Top Volleyball Setters
Kendall Bateman and Lexi Dannemiller Interviews

College volleyball setters Aubree Smith and Katelyn Steffan open up about life playing on a Division I team

Meet top volleyball setters Michigan's Lexi Dannemiller and USC's Kendall Bateman

I asked top volleyball setters Michigan's Lexi Dannemiller and USC's Kendall Bateman to answer my interview questions about how they live learn and compete in Division I. 

Meet Kendall Bateman one of the top volleyball setters in the Pac 12 Conference.

Meet Kendall Bateman one of the top volleyball setters in the Pac 12 Conference.

Improve Your Volleyball: What makes you special?

When I think of what makes me special, I have to say that my family is what makes me special.

My parents, Jane and Steve, have supported me in every way possible.

My older sister, Kelsey, has taught be to always be thankful for what I have and to give all that I have in anything that I do.

My twin brother Stephen has taught me to relax and help keep a positive attitude.

Improve Your Volleyball: What accessories and/or equipment help you play your best?

My favorite piece of equipment that helps me play my best is the foam roller in the training room. It helps me prepare for practice and takes care of any soreness I might be feeling.

Improve Your Volleyball: What pregame habits, rituals, or superstitions do you have to do before every game?

After a few ankle injuries my freshman year, I get my ankles taped before every game.

My superstition is that I have to have my trainer tape my right foot and then my left or else we have to start over.

Improve Your Volleyball: Who or what inspires you to play well in each match that you play in?

My grandparents inspire me to play well in each volleyball match that I play. I am lucky to have grandparents from both sides of my family living in Southern California and able to come to my games at USC.

They are the most supportive fans and I know they will be proud of me now matter what. They love volleyball and I am so appreciative to have them at my games.

What volleyball awards did Kendall Bateman win this week? 

• Kendall Bateman was voted the Pac 12 Conference Offensive Volleyball Player of the Week by the leagues head volleyballcoaches.
  
  
• Kendall Bateman posted two 40+ assists matches averaging 13.83assists per set against both Stanford and Cal Berkeley Against last year's NCAA volleyball tournament finalist Cal Bears she had 42 assists, seven digs and two blocks, while leading the offense to a.271 hitting percentage. 

• Against Stanford, she garnered 41 assists, nine digs and one block, helping the Women of Troy extend their win streak to four matches.  With the victories, USC jumped up to No. 5 in this week’s AVCA Coaches poll after being ranked No. 12 previously.

Meet Lexi Dannemiller one of the top college volleyball setters in the Big Ten Conference.

Meet Lexi Dannemiller one of the top volleyball setters in the Pac 12 Conference.

Improve Your Volleyball: What makes you special?

I have really strong self-motivation. I have high expectations for myself so I always push myself. I am never satisfied so I think that makes me work harder and in the end, be successful.

Improve Your Volleyball: What accessories and/or equipment help you play your best?

I like the setter hoops we train on. Those help me because it shows me where to set and helps me be consistent.

Improve Your Volleyball: What pregame habits, rituals, or superstitions do you have to do before every game?

I have to listen to music by myself. That is really all that I have to do before a match to mentally prepare.

Improve Your Volleyball: Who or what inspires you to play well in each match that you play in?

I think my team inspires me to play well because we are all in it together. We are all working hard for a common goal.

What volleyball awards did Lexi Dannemiller win this week?

• Lexi Dannemiller was voted the Big Ten Conference Freshman Volleyball Player of the Week by the leagues head volleyball coaches

• Lexi's weekly states were impressive. She averaged 10.8 assists, 5.2 digs and 0.7 blocks per set against Iowa and nationally ranked No. 7 Nebraska      

• She garnered her seventh double-double of the season against the Huskers, recording 33 assists and 22 digs in three sets

• Dannemiller recorded 32 assists and nine digs against the Hawkeye while impressing the conference coaches enough to give her, her third award for the season award

Follow me on Instagram @coach_apchap to improve your game even faster!

I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.

Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.

If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list. 

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4. Top Volleyball Setters Kendall Bateman and Lexi Dannemiller Interviews

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