Eastern Illinois University Athletics

2015 ... Saw action in 24 matches as a true freshman... played a significant role in the first-round match against Tennessee Tech in the OVC Tournament... had a career-high 16 digs in the match... totaled 93 digs overall in her first season with the Panthers.

HIGH SCHOOL ... Played volleyball at DeKalb HS for coaches Stephanie Gooden, Ben Fisher and Kyle Milbor... a three-time All-Conference honoreee, first earning honorable mention as a sophomore and a pair of First Team kudos following both her junior and senior campaigns... she led all players on her squad for digs all four seasons... DeKalb HS advanced to the super-section match during her junior year, as her squad also picked up numerous tourney titles along the way... member of several honors courses, including the honors speech class.

PERSONAL ... Planning to major in kinesiology and sports studies while at EIU... daughter of James Schladt & Christine Karki... born on June 8... her No. 1 sport highlight was "when I was 15 years old and my team had just won the JVA National Championship"... credits her dad for having the biggest influence on her sports career, "because he has been a coach for many years and taught me a lot as a young girl and has been very supportive of my decisions"... played club ball for Sports Performance in Aurora, Illinois.

OFF THE COURT WITH NICOLE ... 'Nikki' or 'Cole' chose EIU, "because of the friendly atmosphere, the welcoming volleyball team, and the well-rounded campus"... feels some of Eastern's advantages over other instate and OVC schools include "the small class sizes, which allow students to get more one-on-one help, rather than feeling like just a number... plus EIU offers so many different majors which gives every student a chance to explore the field they are interest in most"... enjoys running, swimming, shopping, being around friends, scrapbooking, going to the movies, babysitting, and participating in community services... currently driving a 2000 Dodge Stratus... enjoys eating pickles, mashed potatoes, cheese curds, pasta, and ice cream... but doesn't care for spinach, mayo, fish, and sausage pizza... she can't go anywhere without her phone... while her best vacation memory was "going to Disney World with my family... we ate this very nice and expensive restaurant, watched the fireworks and then went on a boat ride"... her family owns a Gret Pyrenees dog named 'Titan'... fav celebrity is Selina Gomez... her biggest pet peeve is "when I hear people chew"... wishes she could bring her baby sister, Jillian, with her to campus... her advice to a younger athlete is "volleyball is a very detail-oriented sport... it requires you to be aggressive and loud... you have to be very motivated and pay close attention to what you are working on"... her favorite quote comes from Ryan Blair -- "if it is important to you, you will find a way... if not, you'll find an excuse"... her personal goals while at EIU include "achieving the best grades I can... and to ultimately pursue a career in physical therapy or pediatrics."