December 3, 2024 • 38 mins
So far on Serving Pancakes, we’ve highlighted American players coming home to play professional volleyball for the first time. Alternatively, there are 27 international athletes coming to the U.S. for professional volleyball, including German opposite Kimberly Drewniok. Kimberly has played professionally in Germany, Italy, France, Türkiye and Serbia. She’s won four domestic titles in her career, including the 2019 German Cup. A long-time member of the German National Team, she’s actually played in the state of Nebraska before – when the U.S. hosted a 2019 VNL pool in Lincoln – and is excited to launch League One Volleyball and be part of the community with LOVB Omaha. Kimberly discusses the decision to come to the U.S., her mom’s immense support and more with host Tiffany Oshinsky. Topics also include:
- Costco, drive-thrus and other American experiences
- Playing with Nebraska royalty
- Coach Suzie - Kimberly’s first female coach
- Kimberly growing up
- Germany’s volleyball pipeline
- Kimberly’s biggest supporter: Mom
- Deciding to come to LOVB
- Outreach to the next generation
- Kimberly off the court
- Writing history with LOVB
Follow Kimberly on Tiktok, Instagram and Facebook.
Host: Tiffany Oshinsky
Senior Producer: Anya Alvarez
Executive Producers: Carrie Stett, Tamara Deike, and Lindsay Hoffman
Theme Music: Pancakes by Eric W. Mast, Jr.
Sound Designer: Daniel Gonzalez
Serving Pancakes is an iHeart Women's Sports Production, in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
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Adidas Today. Hi, I'm Tiffany Oshinsky and this is serving
(00:42):
pancakes with League one Volleyball. The inaugural Love season is
just around the corner, so we're talking with some of
the amazing people in the league to introduce you to
the players on the court and coaches and others involved
off the court. Today's episode features an opposite hitter who
came all the way from Germany to play for Love
Omaha Kimberly. Kimberly was born in Balve, Germany and is
(01:03):
a two time German Cup MVP, German Super Cup MVP
and was a member of the German FIVB Volleyball Nations
League team. Along with her native Germany, Kimberly has also
played professionally in Italy, France, Turkey, and Serbia, and now
she's bringing her talents to Nebraska. Kimberly, Welcome to Serving Pancakes.
Thank you so much for being here.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Thank you so much for having me, And I'm really
excited to have to step with you.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
I'm so excited to have a chat with you. You're
our first international player that we've had on the podcast,
so I'm really excited because this is a whole new experience,
I feel like for you compared to the other girls
who you know, have been playing internationally this whole time
and finally gets to play in the States. So for you,
what's it been like so far here in the United States.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
So it's been good. I really like it. It's a
different culture, for sure. I've been here in Lincoln twenty
nineteen already once with the national team, but it was
just a week and we didn't experience so much from
the culture. So now being here in Omaha and being
present and interacting with the Americans here, it's like really
interesting and I had already like some funny incidents, but
(02:06):
I like it. I really do.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
What type of funny incidents.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
For instance, like little things like in the when we drive,
it's different here because the light in Europe is on
our side, so here is on the other side of
the intersection. So this is something I have to get
used to because yeah, if I stop here at the light,
it's not gonna end well definitely not so yeah, and
then I had like my first experience in Castle. We
(02:33):
don't have something like this. This is not normal for me.
I came with my little bag prepared because I thought
we're gonna buy normal in the normal grocery shop, and yeah,
I could fit my lemons and my avocado in it afterwards,
but I don't have this propersion. We don't have the
propersions that I have here in this shop, so that
was kind of funny. And yeah, like little things like
(02:55):
drive through everything. I mean, we had drives through to
McDonald's and you but that's it. But now you don't
even have to leave the car if you don't want it,
So that's kind of funny.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
We do like our drive throughs, I will say in
the winter time, because I live in New Jersey and
I've lived in like the Northeast. My whole life drive
throughs are so clutch.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Yeah, I can imagine also here starting to get caught now,
So yeah, I think this is something that I've easily
add up to.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
So what's been the biggest difference so far between playing
overseas and playing here in the US?
Speaker 2 (03:31):
So far, I would say we have a different schedule
for sure, that we practice usually I'm used to practicing
fitness and technical in the mornings, have the lunch break,
and then start again. So this is one of the
changes that we have that we have everything from like
nine to noon and then we are off. So I
actually have a life after wi boat, which is kind
(03:52):
of nice. Be able to do something off the court.
I really like it. And then just little things. Every
coach has a different philosophy, how they coach, how they
structure the practices, so this is something new that I
will adopt here now. I love to be in a
team where I have so many strong characters, and this
(04:13):
is something where I'm really looked forward to when the
opportunity care that I could play here in America, because
so far, I played nine years for the national team
of Germany, and so every time we played against the Americans,
there was always something special for me because on the
other side, I could always see the strong characters that
I really like, driven and like had this presence on
(04:34):
the court that I really admired. So being here now
in the States and seeing where it all comes from,
it's something really exciting for me, especially with Love I
League that interex with US players and seeing really like
where the roots are is something really nice to see.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
There's so many things that I want to talk to
you about from this answer, so I'm trying to figure
out what's the best way to approach this. So let's
start with the characters on the team, because I mean,
two of the players on Love O My are Justine
Wangarantis and Jordan Larson, who are royalty in Nebraska, basically,
especially Jordan, she's known as the governor. So what's it
like playing with them and just seeing the reception of
(05:13):
them in Nebraska?
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yes, this is awesome. This is also something different here,
like how highly they see their college teams and support
them is something I couldn't even imagine in the form
that it is. Like I remember a couple of weeks ago,
I went to the first game of Nebraska volleyball and
they were playing against the low level team and their division.
I was just learning about all of this, but the
(05:35):
gym was pegged and they were just supporting from the beginning,
So it was pretty cool. And to come back to
your questions about Jordan, Yeah, and just seeing Sujuran For me,
of course, it's just such an amazing opportunity to play
with somebody who already had it off and to see
her approach and practice and how her mindset is and
(05:55):
like her work ethic is something that I really love
to see and to learn from. And also it's just
you know, I mean, I already had the chance to
play with her in Germany. Actually we already played one
season together, so I was really excited to come here,
yes and play with her. And I was always so
impressed of how she approached practice and how she actually
(06:17):
performs on the court is something really nice. And to
be able to play with them on the court and
not just against each other on national team level, it's
something nice.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Who are some of the other characters on the team.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
For me, I mean, I'm really happy I have my
German buddy Annie Caesar with me. We played for the
national team together, and I know her for quite some years,
and so it's nice to be in a club season
together and enjoy the sport that we love. And then also,
for instance, LoVa Dakma always played against her, and I'm
really looking forward to play with her. I was set
(06:49):
up and there are different characters that I already saw,
but now I have the opportunity to get to know
them and see how they are as persons.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Yeah, so I'm a sees her because you play with
her on the German team. How long have you known her?
Does the friendship go back a while?
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Actually, she joined the national team last year and I
quit national team. We basically passed each other, but then
I came back because of injuries that the German team
faced and I wanted to support them to help them
to qualify for Olympics. So I come back and then
being like, but but the volleyboard world is small, and
especially in Germany, you know each other. And I played
(07:25):
with her best friend Pia Kesner for many years, so
I knew who Annie was for a long time.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
That's awesome. And then going to the coaching philosophy, you
were talking about how different coaches have different philosophies. What's
it like with coach Cuz, friends.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
So I never had a female coach before, and so
this is something really interesting to me. And I can
already see the differences because the way how she approaches us,
how she talks to us, is already you can see
the differences. And I really like she's really mindful and yeah,
paying attention to how she said things. And so I'm
(08:02):
interested how it would be when we start our games
and how it is like seeing her as a leader
and like taking our team through the league to the season.
