Air Force Academy

Sept. 26, 2007

This week on "Off the Court with the Falcons", Air Force fans get the chance to meet senior Kim Kallabis, a 5-5 setter from Camino, Calif. A two-year team captain and two-year starter, Kallabis recently moved into the Academy's all-time top-10 list for career assists with 1,210 (as of Sept. 26). To date, she is ranked seventh in the Mountain West Conference, with 7.32 helpers per game.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU ... Kim Kallabis

How did you get started in volleyball?

-- My best friend in middle school played volleyball and so I tried out for the eighth-grade team so that I could do it with her.  A few weeks later we went to a high school game and I watched the high school girls play. I was so amazed by how good they were and from that point on, I was hooked.

Who are the biggest influences in your life and why?

-- My parents are the biggest influence in my life, because I contribute my good character, knowledge, and drive to them.  They are so knowledgeable and supportive and I always look to them for guidance and strength.  I know that they would do anything and everything for me.

How do you balance your athletics, academics and military duties?

-- This is sometimes a difficult task, but I have developed an extremely efficient time management schedule that I use every day. I also have to set priorities, because it is not always possible to accomplish every task you have. You have to pick the most important tasks and be willing to sacrifice doing others.

Who is your favorite non-volleyball athlete(s) at the Academy?

-- My favorite athletes are the swimmers, because their training schedule is so demanding.  They get up early in the morning to go to practice and then turn around and practice again at night.  They spend so many hours a day in the pool for a race that only lasts a few seconds.  The harsh turnaround time for this sport shows the true dedication and hard work of these athletes.

What is your favorite class and why?

-- I love my Operations Research Capstone class, because this class does not have the typical structure of textbook studying, homework, and testing. This class is based on optimizing operations at a business in the local community.  We work with companies in Colorado, travel to the businesses, meet with the staff and try to accomplish the project they task us.  This is the first class that I feel will actually help me in the future when these kinds of projects are actually my job.

Who is your favorite professor/AOC/etc. and why?

-- My favorite AMT is MSgt McGowan in my squadron (CS-35).  I have known him since BCT because he was my AMT and then sophomore year I was fortunate enough to move into his squadron.  He is very level-headed and knowledgeable and takes a realistic approach to every situation.

What is your favorite place on the Academy grounds and why?

-- My favorite place is actually my bed in my room because I spend very little time there.  When I do get the chance to fall asleep though, it is amazing!

What do you like best/least about playing on the road?

-- I love sleeping in the comfortable beds on the road!  The only bad part about being on the road is missing so much class and getting behind.

What are some disadvantages of being tall/short?

-- Being short is a disadvantage to me because it makes it really hard for me to play front row.  Even though I want to be an all around player, getting taller is not something I can really work on.

Who are your biggest fans?

-- My parents, my brother Ryan, and my fiancé, Peter.

What did you work on most in the off-season to prepare for the upcoming season?

-- I worked the most on my setting skills.

What are some of the favorite classes you've taken at the Academy?

-- My favorite classes are always my math classes!

What has been your most memorable "welcome to college" moment?

-- I had never gotten anything lower than an A in my whole entire life.  On my first report card I got a B, and I cried...that was when I realized the Academy was going to be really hard.

What is the best thing about getting a really good block?

-- Since I barely ever get blocks (it's that height thing again) the best part is actually getting a block!

For more "Off the Court" features, click here.