Excellent leader ... has worked extremely hard every year ... fully committed to the program and will do anything to have a positive impact on the team ... always the first person to show up and the last to leave.

Valerie Kikkert

2007 (junior): Earned playing time in 13 of the team's 21 games and logged 131 minutes on the field . . . played a key role in Samford's defense that finished the season with an Ohio Valley Conference-best 0.73 goals-against average . . . attempted three shots on the season and scored a key goal in the Bulldogs' lopsided 4-0 victory against in-state rival Jacksonville State (Oct. 5) . . . logged a season-high 27 minutes of playing time versus Belmont (Nov. 3) . . . named the sports editor of Samford's campus newspaper "The Crimson" . . . earned her third varsity letter.

2006 (sophomore): Saw action in 12 of the Bulldogs' 18 matches and finished ninth on the team in points (3) . . . played a significant role in the team's defensive scheme and helped Samford earn the OVC's top ranking in goals-against average (0.73) . . . scored an unassisted goal in the Bulldogs' non-conference matchup versus 20th-ranked Auburn (Sept. 15) . . . registered an assist in Samford's 2-0 victory against Tennessee Tech (Sept. 22) . . . logged a season-high 67 minutes of game action versus Austin Peay (Sept. 24) . . . named to the Athletic Department's prestigious Dean's List for having a GPA of at least 3.5 . . . earned her second varsity letter.

Valerie Kikkert

2005 (freshman): Earned playing time in all 23 matches as a true freshman . . . cracked the starting lineup against OVC-foes Morehead State (Sept. 25) and Jacksonville State (Sept. 30) . . . finished with a pair of assists on the season, setting up goals versus Jacksonville State (Sept. 30) and Southeast Missouri (Oct. 16) . . . attempted four shots, two of them on goal . . . played a key role in the Bulldogs' defense that finished the season ranked first in the OVC in both goals-against average (0.54) and shutouts (12) . . . earned her first varsity letter.

High School: Member of the GSA '87 Phoenix Red club team that finished second in Georgia in consecutive seasons (2003 and 2004) . . . served as a captain on her club team that plays in the Region III Premier League . . . member of the Georgia Olympic Developmental Program and attended the region camp following each of the previous two seasons . . . competed at North Springs High School, where she was a four-year letterwinner . . . named a team captain in both her junior and senior seasons and started every game of her high school career . . . was the leading scorer at NSHS every season and was awarded with the Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2005 . . . received the 2005 Coaches Award . . . earned the National Student Athlete Day Award in 2003 and 2005 . . . named the 2005 Coca-Cola Scholar Athlete . . . played on the GSA club team with former Samford teammates Sara Geiger, Rebecca Mock and Sharon Young . . . also lettered in cross-country at NSHS . . . earned the Principal's Leadership Award, the PTSA Student Leader Award and was the prom queen.

Personal: Born on July 18, 1987 . . . daughter of Larry and Pam Kikkert . . . prefers to go by Val . . . majoring in journalism/mass communication.

Valerie Kikkert

ONE-ON-ONE WITH KIKKERT
I can't imagine going a week without: taking a shower
I have to admit, I am really good at: talking too much
My most prized possession is: my camera
Favorite food: yogurt, cereal and banana all mixed together
Favorite TV show: "The Office"

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

My favorite Samford memory is:
Being the most outgoing/obnoxious/loud freshman class in Samford soccer history and continuing to build the relationships with these girls, each year growing deeper in our friendships than in the year before. During our freshman year we had so many talks from the coaches and seniors on "maturity" and being "respectful" to the upperclassmen . . . while I know we were annoying and probably out-of-line, we were having the time of our lives. I'll say we have matured some over the past four years, though we're not ashamed to replay some of our "freshmen traditions"!

The one thing I'll miss the most about Samford soccer is:
The aspect of being a part of a team and a part of something bigger than myself. There is nothing like being with a group of girls who share similar interests and passions on a daily basis, and being able to build relationships with these girls. I also love the competitive nature of Samford soccer and the opportunity I've had to work toward a goal with a team who is able to exceed any expectations set.

The most important thing I can tell incoming freshmen is:
There's more to life than soccer. At the end of the day, it doesn't matter how much playing time you got, whether or not you played "the game of your life," or how much you think you impressed or disappointed the coaches. What matters is how you handle your situation, regardless of what your teammate next to you did or where she stands on the team. You have an experience and story already written out for you - you just have to walk in it and give all you've got in every situation you're placed in. Realize that soccer is a part of your life that is molding who you are and who you will be in the future, but it does not define you. Make the most of your time with the team, and don't take a single moment for granted.