Video Interview
MENOMONIE (October 7, 2020) -
Tori Lammar has assumed a different role on the UW-Stout volleyball team than she did in the high school - although she still is able to exercise her leadership skills.
A three-time high school all-conference player and one-time conference player of the year as a right side hitter and setter, Lammar was able to parlay her playing time into leadership on the court. At Stout, her leadership role has been more off the court.
A Blue Devil senior who is part of the volleyball program's leadership team, Lammar sees herself working to keep her teammates positive, despite everything whirling around the world.
"I definitely try to keep a positive, fun and hardworking atmosphere," Lammar said. "Without those three things, it's hard to play at your best. That is why I try to demonstrate and encourage that team atmosphere."
With the fall competitive season canceled and the practice season slowly being phased in, Lammar, the Blue Devil coaching staff and the other members of the volleyball leadership have been trying to lend a sense of normalcy to the season.
"This is a very strange and kind of gloomy year," Lammar said. "The best way I cope with it is staying active. I try to get into the weight room as must as possible, take walks, and be outdoors to keep my spirit up. I try to look on the bright side of things as well. It could be worse and it's for peoples' safety.
"Our leadership team has been trying to get the freshman involved and comfortable as much as possible during this time. We've been slowly meeting each one of them while following social distancing of course. We also try to host (Microsoft) Team meetings where we can all talk and keep volleyball on our minds.
Lammar is also spreading her leadership skills outside of the volleyball arena. Active in UW-Stout's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Lammar is one of the organization's vice-presidents.
SAAC is planning on implementing the athletic department's "Mask Up Menomonie" initiative to the rest of campus and planning on creating a "Better Together Wall."
"This wall will have inspirational quotes and ideas to keep athletes positive during these times," Lammar said. "We plan on keeping an active Instagram account to help with this. We are also hoping to implement some pass events, while bringing in some new ideas that follow the guidelines of social distancing."
Lammar's time at Stout has been nothing but positive she said. Lammar came to Stout because of the small, cozy, hometown feeling, similar to her hometown of Stetsonville, about 90 minutes east of Menomonie.
"I have nothing but positives when it comes to Stout academics," Lammar, a health, wellness and fitness major, said. "The professors, classes, and experiences all have helped and supported my future in some way. I have been a scholar-athlete all my semesters so far, and I was given the honor of student of the year for my program in 2019."
Lammar has been a peer health educator at Student Health Services, and has had an internship at Student Health Services.
"This has been the best experience in terms of what I want to do," Lammar said. "I build and implement programs for students on campus in regards to physical, nutritional, sexual, and mental health."
Lammar's career goals include becoming a health educator, where she would like to continue to build health and wellness programs for communities to build individuals' overall well-being. She looks forward to pursuing her masters.
What she expects to be lifelong memories don't just happen on the court with her teammates.
"We love to be goofy," Lammar said. "We will do whatever it takes to make someone smile or laugh. So, we dance, sing, tell jokes, and the list can go on.
"One of my coaches has always said is, 'Years after playing volleyball, you won't remember the wins or losses. You'll remember the memorable relationships that you created and the fun experiences that made you closer to them.' And that is so true. Memories that will last a lifetime are trips, bus rides, and the laughs I've had with my teammates."
