One of the hardest workers on the team . . . extremely committed to her fitness and her technical skills . . . very good player on the ball . . . possesses a great positive attitude and always gives 100 percent.

Valerie Kikkert

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 Ohio Valley Conference'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.

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 with a minor in business.

ONE-ON-ONE WITH KIKKERT
Strangest nickname: Valladega
I have to admit, I am really good at: organizing
Favorite place to eat: Whole Foods
Favorite movie: Déjà Vu
Favorite food: grilled salmon sushi