By Tara Sowle
UWRF Sports Information

Volleyball is a huge part of senior Falcon Barbie Soine's life and it will continue to be so as she pursues a career in coaching.

She started playing volleyball when she was in fifth grade. "I started playing through school and thought it would be fun and a great way to meet people. I love it for the competitiveness and being with friends," says Soine.

She attended Montevideo High School where she made a name for herself as an athlete. She was named the conference's Most Valuable Player in 2001, to the all-conference team three times and to the All-Area team twice. She was also named her team's Most Valuable Player in 2001 and has the school's assist record with 2,199. In basketball she earned all-conference recognition twice and she earned the honor five times in track & field. She was also her basketball team's Most Valuable Player and the track & field's Most Valuable Player in 2002.

This is her second year with the UW-RF volleyball team. She started her college volleyball career at Southwest State which is a NCAA Div. II institution. "It was a lot more intense," according to Soine. For her second year, she played at Ridgewater Community College. "Playing with the Falcons is in the middle and it's perfect for me."

Last year she played in 32 games and had nine kills, five assists, and 45 digs. She plays the setter or libero position. "Barb provides this team with a lot of energy. She is a great team player and she provides a stable role model for many to follow," said Falcon Coach Patti Ford.

In the future she would like to coach volleyball. "Barb has all the personable skills to become a good coach. She is well versed in many sports - playing volleyball and running track at the collegiate level will certainly help her relate to athletes."   Soine is majoring in health and human performance and is returning next year to complete a second minor in business.

Along with being a volleyball player, Soine is also a member for the Falcon track & field team. During the outdoor season, she competes in the 100 and 200-meter dashes and does 100-meter hurdles, relays, long jump and triple jump. In the indoor season she competes in the 55, 200 and 400-meter dashes, the 55-meter hurdles, the triple jump and the long jump. "I do miss a little of the spring volleyball, but competing in both track and volleyball works out well," said Soine.