Student Spotlight: Nikkie Viotto, Volleyball and Journalism and Public Communications

For UAA sophomore Nikkie Viotto, becoming a Seawolf volleyball player was a long-awaited dream. Originally from Eagle River, Nikkie grew up watching UAA volleyball. "My dad and I would come watch them play. He would say 'That will be you out there one day,'" she said.

Nikkie's passion for the sport stems from her father. "My dad played volleyball in the Air Force. He taught me everything about the sport. It was something for us to do together," Nikkie said. She started playing completive volleyball at age 12 and she never quit. "My dad was so tactful in teaching me the game. Plus, it didn't hurt that I was good at it."

For Nikkie, family is extremely important. "I'm a family-oriented person," she said, "whether it's my real family or my volleyball family."

But family is not only important to Nikkie, it is also part of the reason she chose to pay for college herself. "My family has always helped me with volleyball, paying for traveling, different leagues and equipment I needed. I didn't want my parents to pay for my college too," she said.

Nikkie's UAA volleyball scholarship helps her with school, as does being a UA scholar. "Putting myself through college with dividends, summer jobs and scholarships is something I'm also doing for myself. It's something for me to be proud of."

Becoming a Seawolf was an easy choice for Nikkie. "The vibe and energy of the fans at our games is amazing. We play for the crowd," she said. "Of course, staying around family was also an important factor for me. It's great because my parents 'ome to my games all the time. My mom and dad get to see me out on court at UAA. It's great because we've always dreamed of it."



As a student and an athlete, Nikkie is very busy. During season, a typical consists of volleyball practice from 7 to 8 a.m., then she goes to her classes, then back for another practice from 3 to 5 p.m. and then study hall until 7 p.m. "It's go, go, go all the time," Nikkie said. "Sometimes I feel like it's hard to handle. But after the season's over, I look back and realize how much fun it was, and I want to do it again."

Nikkie's most proud of winning the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Championships in 2010. "We worked really hard for it," she said. "It proves that if you work hard, you can win whether it's on the court, in the weight room or in class, anything is possible."