So I'm really excited for that. And yeah, I like it,
like you said, like, I feel like we have always
an open space to say something, to give feedback. She's
a reception for that, and there's great character traits. I
(08:24):
love that.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Going back to the Nebraska football game that you got
to go to, So I saw that you guys, you
got to go on the field, didn't you.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Yes, Yes, it was amazing and it was and it
was Nebraska.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Wisconsin, which I know you're from Germany. I don't know
if you come to understand college football in America, but
college football is insane and Nebraska Wisconsin is a huge rivalry.
So I what was that experience like for you coming
from you know, Europe where football wasn't really that big
of a thing, and then like being in that atmosphere,
(08:57):
because I know the volleyball atmosphere, like you said, is crazy,
but for this new sport, like just experiencing it, what
was that like?
Speaker 2 (09:04):
It was amazing. I just love how I heard that. Also,
Nebraska fans are special, right, and I can see that
like every time it got proven it doesn't matter if
I give to a college team right here in Omaha
or going to Lincoln, like they're always fans and so
sincere and so joyful. It's really nice to see. And yeah,
being in the football stadium being it's been full, and
(09:27):
it was crazy to me because yeah, I thought like, okay,
I heard it's going to be full, but maybe we
can like look for a few seats a little bit lower,
you know, like to see but no chance. It was
like pegged and seeing like the student air where they're
all just scheeing and like having so much fun. It's
just great and another sign that sport can bring people
(09:49):
together in different levels and dimensions. So it's really cool
to see that and be part of it now, Yeah,
for sure.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Besides soccer, are there any other sports in Germany that
have this type of big reception like Nebraska has for
volleyball and football?
Speaker 2 (10:05):
I would say maybe handball, Oh it's pretty big in
certain cities, and basketball, but I don't know if they
ever fill ninety thousand, just like I doubt that I
would need to be such by a doubt that they ever. Besides,
like you said, soccer, I don't think that we hit
the numbers, but yet there's still space. But let's see.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Speaking of ninety thousand, you know that Nebraska played a
volleyball match in that stadium, right, Yes, I get goosebumps.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Yeah, just thinking about it, I get goosebumps. I really Yeah.
When we were there and I was like, oh, and
this is the spot, this is a place where they
wrote history and had this word record rate. It's just
great to see that and to be like on the
court and imagine, I can't wait for me already to
have the first home much here in Omaha. Like seeing
(10:58):
all of that, and now that college leagues ending and
so the fans to have a new team to support,
I can't wait for them to come to law.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
Oh sure, that's gonna be so exciting. Now I want
to go back. I want to talk kind of like
your origin story and growing up in Germany. Let's talk
(11:31):
about Balve first. What's the town like? What would you
say is kind of like a typical path for people
who are, you know, growing up there to kind of
pursue when when you're living in the town, because it's
kind of small, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Yeah, yes, it is a great question. I asked myself
many times, like what would I be? Where would I
be if I wouldn't be here for volleyball? And yeah,
by versus mercy. I grew up with only my mom
and we had many of them as we had how man,
these horses, dogs, cats, chickens, goats for a time like
(12:07):
I was a farm girl or one oh one, and
I loved it. I was just the nature. After kindergarten,
after school, we would always go out to nature and
spend time there together with the animals. And the normal
path would be probably to end school to work on
a job there locally, and yeah, maybe go to Turkey
(12:28):
for vacation during the summer time, but then come back,
like many people stay there all come back after they
studied and are close to family. So I'm really grateful
for the way that I grew up and had this
bubble and this like environment to be creative, to a
space to see a different paths, but also so grateful
(12:52):
for volleyball to give me the possibility to actually explore
the world, to discover different cultures, to connect with people
all over the world. And yeah, I'm be ungrateful for
this opportunity that Bolivar about me.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
So how did volleyball come into your life? How did
you find the love of the sport.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
It was to a friend of mine. She played volleyball,
and she asked me once if I just want to
join a practice of hers, and I was like, of course, sure,
why not. I always loved to explore different sports. Even
though I was riding the horses, I was also doing karate,
and I swim for a time and did some yeah
(13:28):
things outside of just this one pass. So when she
asked me, I said, of course I rejoin, and I
fell in love with a sport right away, Like because
even though I loved the way that I grew up,
there was always a little part of me as a
child who missed the sense of belonging because yeah, as
I said, I grew up in a small village. I
(13:49):
am half German but also half African, and so I
always looked different than everybody as because of my hair.
My friend is my height. I was already tall, and
so there was this part in me as child that
didn't want to stood out. I just wanted to be
like everybody else, you know, and there was nobody like
looking like me, and so it was sometimes a little
(14:09):
bit hard for me to see where I fit in.
And so when I joined the volleyball club at night
age nine, I had this first time, this feeling of
belonging because it didn't matter. And the gym, how we
look like, go where we come from. We had all
this the same goal. The ball can't drop on our
side and we want to get it over the it
and so I really loved it, and I felt like
(14:32):
volleyball gave me the space of like truly discovering who
I am and eventually realizing I don't have to be
somehow or fit in any boxes. I can just be me.
So I'm really grateful for the chance and the space
that volleyball gave me. That's why I fell in love
in the first place with volleyball and the community behind it.
I feel like growing up with only my mom and
(14:53):
my animals, volleyball gave me like an extended family that
I'm really grateful for. I'm still going back to my
hometown club so and practicing with them more like doing
something with their youth.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
I love that. How does the volleyball world work in Germany?
Like you know here in the States, it's like you
have youth clubs, you play in high school, you try
to get the college scholarship, and then if you want
to continue playing and can continue playing and go pro.
But how does it work in Germany? Are there youth
clubs like there are in the States, high school, secondary
(15:26):
school teams and stuff like that, Like, how does it work?
How do you eventually like continue to succeed and get
better and better.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
If you don't have the college system as you have here.
So we right away start with club volleyball. So when
I was nine, I joined my hometown club and then
eventually I would join the youth national team. I was
always lateing it. I got selected later on, but then
I joined the youth national team and then the coach
(15:51):
came to me and asked me if I want to
go to the boarding school Sports boarding School in Berlin,
which was like five and a half hours away from
where I grew up, because there they had this used program.
For instance, we were competing in the first league, like
right away in the professional league, but out of competition
it was really like the youth national team kind of
who would competing and gaining experience. So this was a
(16:15):
little bit my path. And then I graduated school and
I went right away into a professional club. So this
is something At one hand, I admire the program here
that you have like the college teams and you can
graduate high school and college and have the sports at
the secondary, but also such a high level still chance.
(16:35):
And then the only thing that was missing here that
we have is that you have the professional league right
after all, right, So now having love trying to do
that for these athletes so they are not forced to
leave overseas but can build their career. Also here is
something really amazing.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
How did playing for the German national team come about?
Speaker 2 (16:56):
So when I was playing in this used program that
I mentioned earlier, I think it was my second here
that I played there, and you have to imagine I
was playing my youth hometown club three times a week.
Then I went to boarding school and I was practicing
every day twice. Oh wow, So it was a big change. Yes,
it was a really big change, but I loved him.
(17:17):
I went there. To be honest, I didn't even think
about playing professional because I had no idea this professional
world exists, even though I was present. But as I
mentioned earlier, like when I wasn't in the gym, I
wasn't the nature with my horses and the animus, I didn't.
I had no idea this world exists. So when it
came there, I started to get to know like what
(17:37):
you can do with volleyball and what you can achieve.
