I had a chance to sit down with Cole Machiela of Saginaw Valley State University who was selected as April’s Rookie of the Month.
Cole is a Freshman studying Spanish and Business Management at Saginaw Valley State University. He was a standout player who played a key role in the Cardinals’ offense and led the team as an Assistant Captain. Going forward, expect Machiela to continue to be household name within the realm of college dodgeball.
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Kathryn: Congrats on being selected as Rookie of the Month! And big congrats on being selected for the NCDA All-Rookie Team! How did it feel when you heard the news?
Cole: I thought it was awesome. There were a lot of talented rookies this year for sure – so it was definitely a big honor.
K: You definitely made a name for yourself after your OT win against UWP at Nationals day one. What were some of your favorite moments from Nationals? Was Nationals what you expected?
C: Playing in that OT6 game was definitely my favorite moment of Nationals. It was a very fast paced, and I definitely had a lot of fun just being in the atmosphere with all the teams in the same gym. It was a blast.
K: What are some of the key aspects of your play style that help separate you from your peers? Did any prior sports prepare you?
C: I think that my past of being a catcher in baseball for my whole life really translates well into dodgeball because of the endurance of my arm. All of the travel baseball games I’ve had to cram in a single weekend prepared my endurance and catching ability.
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K: What areas do you think you have the most room for improvement?
C: I’d like to improve on my arm strength and overall consistency on my catching.
K: Playing next to veterans like [Bryce] Stevens and [Joe] Barber can help you see what it takes to play at a high level. What tips and tricks have you picked up from them that have helped you?
C: Definitely on how to be a lot smarter on my throws, knowing where to aim, and when to throw.
K: Going into the 22-23 season, what would you say is your goal for SVSU dodgeball?
C: I don’t think it’s unrealistic for the SVSU dodgeball to go farther than this past season. Since we are only losing two vets we could go on a run next year at Nationals.
K: Are there any teams/opponents you look forward to playing?
C: I’d love to play OSU again considering we were so close to beating them in the sweet 16 game at Nationals. I am definitely looking forward to playing them again.
K: What piece of advice would you give to upcoming rookies?
C: If you are considering coming out or trying out for your team’s club… DO IT!!! It’s a lot more competitive than I had originally thought, and it’s a ton of fun.
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