Eastern Illinois University Athletics

2014 ... Finished her Panther career as one of two go-to defensive, and serving, specialists... saw action in 122 sets, leading her squad behind the service line with a season-best 31 aces... that mark would end up ranking second-best in the entire OVC for league-only matches as the Panthers also finished as team runner-up for aces for both the season and in OVC-only play... OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll.

2013 ... Came off the bench all season as one of two important defensive and serving specialists... finished with 275 total digs and owned a tough serve as she registered 25 total aces to pace her squad... nabbed 15+ digs on four occasions, including a new career best 22 ups in EIU's key five-set win at SIUE... tied her assist mark with four at APSU and also knotted her all-time ace total with three unreturnable serves vs. Presbyterian... OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll.

2012 ... Saw significant action as defensive and serving specialist, as she played in 28 matches... upped a new personal-high 16 attacks in the home finale versus Belmont ... dished four assists as EIU picked up crucial road win at JSU ... also nailed three unreturnable serves in a losing effort to UTM at home ... registered 15-or-more digs in a pair of contests... OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll.

2011 ... As true freshman, she played in eight matches as a defensive and serving specialist... nailed a season-high three aces in the season-finale as the Panthers dispatched UT Martin... had five digs as Eastern also defeated TTU in straight sets at one point in the season... OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll.

HIGH SCHOOL ... A three-sport athlete -- volleyball, softball and basketball -- for coach Andi Hardwick at Heyworth HS... four-year letterwinner in both volleyball and softball... volleyball honors include team MVP all four seasons... three-time First Team All-Conference selection, including unanimous decision as both a junior and senior... named All-Area by the Pantagraph three straight seasons... All-State Honoralbe Mention by the News-Gazette... Chicago Tribume 'Player of the Game' following play at the semifinals and finals of the IHSA state tournament as a senior... earned multiple all-tourney kudos... named WJBC 'Athlete of the Week' every season... Pantagraph area leader in kills as junior and senior.... championship match title holder for kills at the IHSA State Tournament... in basketball, named team MVP as a sophomore and earned varsity letters as both a freshman and sophomore... state qualifier for the 3-point showdown in her freshman season... recorded the most steals and assists as a sophomore while also earning WJBC 'athlete of the Week' honors... in softball, twice elected team MVP... multiple all-conference honoree as both a pitcher and utility player... earned top ERA award twice and recorded the most stolen bases and owned the top batting average three times... multiple WJBC 'Athlete of the Week'... member of the National Honor Society... played club ball for Illini Elite.

PERSONAL ... Majoring in kinesiology and sports studies with an exercise science concentration... daughter of Paul & Tina Springer... born on August 16... No. 1 sports highlight was "winning the Class 1A IHSA State Tournament"... credits her parents for having the biggest influence on her sports career "because they always pushed me to try hardest and they never missed one game"... her great-grandfather, Les Moore, played basketball at Illinois State.

OFF THE COURT WITH DAKOTA ... 'Ko', 'Koda', 'CoCo', or 'KodaBear' chose EIU "because of the friendly atmosphere and the campus size"... also enjoys playing softball, fishing and spending time with family... favorite foods include hot wings, Mexican food, and Big Macs, while she doesn't care much for pasta... wishes she could bring her family dog, 'Sylar' with her to EIU... she can't go anywhere without her cell phone, "nor can I go anywhere by myself"... currently driving a 2000 Pontiac Grand Am... goals while at EIU include "to work hard and become successful both in the classroom and on the court"... her biggest pet peeve are people's feet... her advice to a younger volleyball player would is "be motivated by your desire to achieve"... her favorite quote is "today is a gift, that is why it is called the present"... would really like to meet Denzel Washington, Tom Laughlin, Albert Pujols, and J.D. Drew some day... her secret talents include "juggling and playing the trumpet"... her favorite building on campus is 'Old Main'.