Indiana University Athletics
Fickell Brings Competitive Nature to Bloomington
7/25/2023 10:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Fickell Q&A
There's no doubt that Luca Fickell is competitive, both on and off the court. When you grow up as the only girl with five brothers and a father who coaches college football at a high level, you've got to learn to hold your own when it comes to playing sports.
When the Fickell's relocated to Cincinnati, she began setting at her new club and watched her volleyball career take off. She prepped at St. Ursula Academy and played at Tri-State Elite, one of the better clubs in the Midwest.
Now, as her father begins his first year as the Wisconsin head football coach, Fickell begins her tenure at her own Big Ten institution. Alongside Ava Vickers and Ramsey Gary, Fickell rounds out a freshman class comprised entirely of kids from the Midwest.
She is prepared to add talent and depth to a setter room that already features All-Big Ten junior Camryn Haworth and Northeastern transfer Natalia Hagopian.
We caught up with one of the newest Hoosiers as she wraps up her first summer in Bloomington and preps for the beginning of her college career in August.
How have you liked being in Bloomington so far?
"I really like it a lot. The girls are very nice and super welcoming and it's been great to get in and train here and lift with the rest of the team."
When did you really start getting into volleyball?
"I've always liked it a ton but when I moved to Cincinnati in the sixth grade and started setting at my new club, ever since then it really started growing from there."
What do you like about setting?
"I like to be able to run the show and be in control but at the same time you're able to help your teammates. Some people don't like taking the blame for things but sometimes I do. During my high school season, it was really good for me to take the control and take blame on some things."
How have you seen yourself develop in the game?
"At the beginning, I was a little rough and I didn't really like setting because I wasn't the best at it. The more I got to play, I really like the leadership that comes with setting and the decision making. Setting itself is super fun but it wasn't my favorite at first. I've just had to work at it."
What made IU the right choice for you?
"At IU, I just really loved the coaches. When I came here, I saw it was a family-like culture. When we got in the gym, I saw it was very competitive and intense. It was a great opportunity to play against really good competition."
What have the last months been like for your family with your dad taking a new job?
"It was a little crazy because he left in December. Since I was a senior, I wanted to stay and finish my senior year. My family moved around spring break so I stayed in Cincinnati for a while with my cousin to finish up school. I went to Wisconsin a couple weeks into the summer. It's been a good transition. My dad and my family love it."
How was it like growing up with all those brothers?
"It definitely made me very competitive. We played all different kind of sports against my brothers growing up so I think that's why I'm very tough. I like having a bunch of brothers. It makes me my dad's favorite so that has its perks."
How did your dad help you through the recruiting process?
"He was very good at just being a dad. They let me do most of the stuff. Obviously, they were there if I had any questions but they only gave their opinion when I asked. They were helpful but not too overbearing about it."
What's the thing you're looking forward to the most about being at IU?
"I'm very excited to get to get to the gym and start training in the most competitive atmosphere I've ever been in. I can't wait to have all the older girls push me every day."
What will you be able to learn from Camryn [Haworth]?
"I'm super excited because I think I can learn a ton from her. She's been super welcoming and I'll get to see a lot from watching her skills and the way she talks and interacts."
What's your emotion level like on the court?
"I try to be a little bit more lowkey since I have to run a lot of things but I also do get very excited at the same time. It's a balance of both. I kind of sense whatever the team needs and bring that."
What can IU fans expect from you?
"They can expect me to be very exciting on the court. I'm hoping I'll be a good leader and be a calm, excited figure on the court."
There's no doubt that Luca Fickell is competitive, both on and off the court. When you grow up as the only girl with five brothers and a father who coaches college football at a high level, you've got to learn to hold your own when it comes to playing sports.
When the Fickell's relocated to Cincinnati, she began setting at her new club and watched her volleyball career take off. She prepped at St. Ursula Academy and played at Tri-State Elite, one of the better clubs in the Midwest.
Now, as her father begins his first year as the Wisconsin head football coach, Fickell begins her tenure at her own Big Ten institution. Alongside Ava Vickers and Ramsey Gary, Fickell rounds out a freshman class comprised entirely of kids from the Midwest.
She is prepared to add talent and depth to a setter room that already features All-Big Ten junior Camryn Haworth and Northeastern transfer Natalia Hagopian.
We caught up with one of the newest Hoosiers as she wraps up her first summer in Bloomington and preps for the beginning of her college career in August.
How have you liked being in Bloomington so far?
"I really like it a lot. The girls are very nice and super welcoming and it's been great to get in and train here and lift with the rest of the team."
When did you really start getting into volleyball?
"I've always liked it a ton but when I moved to Cincinnati in the sixth grade and started setting at my new club, ever since then it really started growing from there."
What do you like about setting?
"I like to be able to run the show and be in control but at the same time you're able to help your teammates. Some people don't like taking the blame for things but sometimes I do. During my high school season, it was really good for me to take the control and take blame on some things."
How have you seen yourself develop in the game?
"At the beginning, I was a little rough and I didn't really like setting because I wasn't the best at it. The more I got to play, I really like the leadership that comes with setting and the decision making. Setting itself is super fun but it wasn't my favorite at first. I've just had to work at it."
What made IU the right choice for you?
"At IU, I just really loved the coaches. When I came here, I saw it was a family-like culture. When we got in the gym, I saw it was very competitive and intense. It was a great opportunity to play against really good competition."
What have the last months been like for your family with your dad taking a new job?
"It was a little crazy because he left in December. Since I was a senior, I wanted to stay and finish my senior year. My family moved around spring break so I stayed in Cincinnati for a while with my cousin to finish up school. I went to Wisconsin a couple weeks into the summer. It's been a good transition. My dad and my family love it."
How was it like growing up with all those brothers?
"It definitely made me very competitive. We played all different kind of sports against my brothers growing up so I think that's why I'm very tough. I like having a bunch of brothers. It makes me my dad's favorite so that has its perks."
How did your dad help you through the recruiting process?
"He was very good at just being a dad. They let me do most of the stuff. Obviously, they were there if I had any questions but they only gave their opinion when I asked. They were helpful but not too overbearing about it."
What's the thing you're looking forward to the most about being at IU?
"I'm very excited to get to get to the gym and start training in the most competitive atmosphere I've ever been in. I can't wait to have all the older girls push me every day."
What will you be able to learn from Camryn [Haworth]?
"I'm super excited because I think I can learn a ton from her. She's been super welcoming and I'll get to see a lot from watching her skills and the way she talks and interacts."
What's your emotion level like on the court?
"I try to be a little bit more lowkey since I have to run a lot of things but I also do get very excited at the same time. It's a balance of both. I kind of sense whatever the team needs and bring that."
What can IU fans expect from you?
"They can expect me to be very exciting on the court. I'm hoping I'll be a good leader and be a calm, excited figure on the court."
Players Mentioned
Setter
/ Women's Volleyball
Libero
/ Women's Volleyball
Setter
/ Women's Volleyball
Setter
/ Women's Volleyball
Middle Blocker
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