Finding her niche on the net

Chloe Knudson isn’t a typical outside hitter.

Sure, she can jump and make all those highlight-reel plays like any other player on the court for the North Idaho College volleyball team.

But Knudson, the Lake City High product, does all while standing 5-foot-5.

“I honestly thought I’d just stay in the back row because of my height,” said Knudson, a sophomore. “I was pretty short and quick back there. It just kind of worked out on its own.”

As a freshman, Knudson moved from the back in 2018.

“She was our right side hitter last year because we had two strong outsides in Hailee (Etter) and Kayla (Neumann) that were playing for us,” NIC coach Kelsey Stanley said. “Then our setter got hurt midway through the season, and Chloe took over the position. This year, she’s our outside hitter and doing outstanding for us. The thing about Chloe is that she’s just so athletic.”

“I was definitely nervous at first because I hadn’t played that position before,” Knudson said. “I hadn’t been a hitter since my third year of volleyball a really long time ago. But then it started going well for me and I really started to enjoy it.”

The move has also opened Knudson to play relaxed.

“When I was setting, I had the mindset that I had to do certain things for our hitters,” Knudson said. “This year, I’m playing more free and have a lot more ability to have more fun. It’s also changed my mentality to where I’m not as hard on myself as I used to be. Instead of having to put the ball in certain spots, I’ve got the entire court to swing and score.”

“I think she wanted that challenge,” Stanley said. “To be honest, her playing back row in high school gave her that confidence to be a good defensive player, which she still is. I don’t know how many chances she had at hitting in high school, but when we gave her that opportunity, she was excited and ready for that challenge.”

At Lake City, Knudson was a defensive specialist.

It wasn’t until Knudson arrived at NIC that Stanley knew where to play her on the court.

“We got her from Lake City, where she only played in the back row,” Stanley said. “And I recruited her to play in the back row for us. I saw her swing a couple times in practice and thought that was an option we might have in her. When she came to us, and we watched her play all the way around, (NIC assistant coach) Robin (Reese) and I knew there was no way we could take her off the floor. We knew she had to be playing somewhere for us, and hitting because she’s such a good athlete. And now I think she’s kind of found her niche on the outside, and has done a great job for us.”

For the season, Knudson has 243 kills, 317 digs, nine solo blocks — 34 total — and recorded 31 aces.

“She’s 5-5, 5-6 and is hitting over these 6-foot volleyball players, which is amazing to think about,” Stanley said. “She’s just been an outstanding player for us. We knew she’d be playing somewhere for us. Last week, her head and almost her chest were completely over the net. This kid can jump like crazy.”

When Chloe has the time, she’s also involved in art projects.

“I’m enrolled in a ceramics class and love doing pottery and throwing stuff on the wheel,” Knudson said. “I love to go hiking, relaxing in a hammock and really anything outside when the weather is good.”

Knudson added that pottery has helped her relax.

“It’s nice because our instructor leaves his classroom open,” Knudson said. “So we can go in whenever we want and work on projects. Sometimes, when I’m stressed out, or having a hard time, I’ll go in and do that. After a match, it’s really nice to take the stress off that way.”

Knudson, a nursing major, is undecided on her future plans.

“I’d really like to play on, but am not sure where yet,” Knudson said. “I’m planning on going into a nursing program, and it’s kind of difficult to do both at the same time. So if I play on, I’d have to push that off a couple of years. But if I don’t continue playing, I’ll go right into that. Nursing just fascinates me. The human body is just so fascinating. I love taking anatomy and physiology classes, which is the functions of the body. I just find that stuff really interesting. Every time I’d get an injury, it kind of sparked my interest to see what it was.”

NIC (27-3) opens the Northwest Athletic Conference tournament today against Tacoma at The Greater Tacoma Convention Center at 4:30 p.m.

NIC has won 14 straight matches entering the tournament, with its last loss on Sept. 14 in a tournament against Spokane.

“Spokane is going to be one of the top teams as well,” Stanley said. “Pierce, they’ll be a tough team to beat and have three Division I-caliber players. Treasure Valley, even though we’ve beaten them twice, has the capability of doing very well in the tournament. We haven’t seen a lot of these teams, or really know what to expect. The team this year does so well at adjusting to the style of the other team. We’ve still got to take care of our side, but this group, they already made those adjustments before Robin or I have to say anything to them. They’re a very calm and collected team. We’re excited to get started.”

“It’s crazy,” Knudson said. “From the first meeting, we just clicked together and got along really well. We each bring a certain skill to the teams. Some teams, it doesn’t work out that well, but each of us are individually talented and all bring it together and make it blend really well.”

In Knudson’s freshman year at NIC, the Cardinals went 2-2 in the tournament.

“We all play for each other,” Knudson said. “Nobody really wants to spotlight on them. We’re playing for each other, going out, and just doing our best for each other.”

This year, NIC swept through the East Region, handing defending champion Spokane its only two losses.

“We’ve got outstanding athletes and have had that each year,” said Stanley, in her fifth season as NIC coach. “The difference between this team and those in the past is they get along so well. They’re the nicest girls, love each other on the court, and I truly, truly believe that’s been the key this year. When it comes to chemistry, this team has it. They’re laughing before and after practice. They compete hard and get after it, and it’s refreshing for Robin and I, and makes it more fun that way. I don’t want it to end. They’re all great kids and have a special part in our heart. We want to recruit kids that want to be here, are athletic, kind and supportive. Now we’ve got that, and are going to build off of that.”

Knudson added that there’s not much extra pressure playing in her hometown.

“I enjoy it,” Knudson said. “It’s nice to be a local, but I’m definitely a little more nervous because my previous coaches are going to see what I’ve been doing. I feel like they would have anyway, even if I moved away. A lot of them have came to matches and told me they’d never thought they’d have me on the right side.”

But playing at NIC has improved her, both on and off the court, Knudson said.

“It’s definitely changed my life for the better,” Knudson said. “It’s made me more comfortable in my surroundings. I’ve met a lot of great people playing here, and some of my best friends are on the team. I love the coaches and being here helped choose nursing. Coming here, I really wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but have really enjoyed it here. My self confidence has definitely gone up. I used to be critical of myself, but Kelsey and Robin have really helped me with that a lot. They’ve really helped with my confidence because I used to get so frustrated, I’d just bottle it up and shut down and wouldn’t play well after that.”

NIC beat Tacoma 2-1 in the season-opening NWAC friendlies in Springfield, Ore.

“It’s definitely a lot of pressure because teams are going to want to knock us off right way,” Knudson. “They’re going to be playing with nothing to lose. I like playing under pressure, and put more out on the court when there’s more pressure on me.”

“She’s one of our leaders this year, and leads by example with how she plays,” Stanley said. “It’s fun to watch her. She might have a game where she’s a little off in the front row, but she’s stellar in the back and digging everything up for us. There’s games where she struggled in the back row, but put the ball down in the front. But when we need a point, she’s someone we can do to and know she’ll perform for us.”