Marlea Rolander has excelled as an All-HCAC performer for Defiance in volleyball and on the track and will be a four-time letterwinner in both.

Now is your chance to get to know Marlea Rolander away from the court, as we go beyond the box score with the senior middle blocker.

20 Questions With Marlea Rolander

1-When did you start playing volleyball? I started in seventh grade. I had never played any sports until then and figured it was about time that I started doing something active.

2-What has been the highlight of your athletic career so far? My whole career has been a blast, especially because I have been able to play two sports for four years and stay healthy. The mix of volleyball and track has kept things fresh because it is like I have two different families and it makes school a lot more exciting. I do not know what I would do if I did not have sports all year.

3-What are your goals for the remainder of the 2011 season? As a senior captain, I just want to see us play together as a team and enjoy ourselves on the court. I know that if we can do that, then the wins will follow. 

4-Who is your funniest teammate? Caroline Hesterman is a gosh darn riot because of her imitations. She is really off the wall like me.

5-Do you have any nicknames? Mar, Mar's Bar, Beez, Martichoke, Marmadillo, Super Mario, Chris Farlea, 30 Seconds to Mar, Marshmellow, Maardvark, Babygurl, etc. All of the bad puns are from my boyfriend.

6-What three words best describe you? Silly, bouncy, sunny. 

7-What is your favorite restaurant? Daryce Rolander's kitchen. Delicious and cheap!

8-Who is your biggest hero? My dad is probably the biggest because he is 6-5 and that is pretty big. Haha, no seriously, probably my mom. She always puts everybody else before her and she is the strongest person that I know. She always makes sure everybody else is taken care of.

9-Dream vacation spot? Ireland would be great because I think it is really pretty. I would love to go there and just walk around. Also, with all the leprechauns there are probably pots of gold everywhere and that could help with my student loans. So that is a great vacation on two levels!

10-What is the top song currently on your iPod? "Semi Charmed Life", by Third Eye Blind is number one. Everybody loves that song.

11-Who was your childhood sports hero? I was not in sports as a child, so I did not really have one. If I had to pick one, I would say Michael Jordan. He is the good golfer right?

12-Do you have any superstitions or pre-match routines? I wear the same headbands for every game. That is about it. It is really not any of your business.

13-If you could trade places with anyone for one day, who would it be? I do not think that I would. There has never really been a time when I have wished I had someone else's life.

14-What is your favorite TV show? "Everybody Loves Raymond", because I too, love Raymond.

15-What is something most people do not know about you? Even though I play two sports at Defiance, I never really considered playing them in college until the last minute of my high school senior year. I think I made the right decision.

16-What is your biggest fear? I hate public speaking. My hands get all sweaty.

17-Besides your own, what is your favorite sport to watch at Defiance? I really like watching tennis matches and that has nothing to do with the fact that my boyfriend is the team captain. I like watching women's and men's basketball too.

18-What is your favorite class or professor at DC and why? Dr. Keith Christy is my favorite professor because everybody loves Dr. Christy (and Raymond). I like his teaching style. 

19-What are your plans after graduating from DC? I plan on going to school for two more years to become an ultrasound technician. That is assuming I do not win the lottery and move to Aruba. 

20-How has playing collegiate athletics at DC helped you in life? It has taught me balance, organization and time management. Representing Defiance College for the past four years has been a ton of fun and has helped me become the person I am now. I have also gotten well over a dozen free t-shirts. Score!