And I will never forget the moment when I was
driving in a tram like a train in Berlin and
I got a call from my coach and he said like, KIMMI,
are you sitting. I was like no, He's like, hey,
maybe you want to sit because you just got invited
to the German national women national team. And this was
(18:00):
a huge thing for me because it was just one
year out of like my hometown and it was a
big step for me to leave my home because it
was hard for me at the beginning because I really
loved how I grew up in my environment there. But
I'm really happy that I had the coach back then
because I always had this mindset like okay, which vie
and if it doesn't work out, I can always come
(18:21):
back with this worst case scenario, I go to the
life back that I loved, but I really want to
see what this path can bring. And so yeah, this
was my first steps in the German national team and
then I played for the German national team almost ten
years from their on.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
Wow, since it was just you and your mom and
the animals at the time, what was your mom thinking
when you went off on this path.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Yeah, it was hard for her. It was really hard
for her. But I'm so grateful for her because she
never really showed it to me. She was always so
supportive and like in any way, just the other week,
we have this beautiful tradition here routine here in Love
of Omaha that you can see also that like Susie's
philosophy is a little bit different. So we have like
(19:07):
two days but per week where one player is sharing
something about their lives and what matters to them and
just seeing wrong asker's a question like who is the
most influential person in your career, and I answered, it's
my mom because at the end of the day, she
always supported me and always she was practicing, she was
(19:27):
driving me to practice her she didn't miss one tournament,
one game, like nothing. She was always by my side.
And so I think she's a big part like why
I had the coach also to leave because I knew
there's always this one person that has my back no
matter what. And so yeah, big shout o to my mom.
But also like in this moment, now that I'm older,
(19:48):
I realized like how hard it must have been for
her because I was her center of her life basically.
I mean she raised me on her own with all
the struggles that come with it, and then I left
in and now Wally, but have brought me all over
the world like I played, like you said at the
beginning in Italy friends Turkey, say, with the national team
(20:09):
the whole summer we would travel. So yeah, she's always
really grateful for every time that we can stand. But
I never feel like she's like holding me back in
any way. She's always supporting.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Your mom's a superhero for this. Yes, did she get
to did she get to visit you? In all the
different countries that you've played.
Speaker 2 (20:27):
Most of them, but unfortunately she's afraid of flying, so
Turkey she didn't come. And now the States is going
to be a little bar for her for a couple hours.
And I'm still working on it. I'm still working on it,
but because I know she would love all of that.
But yeah, she grew up also in the small village
(20:48):
and she went the path that you asked before, like
many of them. Heay, she didn't really leave too much
this area, just occasionally, but not so much Germany.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Yeah, hopefully she can make it out. Hopefully, Yes, I hope. Now,
out of all the countries that you've played in, do
you have any fond memories of one in particular, one
that you kind of like more than the other? Is
everything kind of has been a great experience.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
It's always hard to answer this question because money Also
young athletes ask me that I feel like every season
that I played, I learned something new for my life,
and I just love to be in different cultures and
see how they approach life and their way of thinking.
So I would say that every time, seriously, every time
(21:34):
and I had a new season, there was something that
I could take for my life afterwards. And then I
just love like in Italy they are so open and
like I love the culture of their food is amazing.
And then but this is Turkey has such a big
hospitality and they're really warm and were coming and I
(21:54):
really love to see that. And then volleyball wise, it's
just like playing and leaves like Turkey and Italy is
something really nice because every every game is such on
such a high level and that it helps you a
lot to improve as an athlete as well. So yeah, definitely.
But also Serbia had something to it, like seeing more
(22:15):
of the youth development there with something really nice. I
just explore and now I'm here and I'm excited to
see what I would have learned so much, but also
saying like what it comes leads that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
Yeah, there's also I mean, there's a lot of international
players who are going to be playing in League One,
so I feel, you know, not just the women who
are from the States playing in the States for the
first time, but you guys get to experience what it's
like in the States too. Actually, one of the League
one players on a pogony is also from Germany, and
you played with her on the German national team. Correct.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Yes, the I played almost the whole nine years that
I've been there, I played with her.
Speaker 1 (22:53):
Did you guys kind of talk about coming to the
States together or was it something that you just both
ended up deciding to do on your own and A
were like, oh my gosh, I'm going to be playing
for this league too.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah, it's a letter. So we both like ended up
and individually for that. Because at the beginning, when I
signed the Clove, I didn't really communicate it with anybody.
So I think that's something that all of us like
had to do at the beginning, because there was like
this thing of like showing like who will be at
the part of that, So I was like, okay, I
(23:23):
don't chain. And then just because I love like the
marketing and all of this, how they're building up this
tension and I which think it's something really cool. So yeah,
I didn't really talk about that. But then when I
saw it was nice to see that there's another German
so we have Fena, so that's awesome. Four actually four
Jennifer is also here there.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
You are you excited to be playing against them?
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Yes, it's always fun to play against friends. I love them.
It's always it doesn't matter if the German or other
friends that I have. I'm I love that little teasing.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
Other than that way you're English, it's phenomenal. When did
you learn English?
Speaker 2 (24:04):
Thank you? And you have it in school in Germany? Okay,
But to be honest, I didn't really like speak when
I was in school, and more so came with playing
professional and like playing and teams were also honest, and
I was always I love to connect with people, so
I wanted to learn English. I can connect with most
(24:24):
of them on a deeper level. So I actually started
speaking when I played more professional.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
That's very cool. Do you speak other languages too, Yes, a.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Little bit of French and Italian. Like every time when
I went to a league and I was a little longer,
I tried to learn the language that I understand a
little bit, like locker room talks and some practices when
their language is so yeah, I tried to learn wherever
I go a little bit.
Speaker 1 (24:49):
That's awesome. Now, because of volleyball, you've had the opportunity
to kind of grow as a person and as a player.
You kind of talked about how important the sport was
for you, you know, growing up in learning who you
are as a person. But when you decide to finally
hang up your kneepads, do you see yourself continuing in
this sport and trying to give back to the youth
(25:11):
or do you think that you're going to try to
do something else in life. What's your thoughts on with
what volleyball gave you passing it on to the next generation.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
This is actually my vision and so last year and
I was thinking, Okay, where do I want to play
in the next year. I was actually more tended to
go and play somewhere in Asia, but then I got
contacted from Love and I heard the presentation and their
mission and their vision behind it, and there was no
doubt I had to say yes because the vision that
(25:43):
they have or the youth programs and seeing us as
like humans not just plays, is exactly what I learned
over the last years that I want to pass on
to the next generation as well, and knowing that I'm
playing for a league who has the same visions as
I have for something really incredible. So yeah, Really, for
me personally, it's really important to give back to the
(26:06):
volleyball community because volleyball had brought so much into my
life as you learn now and like for me, like
giving it back to maybe just one child out there,
providing access through like the nonprofit organization that I joined
two years ago, or just here, like being connected to
use and maybe giving them this one advice that change
(26:30):
something in their life. Is something that I really love
to do. And so my version is also to do
this next to sport. And if I decide to stop
playing actively, I think volleyball will have me forever in
some way. I really love to maybe do cams and
to yeah provide something not just the volleyball tools, but
(26:52):
also the tools volleyball taught me for my life that
I can use afterwards. So I really like love to
do something more and active in the community also after volleyball,
when I have even more time for that.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
We talked about how love kind of pitched you to
come to the United States and be part of this,
But I know the season officially hasn't started yet and
you're still kind of in preseason, But how are we
doing so far?
Speaker 2 (27:20):
I love it. They definitely do things different than other leagues.
I mean, we already had so many community activities and
engagements and I really loved all of them. It's just yeah,
connecting with US players on all different levels, like being
here also US space that I've like come maybe off
(27:42):
underprivileged areas, and just interacting with them, being present and
spelling the joy of volleyball. It always shows me that
you don't need much and sport is so powerful and
can connect people. Be the old language even even though okay,
we can communicate here, but still like something more powerful
behind it and through law on the activities that they
(28:06):
do and make us do something that is really nice.
