As one of Campbell volleyball's few upperclassmen, Katie Stallings, a junior on the right side, is a leader for her teammates. Serving as the lone captain on the squad, Stallings is optimistic about what her talented "yougins" bring to the 2007 version of Fighting Camel volleyball. Although she admits that being an upperclassman is a little different, the Colorado native is more than willing to meet the challenge it brings.

Q: You've been on this team for three years now, how does this year's squad compare to the previous two?

A: This year's squad is obviously a lot younger, but we all get along really well. Compared to the last few years, I would say that there is more anticipation on the court and it's kind of nice to have a completely clean slate; the other teams don't really know what to expect. We also know that younger players are going to have to step into the leadership roles that upperclassmen normally fill.

Q: How were you selected for the position as captain?

A: Well without any seniors I think coach was looking for which upperclassmen would lead. It was my goal when I came here to be a leader on this team. So it just fit, I suppose.

Q: What kind of leader would you consider yourself? How do you lead?

A: I always strive to be a very positive leader. I know I don't always lead in statistics so it is important that I am very vocal as well. Because I am not on the court the entire time, it is really important to me to make an impact, it's something my dad says to me constantly. I also think it is very important that I am trustworthy on and off the court.

Q: This version of the Fighting Camels brings a lot of youth, how do you feel about the new girls and what they bring to the team?

A: Each girl brings something different to the court, making the dynamic of the team great. Playing at this level is a difficult job and it comes with a lot of pressure; these girls are being thrown into the mix at a young age. We expect a lot from these "youngins" and they have really stepped up. It should give them a lot of confidence that so much has been entrusted in them. Before the season, our older girls decided that this was not going to be a "rebuilding year" and we have made very few excuses for the freshmen being freshmen. They have really risen to the challenge though, and I know it is only going to get better from here.

Q: It seems like, as a team, you've been right there, in every game, yet you have a few more losses than you wanted, what needs to happen for all of it to come together?

A: I think what needs to change is all on our side of the court, which is a good thing, knowing that we have the control over the outcome of the games. I think, if I had to pin it down, I would say we need to finish. We are getting better at finding a rhythm with each other and making runs on the other teams, however, it seems like if our opponent gets a run we all tense up. It comes back to us being a young team. We are really learning to trust each other and to just relax and play. We are all gamers and know what it is going to take to do well in conference play, and I know it will all come together.

Q: So, you have a pretty long name, that's not what you would call typical. Where did your name come from? Any history behind it?

A: I was the first granddaughter born, so my mother named me Else and Evelyn after both of my grandmothers. I think she did that not wanting to make either of them mad. Then she picked a name that she liked, Katrina, and she really liked Katie as a nickname.

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time, when you're not on the court or hitting the books?

A: I don't have a lot of spare time, but when I do, I usually sleep and there are a couple really good shows on TV that I like to watch.

Q: What is your favorite food? Or, if you are an ice cream person, what's your favorite flavor at Sunny Skies? (Sunny Skies is a local, family-owned, homemade ice cream shop located in Angier, N.C.)

A: My favorite food is probably anything with cheese, I love my grandparents' cooking. At Sunny Skies, I always try and get something different, just to mix it up a little. But one of my favorites is caramel pralines.