Off The Pitch: Kelly Dorney

Over the offseason, HailState.com will interview select Mississippi State soccer players in an effort to learn more about their lives on and off the pitch. Upcoming senior Kelly Dorney is next on our list as we sit down with the Huntsville, Ala., native.

Kelly Dorney Q&A

Q: What are your first impressions of the new coaching staff?
A: ""I really like them, they're great. They're very competitive and raise the level of intensity at practice. I think it's good for us and we'll be much improved under them."

Q: "What kind of things have they done to make it so competitive?
A: "Everything we do is basically on a point scale and then the coaching staff ranks us. You want to be in the top 11 obviously, because there are only 11 spots on the field. The fitness test we take, juggling, everything we do goes toward the point total. You don't want to lose and I think it's added a much more competitive atmosphere to the team."

Q: What did you do over the offseason to get ready for the new coaching staff?
"I ran a lot. In my phone conversation with Coach Anagnost he suggested I do my own two-a-days, so I did that for the last two and a half weeks of the break. I would workout in the morning and afternoon everyday."

Q: How was that first phone conversation with head coach Tom Anagnost?
"It was great. We had a great conversation. He was also a political science and history major, so we had a lot in common from the start. We talked about that and he asked what things I thought could help the team. I told him the standard needed to be raised and we needed to have a more competitive atmosphere and so far both of those have been applied to what we are doing as a team right now."

Q: How does it feel to only have one year left to play at MSU?
"It's my last season, and it's super weird to think about because I've been playing soccer since I could walk. I want to go to Orange Beach (SEC Tournament) like every other player on this team. I think we have a great chance of accomplishing that this upcoming season."

Q: How big is it to have the MSU Soccer Clubhouse now?
"It's huge, instead of going to practice an hour early you only have to get there around 45 minutes or so. You don't have to plan in walking time. It's really good for training room concerns too, because everything is in one spot now. It's so much easier than years past. The biggest thing is if you forget something in the locker room you can just walk and get it instead of sprinting to the Hump to get it."

Q: What advice would you give to the underclassmen?
"Just stick with it no matter what. Some moments are harder than others, but there is always something waiting at your end of the road. Take advantage of all these great friendships, because the moments and memories you make with your teammates will be the most important things you'll take away."

Q: Why did you become a political science major?
"I've had three different majors at State. I came in as a biological science major, took biology and knew it wasn't for me. Then I was an anthropology major for a while and I liked it a lot, but I didn't really see a future in it. So finally I became a political science major. My dream is to go to law school and become a lawyer."

Q: Both of your parents work for NASA, how did that happen?
A: "My parents were originally college professors, but they were offered jobs at NASA and we moved to Huntsville. My parents were slightly hesitant about moving to Alabama, because no one in our family has ever lived that far south. Looking back on it now, it's honestly been great and I love Huntsville."

Q: What kind of jobs do they have at NASA?
A: "My dad is a aerospace engineer and my mom is a computer scientist. My dad is currently the head of two separate launch vehicles that will eventually go into space. My mom designs programs and tools that people use to build the rockets. They both are hands down two of the smartest human beings I've ever known. It's funny, because my brother and I hate math and science, but love history and English. We are complete opposites of my parents."

Quick Hitters
Three words teammates would use to describe her: Sarcastic, blunt and honest
Biggest fear: Wet paper
Teammate to carry to trivia night: Rhylee DeCrane
Who would be on her medical team: Kayleigh Henry, McKenzie Adams, Mallory Eubanks and Jen Huckaby
Who she would draft for her law team: Herself and Kiley Martens
Favorite place to eat in Starkville: Three-way tie between The Grill, Thai Siam and Starkville Café
Best song to get hyped to before a game: Blood On The Leaves (Kanye West)
Does she have a Valentine: Not at the moment
Chocolate or flowers for Valentine's Day: Flowers
One word she hopes describes 2017: Successful

Social Media
For more information on Kelly Dorney, or any other Bulldog soccer player, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at "HailStateSOC."

Mississippi State University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

McKenzie Adams

Rhylee DeCrane

Kelly Dorney

Mallory Eubanks

Kayleigh Henry

Jen Huckaby

Kiley Martens

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