And I'm looking forward to more of that.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
One of the things I love about this podcast is
that I get to know you ladies, not just as players,
but as people as well. So I want to ask
you a few questions that are kind of more off
the court to get to know you a little bit better.
I know that you said you love animals because you
grew up with animals, but you know here in the
States now you also have your schedule from nine to
twelve and you can have a life after. So what
(28:49):
is what's Kimberly's life off the court? What do you
like to do when you're not playing volleyball.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Right now, I love to work on like certain projects
that I have that I would love to develop. The summertime,
as I mentioned before, I joined like a global volleyball
foundation Let's keep the word flying two years ago and
during the summertime we traveled. I had a way two
destinations that we traveled at the first year, I went
(29:16):
to Bali, this a smaller group, and then last year,
like this past summer, we went to the Philippines with
a big group and we just bring a volleyball to
underprivileged areas, bringing access to it, like it comes from
to gear, to knowledge, just spending time, spending time together.
So this is something that I would love to prepare
myself already for the last next summer, we have the
(29:39):
destination Africa. I'm really excited for that because then I
will have the opportunity to also go back to my
boots because I haven't been in Africa so far, even
though half of my family is African. So this is
something I'm really looking forward to and I want to
give back. So I'm trying to work on something how
I maybe can make this possible with help of that organization,
(30:00):
but also like maybe through our own income and like
seeing what I can provide there. So I'm working on
these things mostly in a coffee shop, having my match
and just yeah, trying to build his concept and finding
right partners here in Omaha, in America, but also overseas
that maybe have a similar vision to support this mission.
(30:26):
And I love to listen to different podcasts to always
work on my mindset and because I just learned over
the years how important it is as high as you play,
to have like a great mental tool kit of tourists
that help you to overcome certain hurdles so that you
can always perform on your best. So I love to
(30:48):
do this in my free time as well, and then
just spend time with friends and FaceTime, my home, my
little sister, and having my mee time sometimes to balance
at all of that.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
Both you and your mom are super women. My goodness,
thank you well. Speaking of your little sister, tell me
about her. How old is she? Does she play volleyball?
Speaker 2 (31:13):
She does not, She's eleven now. She's more in like
singing and dancing and meeting friends a period right now.
But I love that. I don't think that she has
to play like volleyball as I did. I was the
first of my family and so she's yeah, more so
(31:33):
connected those with animals. She has two dogs, so she's
growing up. But we have we share the same father,
but not the same mother, so she's my half sister.
But yeah, she's gorgeous. I just love her so much
and it's so grateful to have her in my life.
And I love spending time with her because then you
have a different perspective, like things that maybe like bug
(31:55):
you because of practice or anything, just like vanished when
you're spending time with the younger woman. I feel like
every time and I have like a summer vocation with
her since four years, I try to at least take
her for one sister vacation for a week somewhere, and
every time it's just nice to see her grow into
this great like great woman, and especially in this age,
(32:17):
like seeing the different character traits that come out slowly,
it's like really nice to see that.
Speaker 1 (32:23):
Well, now that you're here in Nebraska, what are some
things you're looking forward to do? Are there any foods
or anything like that that you really want to try?
Speaker 2 (32:32):
I did try already the cauliflower cross pizza. I must
say it's pretty good if we don't have that in
our Europe, So there was something I already discovered but
in general looking forward to like the culture here. As
I say, like, I know that Nebraska fans are different.
There's a slogan right like there's no place like Nebraska.
I heard about that. I'm yeah, I'm curious to see
(32:54):
how this will be when we play and being like
our own home quowd. Really looking forward to that and
looking forward to starting the games and yeah, going with
the fans against the teams here and just competing on
such a high level.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
Another thing I wanted to talk to you that you
didn't mention as like something you do on the side,
but you like to model, correct.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
Ah, yes I do sometimes I like to do Yes,
I like to do that too.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
I mean you're gorgeous, right, you have an awesome, unique,
gorgeous look. So I feel like the modeling makes total
sense for you. But how how important is modeling? Like
what made you want to do it and why do
you like to do it?
Speaker 2 (33:32):
And it was just a fun way for me to
express myself like off the court and different like race,
not just in like I was sportski or right, because
most of the times you're gonna where I was vetas
and hoodies right and spandic So having like the space
to wear something different and like going in different roles
with something really nice. And it was at the beginning
(33:55):
more so challenge for me because when I was younger,
I was a little shy and I was as happy
with my appearance as I said earlier, because I always
wanted to look like everybody else. But now knowing that
I want to embrace how I am and that how
I look model gave me this opportunity to go out
of my comfort zone and feel comfortable with the way
(34:17):
I am and help I look. So yeah, it was
more this little challenge part and then accepting me. But
I love to do it, Like I'm not like actively
like looking for that, but whenever he and omaha, somebody
is sat there who likes to do photos with me
to reach out, I have time in the afternoons. Yeah,
(34:39):
so it's more like hob fun hobby. If the opportunity comes,
I like to take it. I tried it though during
the summer. I did works with some agencies, but then
every time and an offer come in, it was like
a practice or term and I was like, okay, sorry,
I can't do it. So maybe after my this is
(35:00):
something that I can pursue a little bit more serious.
Let's see my father did it? Oh wow, he was
a model as well, and like so maybe he came
also from there a little bit this influenced.
Speaker 1 (35:11):
Oh, that's amazing. Does he live in Germany too, Yes.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
He grew up in Germany. He came to Germany when
he was nine years old. And so most of my
Africa and family actually lives in Germany as well.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (35:24):
So yeah, I'm really close to them now. I really
loved all of them. I just yes that I found
a video of like a recap of my phone and
it's just like, yeah, we have a great family and
I'm really really grateful for that. So, yeah, he lives
in Germany. We reconnected a couple of years ago. Who
was not really present when I grew up, but now
(35:44):
he's more part of my life and I'm happy for
that as well, because yeah, there's certain it's interesting, there's
certain connections and like similarities that yeah, definitely proved that
genetic is real. So yeah, I'm excited to see where
it gets us.
Speaker 1 (36:02):
Oh that's so great. Very happy for you that you
have been able to reconnect and have a great relationship.
Speaker 2 (36:07):
Now, thank you.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
We're gonna end the interview on one last question, which
I like to ask everybody when we're doing this podcast,
and with this being the inaugural season of Love, what
are you hoping to showcase when you play? What are
you hoping the league showcases? What are you hoping that
people see when they watch Love.
Speaker 2 (36:24):
I'm just so excited to be part of Love. I
think they are creating something so meaningful because they don't
just see us as players and performers, but the human
beings that we are. And as I said, like joining
Love and knowing that I'm playing for a league that
has similar visions and missions as I have individually is
(36:48):
something so powerful, and I think, and I know sport
has such a great impact on people's life, and especially
for women, having the possibility to combine who are off
the core but also like pursuing a family life and
growing for something greater, but also still being able to
play the sport as Love is a pioneer right now
(37:10):
is something really precious and I'm so happy to be
a part of that, and I can't wait to see
them succeed because I really believe in this mission and
I think that, yeah, that being the pioneer of that,
other leagues will have to follow at one point, So
I'm really excited to be here with love and writing history.
Speaker 1 (37:32):
I love that so much. Well, Kim, really, it's been
a pleasure speaking with you. Thank you so much and
best of love this season.
Speaker 2 (37:39):
Thank you to you for having me.
Speaker 1 (37:42):
Serving Pancakes is an iheartwomen's sports production in partnership with
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts.
Production by League One Volleyball, I'm your host, Tiffany Oshinsky.
