When senior outside hitter Katie Lindelow sets her mind to something, she makes it happen.
The Mandeville, Louisiana, native earned her undergraduate degree in sports administration in three years and now looks to succeed in graduate school, while leading LSU’s volleyball team during her senior year of eligibility. Meanwhile, 67 percent of LSU students graduate within six years, according to collegeboard.org.
Lindelow enrolled in sports management at LSU’s graduate school in August but is not planning on leaving her label of athlete behind just yet.
Throughout her collegiate career, Lindelow earned several awards and acquired valuable leadership skills, but her competitiveness reaches sky-high levels.
“I don’t care what sport it is, if you’re across from Katie Lindelow, she’s going to fight to win,” said LSU coach Fran Flory. “She doesn’t want to be in any fun competitions. Everything she gets into is about competing and winning.”
Being one of the most hard-working and experienced players, Lindelow’s ambiance makes the team better both on and off the court.
Sophomore setter Cheyenne Wood said Lindelow expects teammates to do their job whether they are seniors or freshmen, which results in the team naturally giving everything and wanting to do well for her.
As a freshman, Lindelow’s beach volleyball partner was Meghan Mannari, who went pro after graduation and reached the semifinals in her most recent championship this summer. Lindelow now hopes to follow her footsteps.
“For my second year of grad school, I’m hoping to play beach for another year because I have some more eligibility there,” Lindelow said. “After that, I would love to pursue a beach career for a little while to see how I can do on the professional circuits.”
She is used to balancing school and volleyball and said there is no need to adapt for the upcoming semesters. However, Flory said she thinks being a graduate student will actually have positive effects on Lindelow, especially from a mental standpoint.
“As an undergrad, you try to prove yourself and want to be done with all those classes you don’t think you ever will get to use in your life, but once you get into grad school, it’s what you want to do,” Flory said. “She’s enjoying that, has a different aura and confidence and is overall an even more mature person this year.”
But how does she do it?
Next to hard work, determination and setting priorities straight, Lindelow said her secret to a good game is choosing the pre-game meal.
“We would either have fish or chicken, but green beans have been a big favorite,” she said. “I like potatoes cooked in any way there is, and [I] have to have dessert before a game. Fruit counts, but if it can be a chocolate chip cookie, I’ll go with that.”
After becoming the foundation of the team, being named to the 2013 Rice Invitational All-Tournament Team and winning an SEC Defensive Player of the Week award in December, the woman wearing No. 7 said she only has one regret.
“We act like we know it all,” she said. “Fran tells us what’s going to happen, but we don’t always listen. Coming in as a freshman, I wish I had done everything she said. From studying every night to being as productive as possible early on, I would have done a little bit better in general, looking back. But what are you going to do? Now we’re here.”
The Flory-Lindelow relationship grew over the years to something bigger than just a senior player and her coach.
“We definitely had a long time with Fran, and she’s been great all the way through,” Lindelow said. “She knows us better than our parents at this point after spending every day with us. She has definitely made the four years enjoyable.”
Lindelow said she doesn’t know what her life after volleyball will look like or if there’s ever going to be one. As of now, she’s focusing on this season’s goals and continues giving everything to reach them.
“I wanted to graduate and contribute to the team when I first came here,” she said. “I think a big goal for us is to win an SEC championship. I’ve done everything in my power to help the team get there, so we’ll see if we can get to do it now.”