This page is no longer being updated and remains online for informational and historical purposes only. The information is accurate as of the last page update.
For questions about page contents, contact the Communications Division.
Volleyball player Karissa Ciliento ’14 (Mahwah, N.J.) talks about finding balance between her economics major and her creativity, Lafayette as a tight-knit community, and the importance of being a role model for her teammates.
Karissa Ciliento ’14, photo courtesy of Teddy Weiss
What do you plan on majoring in and why?
I plan on majoring in economics with a minor in film and media studies. I’d love to ultimately find a job where a balance between the business world and creativity and innovation are encouraged.
One class/professor that every Lafayette student should try to take is…
Drawing 101 with Professor Emil Lukas—not only is he knowledgeable in the sport of volleyball, he’s an amazing professor and truly cares about his students. His passion for the sport and art shines when he is coaching and teaching.
What is your favorite thing about being a student at Lafayette?
The tight-knit community that exists when you are a student at Lafayette and even once you graduate is something you can’t find at many other schools. I am proud to say I go to Lafayette College because of its academics, while still being able to play Division I volleyball.
Your team is very active on Twitter and Facebook. Who is the brain behind the LCVB social media operation?
Gina Morrone ’14 is the brains and beauty behind our new social media operation—I don’t know what we’d do without her.
How would you define your role on the team (on and off the court)?
I hope my energy and excitement is what helps motivate my team on and off the court. As a junior it is important to be someone the underclassmen can look up to, depend on, and trust—I want to be that role model to all my teammates, considering the upperclassmen in the past were always there for me.
What goals has the team set for 2012 and how does it plan on achieving those goals?
So far this preseason, we have focused a lot on everything we can do off the court to make ourselves more successful and stand apart from the other Division I volleyball teams, which are having double sessions, conditioning, and working hard in the weight room like us. We have met with a nutritionist, focused on the importance of sleep, worked closely with sports medicine in preventing injuries and soreness, and are making sure to always drink chocolate milk or a recovery shake after workouts.
Do you have any superstitions or pre-game rituals?
I do everything in 2’s, 4’s, or 8’s during the game—my serving routine, sips of water at timeouts, everything.
What is your favorite sport other than volleyball?
My favorite sport to play other than volleyball is basketball, but my favorite sport to watch is definitely baseball—I have grown up around it my whole life.
What television show have you seen every episode of?
Boy Meets World
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
New Zealand, definitely. I’m still deciding where I want to do an interim abroad this winter. Hopefully it will be Rome or Prague!
What song/artist/band/album is most likely to be playing on your iPod?
Amy Winehouse and Adele are my girls.
Team-Given Nickname: Katriss/Katniss/Karis
Favorite Movie: Up
Go-to Food Spot on College Hill: Giacomo’s
Words to Live By: “Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today”—Will Rogers
3 Comments
Karissa, we are very proud of your accomplishments, who you are, and who you are becoming. Hope you have a great season and continue to perservere. Finish well. Love yam Uncle Doug & Aunt Moira
What a terrific article. How come I am not surprised? You are a special young lady and we are proud of your accomplishments. Just an aside – Danielle, our granddaughter, went to Lafayette to see if she would like to go there next year. She is a senior at Randolph and coincidentally, it was recommended she visit St. Joes in PA and that is where she was today. I believe she included it in her top 3 schools. God bless you in all you do.
Luv ya, Aunt Fran and Uncle Jim
Comments are closed.