of athleticism, volleyball IQ and fun-loving personality has had big-time D1 programs like Iowa State and Texas Tech swooning for years.
Keep in mind these things don’t happen very often. Recently, Burlington grads Ciara Capezio, Kaysie Shebeneck and Morganne Longoria have all played D1 ball, but it’s far from the norm.
It’s the highest of high levels, and Spieker is right up there standing shoulder-to-shoulder with all of the school’s great players.
The Standard Press recently caught up with Spieker to discuss why she chose N.C. State, her journey in volleyball and what makes the Demons so successful.
SP: How has life changed since signing with NC State? Who has reached out to you? Any surprises?
QS: Life hasn’t really changed since I have verbally committed to State. I am still on the same routine and still have to work hard with school and on the court. Once I decided where to play in college a lot of people had congratulated me and some of my future teammates are already following me on twitter, so I can already get to know them.
SP: Take me through the recruitment process. When did it start, and how did you land on the Wolfpack?
QS: The recruiting process can be difficult and really stressful at times, it’s basically like taking another class for school. Having to worry about calling and emailing coaches back and everything is a lot of work. The recruiting process somewhat started in 8th grade, but really hit me hard this club season. I played for Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold. I received an email from the assistant coach Kimberly, from N.C. State first and talked to her over the phone a couple times and told her I wanted to take a visit to Raleigh.
It worked out perfectly considering my cousin lived two hours away in Charlotte. I flew by myself into Charlotte and then drove to Raleigh where my cousin and I stayed with her friend in his apartment five minutes away from campus. His whole family is alumni, so he had a lot to tell me about how awesome it was. The following day, I had toured campus with the coaches, met and ate breakfast with the team, and talked to athletic directors of the program. As soon as I was done with the visit, I knew it was everything I wanted.
SP: Were there any other offers? Anyone else come close?
QS: I had offers from Iowa State, South Florida, Texas Tech, and Western Michigan. I was all for NC State but when Iowa State offered it gave me something to think about.
SP: I see your Twitter handle references star rapper Schoolboy Q. What’s on your iPod right now, and what gets you pumped to play?
QS: My Twitter name is Schoolboy Q, it was either that or Rich Homie Quan. But on my iPod is a lot of Timeflies and Eminem. That is usually what is on my pre-game playlist.
SP: Did you always want to play D1 volleyball? When did you fall in love with the sport?
QS: I always wanted to play D1 volleyball. No matter what happened I would make sure that I did that in my future. I started playing in fourth grade for the co-ed league in Burlington, and decided to tryout at Burlington Elite. I always loved playing the game, and I never get sick of it.
SP: Talk about your family. How did they influence your sports career?
QS: My mom and dad come to every high school and club match, they are my biggest supporters for sure. They have given me everything I needed from the day I started playing volleyball and still continue to do that. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without all of those knee pads, shoes, and hotel rooms they have bought. My two sisters, Melanie and Ericka, and my brother Dexter are right behind them. There is nobody who wears my tie-dye louder and better than they do.
SP: Your team is No. 1 in the state right now. Why? What separates you girls from other teams?
QS: We have proven it on the court, but it doesn’t matter right now. It’s the ending ranking that means the most to us. I think what separates us from other teams is that we will not go down without a fight. Every team won’t play their best every day and it’s the great teams that come out on top when they push through the struggle of not being perfect. And that is what we do.
SP: Is it state title or bust this year? Is the state championship something you girls talk about?
QS: A state title is definitely something we all are hungry for. I remember talking about it at the beginning of the season if we needed to lower our goals, and everyone agreed that is not what we want. We want to hold that gold ball over our heads at the end of the season.
SP: What kind of an honor is it to be among the finalists for national player of the year? How do you personally view yourself as a volleyball player?
QS: It truly is an honor to be on the list of finalists for national player of the year. If I could go back six years from now when I first started volleyball, I wouldn’t even hesitate to think that would ever be me.
I would say that I am very competitive. I love playing at the highest level of volleyball I can, and I know I’m not the only one who hates losing more than they love winning.
SP: I notice you guys like to have fun together between matches, with the hair-braiding and other shenanigans like dancing. How important is it to have fun on the court?
QS: Having fun on the court is definitely a factor. If you start a match nervous and tense, things can go the other way really quickly. I always joke with my cousin at the net but as soon as the whistle blows my game face is on.
SP: How is school going? What classes/activities interest you? Do you have as much fun in class as you do on the court?
QS: School is going well so far this year. I am in some pretty tough classes, but it’s good to be pushed. My favorite class is anatomy. I love learning about the body, and Mr. Everson makes me laugh every single day.
SP: Let’s imagine it’s match point, and your team needs a big kill from you. What’s going through your mind just before that fateful serve?
QS: I just think to myself that it’s 0-0 and it’s a game to 1. I love the pressure in those moments. I am waiting for the setter to deliver the ball to me and thinking of the shots that would be open and then swing away.
SP: It’s a year away, but what are your goals at NC State? Do you want to play volleyball after college?
QS: My goals at NC State are to make it into the NCAA Tournament and become an All-American. I would love to play and experience volleyball overseas after college. Having the opportunity to try out for the U.S. national team would be awesome as well, but we will see what comes my way.
SP: What would be your dream job in 10 years?
QS: A college volleyball coach.
SP: Volleyball is huge in Burlington. Why do you think the sport is so successful here, and what advice do you have for young players?
QS: The sport is so successful in Burlington for many reasons. 1. The success it has had in the past, and 2. The expectations the coaches have. They are truly amazing, and it shows by the results we get. My advice to young players is to just look forward to high school season, because you get so much out of it, and it is the best time of the school year.
Meet Quinn Spieker
Favorite movie: “Lone Survivor”
Favorite song: “All the Way,” by Timeflies
Volleyball is … addicting.
I am playing Division 1 college volleyball because … it’s a dream of mine and I couldn’t imagine stopping in one year.
Pre-game food ritual? Free cookie from Subway
If you could have dinner with one person dead or alive, who would it be and why? Phoebe Hozeska (cousin and teammate), Dinner with her is just out of control. We are usually eating for two hours because we can stop laughing.
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