Anya Alvarez is our senior pretty. Our executive producers are
(38:02):
Carrie Stett, Tamaradike, and Lindsay Hoffman. Our marketing lead is
Jawara Parker. Sound editing and mixing by Daniel Gonzalez. Our
theme music is Pancakes by Eric W. Mast Junior Special
thanks to Kimberly Derema. Stay tuned for another episode of
Serving Pancakes. Thanks for listening.
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Adidas Today. Hi, I'm Tiffany Oshinsky and this is serving
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pancakes with League one Volleyball. The inaugural Love season is
just around the corner, so we're talking with some of
the amazing people in the league to introduce you to
the players on the court and coaches and others involved
off the court. Today's episode features an opposite hitter who
came all the way from Germany to play for Love
Omaha Kimberly. Kimberly was born in Balve, Germany and is
(01:03):
a two time German Cup MVP, German Super Cup MVP
and was a member of the German FIVB Volleyball Nations
League team. Along with her native Germany, Kimberly has also
played professionally in Italy, France, Turkey, and Serbia, and now
she's bringing her talents to Nebraska. Kimberly, Welcome to Serving Pancakes.
Thank you so much for being here.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
Thank you so much for having me, And I'm really
excited to have to step with you.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
I'm so excited to have a chat with you. You're
our first international player that we've had on the podcast,
so I'm really excited because this is a whole new experience,
I feel like for you compared to the other girls
who you know, have been playing internationally this whole time
and finally gets to play in the States. So for you,
what's it been like so far here in the United States.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
So it's been good. I really like it. It's a
different culture, for sure. I've been here in Lincoln twenty
nineteen already once with the national team, but it was
just a week and we didn't experience so much from
the culture. So now being here in Omaha and being
present and interacting with the Americans here, it's like really
interesting and I had already like some funny incidents, but
(02:06):
I like it. I really do.
Speaker 1 (02:07):
What type of funny incidents.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
For instance, like little things like in the when we drive,
it's different here because the light in Europe is on
our side, so here is on the other side of
the intersection. So this is something I have to get
used to because yeah, if I stop here at the light,
it's not gonna end well definitely not so yeah, and
then I had like my first experience in Castle. We
(02:33):
don't have something like this. This is not normal for me.
I came with my little bag prepared because I thought
we're gonna buy normal in the normal grocery shop, and yeah,
I could fit my lemons and my avocado in it afterwards,
but I don't have this propersion. We don't have the
propersions that I have here in this shop, so that
was kind of funny. And yeah, like little things like
(02:55):
drive through everything. I mean, we had drives through to
McDonald's and you but that's it. But now you don't
even have to leave the car if you don't want it,
So that's kind of funny.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
We do like our drive throughs, I will say in
the winter time, because I live in New Jersey and
I've lived in like the Northeast. My whole life drive
throughs are so clutch.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Yeah, I can imagine also here starting to get caught now,
So yeah, I think this is something that I've easily
add up to.
Speaker 1 (03:24):
So what's been the biggest difference so far between playing
overseas and playing here in the US?
Speaker 2 (03:31):
So far, I would say we have a different schedule
for sure, that we practice usually I'm used to practicing
fitness and technical in the mornings, have the lunch break,
and then start again. So this is one of the
changes that we have that we have everything from like
nine to noon and then we are off. So I
actually have a life after wi boat, which is kind
(03:52):
of nice. Be able to do something off the court.
I really like it. And then just little things. Every
coach has a different philosophy, how they coach, how they
structure the practices, so this is something new that I
will adopt here now. I love to be in a
team where I have so many strong characters, and this
(04:13):
is something where I'm really looked forward to when the
opportunity care that I could play here in America, because
so far, I played nine years for the national team
of Germany, and so every time we played against the Americans,
there was always something special for me because on the
other side, I could always see the strong characters that
I really like, driven and like had this presence on
(04:34):
the court that I really admired. So being here now
in the States and seeing where it all comes from,
it's something really exciting for me, especially with Love I
League that interex with US players and seeing really like
where the roots are is something really nice to see.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
There's so many things that I want to talk to
you about from this answer, so I'm trying to figure
out what's the best way to approach this. So let's
start with the characters on the team, because I mean,
two of the players on Love O My are Justine
Wangarantis and Jordan Larson, who are royalty in Nebraska, basically,
especially Jordan, she's known as the governor. So what's it
like playing with them and just seeing the reception of
(05:13):
them in Nebraska?
Speaker 2 (05:14):
Yes, this is awesome. This is also something different here,
like how highly they see their college teams and support
them is something I couldn't even imagine in the form
that it is. Like I remember a couple of weeks ago,
I went to the first game of Nebraska volleyball and
they were playing against the low level team and their division.
I was just learning about all of this, but the
(05:35):
gym was pegged and they were just supporting from the beginning,
So it was pretty cool. And to come back to
your questions about Jordan, Yeah, and just seeing Sujuran For me,
of course, it's just such an amazing opportunity to play
with somebody who already had it off and to see
her approach and practice and how her mindset is and
(05:55):
like her work ethic is something that I really love
to see and to learn from. And also it's just
you know, I mean, I already had the chance to
play with her in Germany. Actually we already played one
season together, so I was really excited to come here,
yes and play with her. And I was always so
impressed of how she approached practice and how she actually
(06:17):
performs on the court is something really nice. And to
be able to play with them on the court and
not just against each other on national team level, it's
something nice.
Speaker 1 (06:25):
Who are some of the other characters on the team.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
For me, I mean, I'm really happy I have my
German buddy Annie Caesar with me. We played for the
national team together, and I know her for quite some years,
and so it's nice to be in a club season
together and enjoy the sport that we love. And then also,
for instance, LoVa Dakma always played against her, and I'm
really looking forward to play with her. I was set
(06:49):
up and there are different characters that I already saw,
but now I have the opportunity to get to know
them and see how they are as persons.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Yeah, so I'm a sees her because you play with
her on the German team. How long have you known her?
Does the friendship go back a while?
Speaker 2 (07:04):
Actually, she joined the national team last year and I
quit national team. We basically passed each other, but then
I came back because of injuries that the German team
faced and I wanted to support them to help them
to qualify for Olympics. So I come back and then
being like, but but the volleyboard world is small, and
especially in Germany, you know each other. And I played
(07:25):
with her best friend Pia Kesner for many years, so
I knew who Annie was for a long time.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
That's awesome. And then going to the coaching philosophy, you
were talking about how different coaches have different philosophies. What's
it like with coach Cuz, friends.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
So I never had a female coach before, and so
this is something really interesting to me. And I can
already see the differences because the way how she approaches us,
how she talks to us, is already you can see
the differences. And I really like she's really mindful and yeah,
paying attention to how she said things. And so I'm
(08:02):
interested how it would be when we start our games
and how it is like seeing her as a leader
and like taking our team through the league to the season.
So I'm really excited for that. And yeah, I like it,
like you said, like, I feel like we have always
an open space to say something, to give feedback. She's
a reception for that, and there's great character traits. I
(08:24):
love that.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Going back to the Nebraska football game that you got
to go to, So I saw that you guys, you
got to go on the field, didn't you.
Speaker 2 (08:33):
Yes, Yes, it was amazing and it was and it
was Nebraska.
Speaker 1 (08:36):
Wisconsin, which I know you're from Germany. I don't know
if you come to understand college football in America, but
college football is insane and Nebraska Wisconsin is a huge rivalry.
So I what was that experience like for you coming
from you know, Europe where football wasn't really that big
of a thing, and then like being in that atmosphere,
(08:57):
because I know the volleyball atmosphere, like you said, is crazy,
but for this new sport, like just experiencing it, what
was that like?
