Checking in with Tori Dilfer

Throughout the remainder of the 2020, we will check in with the players on the University of Louisville volleyball team as they complete their semesters online. This week we check in with junior setter,Tori Dilfer, who carries a 3.786 GPA in marketing.

Q: What are your thoughts on spring season being cancelled?
A: I'm really sad about it. It's super hard to see other student athletes be affected by this so harshly. I also am just upset that my team doesn't get to be together to prepare for our next season

Q: If you could say something to the basketball players/swimmers/indoor track athletes who do not get a senior season back and missed their championship what would it be?
A: I would just encourage them by saying that I'm here for them if they need anything as well as remind them that God is sovereign and as crazy as all this is, He has an amazing plan for each one of them and this is just another obstacle for them to overcome.

Q: What would you say to the spring sports who lost a whole season?
A: I would just tell them how sorry I am for them and that I can't imagine what they are feeling through this. I hope that they are all able to get a year of eligibility back because it's so unfair to them even though cancelling everything was the right thing to do.

Q: What are you doing with yourself during your free time?
A: I am spending a ton of time with my family and my dogs. I'm working really hard to stay on top of schoolwork to finish out the semester strong. My little sister and I are working out and peppering and setting together every day so that we don't lose our touch on the ball

Q: What did do for spring break?
A: I went to Fort Lauderdale with teammates and then went home to be with my family

Q: How are you continuing to stay in shape during this time?
A: I am doing some suggested workouts from our strength coach as well as using the Peloton app for yoga sessions and well as meditation and other fun and challenging workouts!

Q: Your impressions on the spring season up to this point?
A: I think we were having the best spring season possible up to this point. We all came back from winter break in shape and hadn't lost our touch on the ball, so it was super easy to jump back in as a team and get some really good work in. We pushed ourselves super hard in the weight room as well and made some big strides there. I am so sad that we didn't get to continue working together and I miss my team more than I thought possible. I'm super excited for when we do get to start training together again though!

Q: What will you miss most about being on campus?
A: I miss the comradery among the athletic department and seeing so many friendly faces every day. From going to Marshall to work out to TACE to eat and study, I just miss seeing everyone and staying connected with my teammates as well as friends on other teams.

Q: Have you and your teammates been keeping in contact through all of this and how?
A: We have all talked a ton actually! We do big group Facetime and Zoom team meetings with everyone and we are doing a fun quarantine group games online and sending teammates pictures of us doing homework, working out, eating healthy, watching film, etc. It's been super fun seeing how my teammates are getting creative and it's so encouraging that everyone is still taking care of their business with school and working out and stuff.

Q: Is there anything you would like to say to Card Nation?
A: I would just say thank you for continuing to support UofL and us student athletes through this. I know that many fans are probably super disappointed that they won't be able to go watch their favorite teams and athletes this spring but I know that every student athlete on every team at UofL is going to continue to work hard during this time so that we are ready for the next chance we all get to compete and will represent Card nation the best way we know how to- with a W!

Q: What is your favorite memory of this season?
A: My favorite memory from the 2019 season was beating Western Kentucky to advance to the Sweet 16 and then going on to upset No. 2 Texas to go to the Elite Eight. We had talked all season about one of our goals being going to the Sweet 16 and it made it so much sweeter because we got to play a Top 16 seed as well as someone we saw earlier in the season. Beating Texas and making program history just topped it all off and was the biggest testament to how relentless our team is and everything we worked to overcome throughout the season.

Q: What is your favorite memory as a Cardinal?
A: My favorite memory as a Cardinal is our locker room celebration after beating Texas. I remember coming down to the locker room and waiting for the coaches to be done with media so that we could spray them with our water bottles and all celebrate together. It was the coolest moment to be a part of because none of us had done what we had just done before so we were getting to experience it together for the first time. After we calmed down a little bit, Dan Meske told us to get our minds right because he and all the other coaches and support staff had been preparing for us to win that match all week so we had some preparing to do for the next night.

Q: Are you home or on campus?
A: I started painting even though I am artistically challenged but I've been watching Hart of Dixie with my family!

Q: How have people in your family been directly affected by the virus?
A: None, thankfully!

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