Wartburg Volleyball team captain Paige Deppe has been a part of four conference championship teams coming into her senior season. As a middle blocker, the accounting and business administration double major has amassed 78 kills and 56 blocks the past two seasons. The Dyersville native is also a two-time Academic All-Conference honoree.
 
How did you hear about Wartburg?
 
PD: I heard about Wartburg from my high school. They would come to my school and send fliers, but I was actually recruited from track.
 
Why did you pick volleyball over track?
 
PD: I knew I wanted to do both to begin with. Volleyball season was first and I really enjoyed it. After completing both a season of volleyball and track, I realized it would be too much. In track I was just high jumping, so I didn't feel it was as much of a team sport, so I chose volleyball.
 
What convinced you that Wartburg would be the right fit?
 
PD: When I took a visit here, I was debating between here and the University of Iowa. It was a big difference. My visit here was very individualized and people took the time to know who I really was and show me around the campus and everything one-on-one, rather than at Iowa. I got lost right away. I just knew that the smaller school would be better for me.
 
What are your plans after graduation?
 
PD: I plan to sit for the CPA and get my certificate and become an accountant. I actually have a job at Hormel Foods lined up as a cost accountant lined up.
 
What has been your favorite Wartburg athletic memory?
 
PD: It has to be from last year when we played at Buena Vista and won the A-R-C championship. It was the fourth in a row that we won so we were the first team to do a four-peat at Wartburg. It was all about making some memories and carrying on the tradition.
 
How do you balance being a student-athlete?
 
PD: I am very organized, so I have everything written down in a calendar. From my extracurriculars to volleyball to academics, I make sure everything is done before I do anything else and I don't put time into things that I don't love. I remember to have a positive attitude with everything I do. It keeps me going.
 
What else are you involved in besides volleyball?
 
PD: I am the finance director for Wartburg College Dance Marathon here on campus. I'm also the budget coordinator for service trips and the president of Phi Beta Lambda, which is the honors business chapter.
 
What has been most rewarding out of those extracurriculars?
 
PD: Just knowing that you're giving back. In each of them, I've been able to give back, whether it be to students, to the kids in Dance Marathon or to others in service trips. Giving back to someone in some way is very rewarding.  
 
How has playing volleyball added to your Wartburg experience?
 
PD: For one, it keeps me active, so that's always good. I have that competitive edge, so I think being able to bring that out on the court helps. We also come early for preseason, so making those friendships right away and not having to make friends on my own helped. I didn't come here with anyone else from my high school, so I made a lot of great friends through volleyball.
 
What advice do you have for high school students considering continuing their athletic careers at Wartburg?
 
PD: Go for it and know that it will not be a problem. All of the professors and coaches do a great job at making sure that you're balancing school and athletics and that you're going to get good grades while participating in sports with the help of everyone here.
 
What does it mean to be a Knight?
 
PD: To be a Knight means that you are bigger than just yourself. You are more than just a number at a school. Your name matters and people know you. That's really important. When you walk down the halls, you're going to know the people you walk by.