Speaker 2 (09:04):
It was amazing. I just love how I heard that. Also,
Nebraska fans are special, right, and I can see that
like every time it got proven it doesn't matter if
I give to a college team right here in Omaha
or going to Lincoln, like they're always fans and so
sincere and so joyful. It's really nice to see. And yeah,
being in the football stadium being it's been full, and
(09:27):
it was crazy to me because yeah, I thought like, okay,
I heard it's going to be full, but maybe we
can like look for a few seats a little bit lower,
you know, like to see but no chance. It was
like pegged and seeing like the student air where they're
all just scheeing and like having so much fun. It's
just great and another sign that sport can bring people
(09:49):
together in different levels and dimensions. So it's really cool
to see that and be part of it now, Yeah,
for sure.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Besides soccer, are there any other sports in Germany that
have this type of big reception like Nebraska has for
volleyball and football?
Speaker 2 (10:05):
I would say maybe handball, Oh it's pretty big in
certain cities, and basketball, but I don't know if they
ever fill ninety thousand, just like I doubt that I
would need to be such by a doubt that they ever. Besides,
like you said, soccer, I don't think that we hit
the numbers, but yet there's still space. But let's see.
Speaker 1 (10:29):
Speaking of ninety thousand, you know that Nebraska played a
volleyball match in that stadium, right, Yes, I get goosebumps.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Yeah, just thinking about it, I get goosebumps. I really Yeah.
When we were there and I was like, oh, and
this is the spot, this is a place where they
wrote history and had this word record rate. It's just
great to see that and to be like on the
court and imagine, I can't wait for me already to
have the first home much here in Omaha. Like seeing
(10:58):
all of that, and now that college leagues ending and
so the fans to have a new team to support,
I can't wait for them to come to law.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
Oh sure, that's gonna be so exciting. Now I want
to go back. I want to talk kind of like
your origin story and growing up in Germany. Let's talk
(11:31):
about Balve first. What's the town like? What would you
say is kind of like a typical path for people
who are, you know, growing up there to kind of
pursue when when you're living in the town, because it's
kind of small, isn't it.
Speaker 2 (11:44):
Yeah, yes, it is a great question. I asked myself
many times, like what would I be? Where would I
be if I wouldn't be here for volleyball? And yeah,
by versus mercy. I grew up with only my mom
and we had many of them as we had how man,
these horses, dogs, cats, chickens, goats for a time like
(12:07):
I was a farm girl or one oh one, and
I loved it. I was just the nature. After kindergarten,
after school, we would always go out to nature and
spend time there together with the animals. And the normal
path would be probably to end school to work on
a job there locally, and yeah, maybe go to Turkey
(12:28):
for vacation during the summer time, but then come back,
like many people stay there all come back after they
studied and are close to family. So I'm really grateful
for the way that I grew up and had this
bubble and this like environment to be creative, to a
space to see a different paths, but also so grateful
(12:52):
for volleyball to give me the possibility to actually explore
the world, to discover different cultures, to connect with people
all over the world. And yeah, I'm be ungrateful for
this opportunity that Bolivar about me.
Speaker 1 (13:03):
So how did volleyball come into your life? How did
you find the love of the sport.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
It was to a friend of mine. She played volleyball,
and she asked me once if I just want to
join a practice of hers, and I was like, of course, sure,
why not. I always loved to explore different sports. Even
though I was riding the horses, I was also doing karate,
and I swim for a time and did some yeah
(13:28):
things outside of just this one pass. So when she
asked me, I said, of course I rejoin, and I
fell in love with a sport right away, Like because
even though I loved the way that I grew up,
there was always a little part of me as a
child who missed the sense of belonging because yeah, as
I said, I grew up in a small village. I
(13:49):
am half German but also half African, and so I
always looked different than everybody as because of my hair.
My friend is my height. I was already tall, and
so there was this part in me as child that
didn't want to stood out. I just wanted to be
like everybody else, you know, and there was nobody like
looking like me, and so it was sometimes a little
(14:09):
bit hard for me to see where I fit in.
And so when I joined the volleyball club at night
age nine, I had this first time, this feeling of
belonging because it didn't matter. And the gym, how we
look like, go where we come from. We had all
this the same goal. The ball can't drop on our
side and we want to get it over the it
and so I really loved it, and I felt like
(14:32):
volleyball gave me the space of like truly discovering who
I am and eventually realizing I don't have to be
somehow or fit in any boxes. I can just be me.
So I'm really grateful for the chance and the space
that volleyball gave me. That's why I fell in love
in the first place with volleyball and the community behind it.
I feel like growing up with only my mom and
(14:53):
my animals, volleyball gave me like an extended family that
I'm really grateful for. I'm still going back to my
hometown club so and practicing with them more like doing
something with their youth.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
I love that. How does the volleyball world work in Germany?
Like you know here in the States, it's like you
have youth clubs, you play in high school, you try
to get the college scholarship, and then if you want
to continue playing and can continue playing and go pro.
But how does it work in Germany? Are there youth
clubs like there are in the States, high school, secondary
(15:26):
school teams and stuff like that, Like, how does it work?
How do you eventually like continue to succeed and get
better and better.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
If you don't have the college system as you have here.
So we right away start with club volleyball. So when
I was nine, I joined my hometown club and then
eventually I would join the youth national team. I was
always lateing it. I got selected later on, but then
I joined the youth national team and then the coach
(15:51):
came to me and asked me if I want to
go to the boarding school Sports boarding School in Berlin,
which was like five and a half hours away from
where I grew up, because there they had this used program.
For instance, we were competing in the first league, like
right away in the professional league, but out of competition
it was really like the youth national team kind of
who would competing and gaining experience. So this was a
(16:15):
little bit my path. And then I graduated school and
I went right away into a professional club. So this
is something At one hand, I admire the program here
that you have like the college teams and you can
graduate high school and college and have the sports at
the secondary, but also such a high level still chance.
(16:35):
And then the only thing that was missing here that
we have is that you have the professional league right
after all, right, So now having love trying to do
that for these athletes so they are not forced to
leave overseas but can build their career. Also here is
something really amazing.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
How did playing for the German national team come about?
Speaker 2 (16:56):
So when I was playing in this used program that
I mentioned earlier, I think it was my second here
that I played there, and you have to imagine I
was playing my youth hometown club three times a week.
Then I went to boarding school and I was practicing
every day twice. Oh wow, So it was a big change. Yes,
it was a really big change, but I loved him.
(17:17):
I went there. To be honest, I didn't even think
about playing professional because I had no idea this professional
world exists, even though I was present. But as I
mentioned earlier, like when I wasn't in the gym, I
wasn't the nature with my horses and the animus, I didn't.
I had no idea this world exists. So when it
came there, I started to get to know like what
(17:37):
you can do with volleyball and what you can achieve.
And I will never forget the moment when I was
driving in a tram like a train in Berlin and
I got a call from my coach and he said like, KIMMI,
are you sitting. I was like no, He's like, hey,
maybe you want to sit because you just got invited
to the German national women national team. And this was
(18:00):
a huge thing for me because it was just one
year out of like my hometown and it was a
big step for me to leave my home because it
was hard for me at the beginning because I really
loved how I grew up in my environment there. But
I'm really happy that I had the coach back then
because I always had this mindset like okay, which vie
and if it doesn't work out, I can always come
(18:21):
back with this worst case scenario, I go to the
life back that I loved, but I really want to
see what this path can bring. And so yeah, this
was my first steps in the German national team and
then I played for the German national team almost ten
years from their on.
Speaker 1 (18:37):
Wow, since it was just you and your mom and
the animals at the time, what was your mom thinking
when you went off on this path.
