Sports

Jordan hits the mark

player profile

By Matthew Williams

Posted on Nov. 18, 2004, at 12:00 a.m.

Junior Kaili Jordan has enjoyed an incredibly successful season with the University of Maine volleyball team. The Black Bears finished the regular season with the best record in program history and will play in the America East Championship this weekend in Albany. Jordan is one of four players to see action in all of UMaine’s games this season and lead the team with 350 kills.

“This year’s been a lot of fun,” said Jordan. “Coach Theehs changed our offense, and while we have the same positions as last year, there’s a lot more freedom in what we can do.”

Jordan is from Raymore, Saskatchewan, and started playing volleyball at a young age.

“My family’s really into sports. My mom coaches volleyball at my high school and she played in college, and I have an aunt that was All-Canadian in college, so I’ve been around it my whole life. I played year-round for almost four years on different club teams, so I’ve had a lot of different coaches and perspectives on the game” said Jordan.

Jordan is an education major who has a 3.4 GPA and was twice named to the America East academic honor roll. She’s also been named a UMaine Scholar-Athlete.

“I’d like to teach back home, but I might stay here,” said Jordan. “One of the biggest benefits of teaching is that I could coach high school. Volleyball’s such a fun game. I don’t want to stop after next year. I watched the Canadian national team play last summer, and I think I’m at their level, so if I do go home that’s an option too.”

Like a lot of Canadian athletes, Jordan came to college in the United States because Canadian schools aren’t allowed to give athletic scholarships. She received offers from schools all over the country, but a recruiting trip to UMaine convinced her that this was the place she wanted to be.

“At first, I didn’t even know where Maine was,” said Jordan. “Coach Medley came to my house, so that told me she really cared about me as a recruit. I knew Leah Guidinger and we came here together. I loved the girls on the team, and this just seemed like a good fit.”

Jordan was named America East Player of the Week on Nov. 8 after leading the Black Bears to conference wins over Northeastern and Hartford. She had a double-double in both matches that weekend, recording 39 total kills and 24 total digs.

“I found out about it during a class I have in a computer lab. I knew I had a good week, but I’ve never gotten an award like that, so it was a total shock. I was real excited,” said Jordan.

Kaili Jordan

Outside Hitter

Class Junior

Hometown: Raymore, Saskatchewan

Major: Education

Accolades: America East Player of the Week, Nov. 8; America East academic honor roll, 2003, 2002; Maine Scholar-Athlete, 2002, 2003.

Favorite Food: Omelets

Favorite TV Show: “Friends”

Favorite Movie: “Mystery, Alaska”

Favorite Actor: Matthew Perry

Favorite Actress: Meg Ryan

Favorite Athlete: Steve Nash