ATHENS, Ohio — Junior Caroline Clippard (Cincinnati, Ohio) has been a force on the court for the Bobcats. She has the third-most kills on the team this season with 180 and averages 2.57 kills per set. Clippard has 880 career kills so far.
Ohio is halfway through its season and Clippard is excited to see how her team does with its remaining Mid-American Conference schedule.
How do you feel this season is going so far?
Clippard: I'd say that it's going well, I think we talk every year about October and it's kind of the time where every team is like the weather is changing. We've kind of made it a point not to let that be like an excuse, but just grind through it, and then take advantage of every opportunity at practice. I think we've had some really awesome wins and we've had some tough losses. We let that be motivation because we're gonna see those teams again in the MAC Tournament.
What keeps you motivated through that October?
Clippard: I would say, well, one with it being my last year it definitely brings kind of a different feeling. I don't want to have regrets and I just want to be able to finish well, whatever that means on and off the court. I think just remembering that these are some of the last times — it's kind of sad — but the last times I'm gonna have with my teammates and like what am I leaving them with to just on like a personal level as well.
You mentioned off the court, what do you like to do outside of volleyball?
Clippard: I'm involved with Athletes in Action. I'm a leader within that; it's like a Christian athlete ministry. I would say that keeps me pretty busy. We've been doing team Bible studies. I think it's nice just to kind of have that community outside of sports and it's like still athletes who can talk. Everyone knows what we're going through, but you get different perspectives. I think that's something that I've loved being involved in the past three years.
What do you like to do for a little "you time" after your club meetings and practices?
Clippard: It feels like one thing to the next (laughs). I would say my fiance, Kurtis, and I just finished Ted Lasso. Either he'd come to my house or I'd go there, but we would just relax because we're both athletes and we're both super tired, so we'd usually watch Ted Lasso. It was one of my favorite shows.
What do you like most about Ted Lasso?
Clippard: I think it's just so unique, like his coaching style and everything. It's funny being an athlete because you're like 'what this is wild,' some of the stuff that happened. It's fun and light-hearted. There's not a whole bunch to do but just relax.
What do you want to do after volleyball?
Clippard: I'm a communications major, but I'm minoring in sports management. I was education for a brief time as well. The reason I chose comms is because it's so broad and I'm not entirely sure of next steps, so I think that it gives me the opportunity to look into a lot of different fields. As of right now, I think that depending on where I end up, I think that remote would be the best option. I would love to eventually, further down the road, do something with a nonprofit.
Are there any specific areas of nonprofit work that really interests you?
Clippard: There's something called Back2Back Ministries. They have locations in Africa, so I'd say something with that, like mission work or something with children. I think that sex trafficking is really awful and there's more nonprofits that are putting resources toward that.
Where does Caroline now see Caroline in 10 years?
Clippard: I think by then I would want to have a couple kids maybe. I think I'd love to be doing something nonprofit. I'm such a busy body, so I want to keep busy but I also am also a big homebody. I want to find a balance there. I think yeah, just kind of just like being able to soak up all the little moments of life and not having a crazy schedule. I think that'll be so different and that's something I can't really imagine right this second. I'm a big family person. I grew up next door to my cousin's my grandparents. That would be like a dream to be able to at least be close to family.
Earlier you mentioned this is your last year, what's the biggest lesson that volleyball has taught you that you're going to still carry in 10 years?
Clippard: I feel like there's so many like little ones, but I think it's just showing me I'm always capable of more than I think I am. It's given me opportunities where I've been pushed and challenged and uncomfortable. When I encounter those similar feelings like in my next chapter, I think I'll be able to navigate them better. it's also taught me a lot about leadership and the impact that anybody can have if they're willing to step into that. I think that's kind of the reason I'm so drawn to working in a mission field or like a nonprofit because I love being able to impact people and see what they're able to do.
#OUohyeah