Speaker 2 (18:45):
Yeah, it was hard for her. It was really hard
for her. But I'm so grateful for her because she
never really showed it to me. She was always so
supportive and like in any way, just the other week,
we have this beautiful tradition here routine here in Love
of Omaha that you can see also that like Susie's
philosophy is a little bit different. So we have like
(19:07):
two days but per week where one player is sharing
something about their lives and what matters to them and
just seeing wrong asker's a question like who is the
most influential person in your career, and I answered, it's
my mom because at the end of the day, she
always supported me and always she was practicing, she was
(19:27):
driving me to practice her she didn't miss one tournament,
one game, like nothing. She was always by my side.
And so I think she's a big part like why
I had the coach also to leave because I knew
there's always this one person that has my back no
matter what. And so yeah, big shout o to my mom.
But also like in this moment, now that I'm older,
(19:48):
I realized like how hard it must have been for
her because I was her center of her life basically.
I mean she raised me on her own with all
the struggles that come with it, and then I left
in and now Wally, but have brought me all over
the world like I played, like you said at the
beginning in Italy friends Turkey, say, with the national team
(20:09):
the whole summer we would travel. So yeah, she's always
really grateful for every time that we can stand. But
I never feel like she's like holding me back in
any way. She's always supporting.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Your mom's a superhero for this. Yes, did she get
to did she get to visit you? In all the
different countries that you've played.
Speaker 2 (20:27):
Most of them, but unfortunately she's afraid of flying, so
Turkey she didn't come. And now the States is going
to be a little bar for her for a couple hours.
And I'm still working on it. I'm still working on it,
but because I know she would love all of that.
But yeah, she grew up also in the small village
(20:48):
and she went the path that you asked before, like
many of them. Heay, she didn't really leave too much
this area, just occasionally, but not so much Germany.
Speaker 1 (20:58):
Yeah, hopefully she can make it out. Hopefully, Yes, I hope. Now,
out of all the countries that you've played in, do
you have any fond memories of one in particular, one
that you kind of like more than the other? Is
everything kind of has been a great experience.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
It's always hard to answer this question because money Also
young athletes ask me that I feel like every season
that I played, I learned something new for my life,
and I just love to be in different cultures and
see how they approach life and their way of thinking.
So I would say that every time, seriously, every time
(21:34):
and I had a new season, there was something that
I could take for my life afterwards. And then I
just love like in Italy they are so open and
like I love the culture of their food is amazing.
And then but this is Turkey has such a big
hospitality and they're really warm and were coming and I
(21:54):
really love to see that. And then volleyball wise, it's
just like playing and leaves like Turkey and Italy is
something really nice because every every game is such on
such a high level and that it helps you a
lot to improve as an athlete as well. So yeah, definitely.
But also Serbia had something to it, like seeing more
(22:15):
of the youth development there with something really nice. I
just explore and now I'm here and I'm excited to
see what I would have learned so much, but also
saying like what it comes leads that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (22:27):
Yeah, there's also I mean, there's a lot of international
players who are going to be playing in League One,
so I feel, you know, not just the women who
are from the States playing in the States for the
first time, but you guys get to experience what it's
like in the States too. Actually, one of the League
one players on a pogony is also from Germany, and
you played with her on the German national team. Correct.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Yes, the I played almost the whole nine years that
I've been there, I played with her.
Speaker 1 (22:53):
Did you guys kind of talk about coming to the
States together or was it something that you just both
ended up deciding to do on your own and A
were like, oh my gosh, I'm going to be playing
for this league too.
Speaker 2 (23:03):
Yeah, it's a letter. So we both like ended up
and individually for that. Because at the beginning, when I
signed the Clove, I didn't really communicate it with anybody.
So I think that's something that all of us like
had to do at the beginning, because there was like
this thing of like showing like who will be at
the part of that, So I was like, okay, I
(23:23):
don't chain. And then just because I love like the
marketing and all of this, how they're building up this
tension and I which think it's something really cool. So yeah,
I didn't really talk about that. But then when I
saw it was nice to see that there's another German
so we have Fena, so that's awesome. Four actually four
Jennifer is also here there.
Speaker 1 (23:44):
You are you excited to be playing against them?
Speaker 2 (23:47):
Yes, it's always fun to play against friends. I love them.
It's always it doesn't matter if the German or other
friends that I have. I'm I love that little teasing.
Speaker 1 (23:58):
Other than that way you're English, it's phenomenal. When did
you learn English?
Speaker 2 (24:04):
Thank you? And you have it in school in Germany? Okay,
But to be honest, I didn't really like speak when
I was in school, and more so came with playing
professional and like playing and teams were also honest, and
I was always I love to connect with people, so
I wanted to learn English. I can connect with most
(24:24):
of them on a deeper level. So I actually started
speaking when I played more professional.
Speaker 1 (24:30):
That's very cool. Do you speak other languages too, Yes, a.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
Little bit of French and Italian. Like every time when
I went to a league and I was a little longer,
I tried to learn the language that I understand a
little bit, like locker room talks and some practices when
their language is so yeah, I tried to learn wherever
I go a little bit.
Speaker 1 (24:49):
That's awesome. Now, because of volleyball, you've had the opportunity
to kind of grow as a person and as a player.
You kind of talked about how important the sport was
for you, you know, growing up in learning who you
are as a person. But when you decide to finally
hang up your kneepads, do you see yourself continuing in
this sport and trying to give back to the youth
(25:11):
or do you think that you're going to try to
do something else in life. What's your thoughts on with
what volleyball gave you passing it on to the next generation.
Speaker 2 (25:20):
This is actually my vision and so last year and
I was thinking, Okay, where do I want to play
in the next year. I was actually more tended to
go and play somewhere in Asia, but then I got
contacted from Love and I heard the presentation and their
mission and their vision behind it, and there was no
doubt I had to say yes because the vision that
(25:43):
they have or the youth programs and seeing us as
like humans not just plays, is exactly what I learned
over the last years that I want to pass on
to the next generation as well, and knowing that I'm
playing for a league who has the same visions as
I have for something really incredible. So yeah, Really, for
me personally, it's really important to give back to the
(26:06):
volleyball community because volleyball had brought so much into my
life as you learn now and like for me, like
giving it back to maybe just one child out there,
providing access through like the nonprofit organization that I joined
two years ago, or just here, like being connected to
use and maybe giving them this one advice that change
(26:30):
something in their life. Is something that I really love
to do. And so my version is also to do
this next to sport. And if I decide to stop
playing actively, I think volleyball will have me forever in
some way. I really love to maybe do cams and
to yeah provide something not just the volleyball tools, but
(26:52):
also the tools volleyball taught me for my life that
I can use afterwards. So I really like love to
do something more and active in the community also after volleyball,
when I have even more time for that.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
We talked about how love kind of pitched you to
come to the United States and be part of this,
But I know the season officially hasn't started yet and
you're still kind of in preseason, But how are we
doing so far?
Speaker 2 (27:20):
I love it. They definitely do things different than other leagues.
I mean, we already had so many community activities and
engagements and I really loved all of them. It's just yeah,
connecting with US players on all different levels, like being
here also US space that I've like come maybe off
(27:42):
underprivileged areas, and just interacting with them, being present and
spelling the joy of volleyball. It always shows me that
you don't need much and sport is so powerful and
can connect people. Be the old language even even though okay,
we can communicate here, but still like something more powerful
behind it and through law on the activities that they
(28:06):
do and make us do something that is really nice.
And I'm looking forward to more of that.
Speaker 1 (28:26):
One of the things I love about this podcast is
that I get to know you ladies, not just as players,
but as people as well. So I want to ask
you a few questions that are kind of more off
the court to get to know you a little bit better.
