11 Questions With Kelsey King
9/30/2008 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Sept. 30, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Rolltide.com and the Alabama women's soccer team present its new athlete for 11 questions. Select players and coaches will check in weekly on Rolltide.com and answer questions pertaining to things on and off the field. The sixth edition features junior forward Kelsey King.
Rolltide.com: You were only able to play in six games last year ... what has enabled you to play at the level you are at right now?
Kelsey King: Last year was really a disappointment. The transition from playing my freshman year to not playing hardly at all my sophomore year was extremely difficult to deal with but only challenged me to keep pushing forward and remind myself of why I really play soccer. What has enabled me to play at the level I am at now is being I am physically and mentally healthy, having a team and coaching staff that are always supportive, finally having confidence in myself, and being able to enjoy the game.
Rolltide.com: You scored late in the Vanderbilt game to help Alabama earn its first win to open SEC play since 1999 ... what was it liked to beat them on the road?
King: It was awesome. Not to mention the first time we had ever won on that field since the program started. I think it was what we needed to give us the confidence that we can compete in the conference and show everyone that we want to go to the SEC tournament!
Rolltide.com: The team has won five in a row at home without allowing a goal ... why is the team so successful at its home field?
King: I think the reason that we are so successful on our home field is because who doesn't love to play at home? The atmosphere is awesome with the loud fans and music and the mood is always so upbeat. We are so fortunate to have a field and complex like ours and we feel like we have something to prove this year.
Rolltide.com: You and Karen Lansden are both from Texas (same high school) what is it like to have another player on the team from your area?
King: It is really nice to have a teammate that I went to high school with. I feel like if there is ever a dull moment we can go back to something that happened in high school and cheer ourselves up. Also, it made the transition to college much smoother because I was able to stay with her before we could move into the dorms and she really helped me get into the swing of things and balancing between school and soccer.
Rolltide.com: How has the new coaching staff been and how is the transition?
King: We are so lucky to have the coaches that we have and the transition has been a relatively easy one. It is always known that when a new coaching staff comes in there will be different expectations and things might get a little rough at times but we have all felt so fortunate to have the new coaches and I don't think we would want anything different. They are always so positive and really push us to be the best people that we can be, whether that is as a player or student, on or off the field.
Rolltide.com: Do you have a favorite professional soccer team and why?
King: My favorite professional team would have to be the Brazilian Women's National Team. I was lucky enough to see them play in California vs. US and stay in the same hotel as them. It was really neat to watch them share their culture with everyone and see their true passion for the game.
Rolltide.com: If you could play another sport in college what would it be?
King: If I could play another sport in college it would probably be volleyball. I used to play (well kind of) and I really enjoyed it. I love to play beach but we are a little far away for that. I mean who doesn't enjoy a sport in spandex?
Rolltide.com: What is on your IPOD right now?
King: My Ipod has been on Citizen Cope for I don't know how long. It is usually on shuffle but for some reason I felt like cc was going to do it for me this past weekend on the bus.
Rolltide.com: What is your favorite pregame meal?
King: This is probably weird but I would have to say that my favorite pregame meal is a tuna melt with a cup of broccoli cheese soup and fruit from Jason's Deli. Okay that sounds really gross now.
Rolltide.com: When and why did you start playing the game of soccer?
King: I started playing soccer when I was five because I was always obsessed with running, sports, and being outdoors and tried every sport imaginable and soccer just stuck. I loved it from the time I started playing and couldn't imagine what I would be doing now if it still wasn't a part of my life. I'm sure my parents appreciated that it involved lots of tiresome running when I was little too.
Rolltide.com: Why did you choose to go to the University of Alabama?
King: I chose to go to the University of Alabama because I fell in love with the campus the first time I saw it. It is beautiful and just knew that the school was the perfect fit for me. I also really liked the girls on the team when I met them and knew that this is where I wanted to continue playing soccer.