I know that you said you love animals because you
grew up with animals, but you know here in the
States now you also have your schedule from nine to
twelve and you can have a life after. So what
(28:49):
is what's Kimberly's life off the court? What do you
like to do when you're not playing volleyball.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Right now, I love to work on like certain projects
that I have that I would love to develop. The summertime,
as I mentioned before, I joined like a global volleyball
foundation Let's keep the word flying two years ago and
during the summertime we traveled. I had a way two
destinations that we traveled at the first year, I went
(29:16):
to Bali, this a smaller group, and then last year,
like this past summer, we went to the Philippines with
a big group and we just bring a volleyball to
underprivileged areas, bringing access to it, like it comes from
to gear, to knowledge, just spending time, spending time together.
So this is something that I would love to prepare
myself already for the last next summer, we have the
(29:39):
destination Africa. I'm really excited for that because then I
will have the opportunity to also go back to my
boots because I haven't been in Africa so far, even
though half of my family is African. So this is
something I'm really looking forward to and I want to
give back. So I'm trying to work on something how
I maybe can make this possible with help of that organization,
(30:00):
but also like maybe through our own income and like
seeing what I can provide there. So I'm working on
these things mostly in a coffee shop, having my match
and just yeah, trying to build his concept and finding
right partners here in Omaha, in America, but also overseas
that maybe have a similar vision to support this mission.
(30:26):
And I love to listen to different podcasts to always
work on my mindset and because I just learned over
the years how important it is as high as you play,
to have like a great mental tool kit of tourists
that help you to overcome certain hurdles so that you
can always perform on your best. So I love to
(30:48):
do this in my free time as well, and then
just spend time with friends and FaceTime, my home, my
little sister, and having my mee time sometimes to balance
at all of that.
Speaker 1 (31:00):
Both you and your mom are super women. My goodness,
thank you well. Speaking of your little sister, tell me
about her. How old is she? Does she play volleyball?
Speaker 2 (31:13):
She does not, She's eleven now. She's more in like
singing and dancing and meeting friends a period right now.
But I love that. I don't think that she has
to play like volleyball as I did. I was the
first of my family and so she's yeah, more so
(31:33):
connected those with animals. She has two dogs, so she's
growing up. But we have we share the same father,
but not the same mother, so she's my half sister.
But yeah, she's gorgeous. I just love her so much
and it's so grateful to have her in my life.
And I love spending time with her because then you
have a different perspective, like things that maybe like bug
(31:55):
you because of practice or anything, just like vanished when
you're spending time with the younger woman. I feel like
every time and I have like a summer vocation with
her since four years, I try to at least take
her for one sister vacation for a week somewhere, and
every time it's just nice to see her grow into
this great like great woman, and especially in this age,
(32:17):
like seeing the different character traits that come out slowly,
it's like really nice to see that.
Speaker 1 (32:23):
Well, now that you're here in Nebraska, what are some
things you're looking forward to do? Are there any foods
or anything like that that you really want to try?
Speaker 2 (32:32):
I did try already the cauliflower cross pizza. I must
say it's pretty good if we don't have that in
our Europe, So there was something I already discovered but
in general looking forward to like the culture here. As
I say, like, I know that Nebraska fans are different.
There's a slogan right like there's no place like Nebraska.
I heard about that. I'm yeah, I'm curious to see
(32:54):
how this will be when we play and being like
our own home quowd. Really looking forward to that and
looking forward to starting the games and yeah, going with
the fans against the teams here and just competing on
such a high level.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
Another thing I wanted to talk to you that you
didn't mention as like something you do on the side,
but you like to model, correct.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
Ah, yes I do sometimes I like to do Yes,
I like to do that too.
Speaker 1 (33:21):
I mean you're gorgeous, right, you have an awesome, unique,
gorgeous look. So I feel like the modeling makes total
sense for you. But how how important is modeling? Like
what made you want to do it and why do
you like to do it?
Speaker 2 (33:32):
And it was just a fun way for me to
express myself like off the court and different like race,
not just in like I was sportski or right, because
most of the times you're gonna where I was vetas
and hoodies right and spandic So having like the space
to wear something different and like going in different roles
with something really nice. And it was at the beginning
(33:55):
more so challenge for me because when I was younger,
I was a little shy and I was as happy
with my appearance as I said earlier, because I always
wanted to look like everybody else. But now knowing that
I want to embrace how I am and that how
I look model gave me this opportunity to go out
of my comfort zone and feel comfortable with the way
(34:17):
I am and help I look. So yeah, it was
more this little challenge part and then accepting me. But
I love to do it, Like I'm not like actively
like looking for that, but whenever he and omaha, somebody
is sat there who likes to do photos with me
to reach out, I have time in the afternoons. Yeah,
(34:39):
so it's more like hob fun hobby. If the opportunity comes,
I like to take it. I tried it though during
the summer. I did works with some agencies, but then
every time and an offer come in, it was like
a practice or term and I was like, okay, sorry,
I can't do it. So maybe after my this is
(35:00):
something that I can pursue a little bit more serious.
Let's see my father did it? Oh wow, he was
a model as well, and like so maybe he came
also from there a little bit this influenced.
Speaker 1 (35:11):
Oh, that's amazing. Does he live in Germany too, Yes.
Speaker 2 (35:15):
He grew up in Germany. He came to Germany when
he was nine years old. And so most of my
Africa and family actually lives in Germany as well.
Speaker 1 (35:23):
That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (35:24):
So yeah, I'm really close to them now. I really
loved all of them. I just yes that I found
a video of like a recap of my phone and
it's just like, yeah, we have a great family and
I'm really really grateful for that. So, yeah, he lives
in Germany. We reconnected a couple of years ago. Who
was not really present when I grew up, but now
(35:44):
he's more part of my life and I'm happy for
that as well, because yeah, there's certain it's interesting, there's
certain connections and like similarities that yeah, definitely proved that
genetic is real. So yeah, I'm excited to see where
it gets us.
Speaker 1 (36:02):
Oh that's so great. Very happy for you that you
have been able to reconnect and have a great relationship.
Speaker 2 (36:07):
Now, thank you.
Speaker 1 (36:08):
We're gonna end the interview on one last question, which
I like to ask everybody when we're doing this podcast,
and with this being the inaugural season of Love, what
are you hoping to showcase when you play? What are
you hoping the league showcases? What are you hoping that
people see when they watch Love.
Speaker 2 (36:24):
I'm just so excited to be part of Love. I
think they are creating something so meaningful because they don't
just see us as players and performers, but the human
beings that we are. And as I said, like joining
Love and knowing that I'm playing for a league that
has similar visions and missions as I have individually is
(36:48):
something so powerful, and I think, and I know sport
has such a great impact on people's life, and especially
for women, having the possibility to combine who are off
the core but also like pursuing a family life and
growing for something greater, but also still being able to
play the sport as Love is a pioneer right now
(37:10):
is something really precious and I'm so happy to be
a part of that, and I can't wait to see
them succeed because I really believe in this mission and
I think that, yeah, that being the pioneer of that,
other leagues will have to follow at one point, So
I'm really excited to be here with love and writing history.
Speaker 1 (37:32):
I love that so much. Well, Kim, really, it's been
a pleasure speaking with you. Thank you so much and
best of love this season.
Speaker 2 (37:39):
Thank you to you for having me.
Speaker 1 (37:42):
Serving Pancakes is an iheartwomen's sports production in partnership with
Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on
the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, wherever you get your podcasts.
Production by League One Volleyball, I'm your host, Tiffany Oshinsky.
Anya Alvarez is our senior pretty. Our executive producers are
(38:02):
Carrie Stett, Tamaradike, and Lindsay Hoffman. Our marketing lead is
Jawara Parker. Sound editing and mixing by Daniel Gonzalez. Our
theme music is Pancakes by Eric W. Mast Junior Special
thanks to Kimberly Derema. Stay tuned for another episode of
Serving Pancakes. Thanks for listening.
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