Engeman is a Ga. Tech transfer from Excelsior, Minn.
A redshirt junior middle blocker, Kali Engeman transferred in from Georgia Tech, where she spent the last three seasons. The Excelsior, Minn., native will have two years of eligibility left as a Golden Gopher. In high school, she attended Minnetonka, helping the Skippers win the 2018 Conference Championship and 2019 Section title.
GS: When you were a kid, were you always into volleyball or were there other interests in your life? KE: Definitely other interests. I played soccer for 12 years and didn't start playing volleyball until middle school. I was also playing basketball, but didn't like that too much. My parents wanted me to have a fall to winter sport, and volleyball fit in schedule wise. Eventually, volleyball overtook my love of soccer. I didn't like running as much as I thought I did. 15's year is when I started getting much more serious about the sport.
Kali playing T-Ball as a kidGS: Tell us about your family, you have one older sister? KE: My sister Danna and I are two years apart. It was just us in the house growing up, so we did a lot together. She was a good softball player and played volleyball. She used to pitch to my dad in the yard and I would just run around. For volleyball, one special thing was we got to play high school for one season together at Minnetonka. She didn't end up playing a sport in college but went to Missouri as a regular student. She now coaches club volleyball here in Minnesota. My grandparents on my mom's side also live in Minnesota. My grandfather (Steve Lundeen) played football for the Gophers and won a Big Ten Championship in the 1960's.
GS: For volleyball, you obviously started a little later than most people. When did you start getting recruited? KE: I started hearing from schools at the end of my 15's year. It was my first season being at Northern Lights Volleyball club. We got third place at AAU nationals and my recruitment kind of got started there. In the beginning, it was a lot of Ivy League schools that I was considering. The East Coast really wasn't for me, so I decided to go south to Georgia Tech. I liked Princeton, Northwestern and Georgia Tech most. I really wanted to do engineering and the weather and campus at Georgia Tech put it over the top for me.
GS: Your team at Georgia Tech had a lot of success and made multiple deep NCAA Tournament runs. What were your favorite memories there? KE: We beat Pitt at their place when they were ranked No. 2 by the AVCA. We used to do gas station runs after wins where we would go in and get food, and it was super memorable that day after a big win. The 2021 Elite Eight run was awesome too, I'll never forget that.
Kali and Danna with their parents (Maja and Joseph) at DisneyworldGS: The 2022 season, you redshirted after injuring your knee. What was that process like? KE: It was a lot of character building. I tore my ACL and had to watch the whole season from the sideline. It was interesting because I had my surgery and was walking without crutches within a week. They want you to get your range of motion back and it's constant rehab. It was eight months until I was able to get back on the court in a meaningful way. I turned into a team supporter that year, I just wanted the team to win. I did learn a lot seeing the game from the sidelines, I just hope I don't have to go through that again. Two years out from the injury now, I had to really work to build the muscle back, I couldn't take my foot off the gas or the muscles would shrink again.
GS: So you played the 2023 season, graduated from Georgia Tech in three years and then entered the transfer portal. How did recruiting go the second time around for you? KE: I really wanted my next move to be volleyball-centric. I had a great experience at GT, but I wanted something new. I was looking for a great coaching staff and a great family of teammates who play at a high level. I wanted it to be a good redemption of the year I had taken away by injury. Also, I wanted to get some sort of business degree to round myself out after doing my undergrad in engineering.
GS: What was your recruiting process with Minnesota like? KE: So I actually reached out to [associate head coach] Kristen [Kelsay]. She recruited me when she was at Northwestern. I thought 'what are the odds she has the same phone number?' So I texted her that I was interested, and she spoke with Keegan to get things rolling. I originally was too nervous to text her, but my mom ended up convincing me and I'm so glad she did. With Kristen, she's just the best, she really cares about you, even if you don't end up going to the school. She wanted to make sure it was a good fit on both sides. I eventually came on a visit and it was really telling. I got to see practice and there were a lot of things I really liked seeing in the gym. My heart took me back to Minnesota and I knew it was the right decision for me.
GS: Did you get you meet the team on your visit? KE: I got to meet some of them briefly. I met them at practice and had lunch with several of them, but they were leaving for spring break later that day. I knew Lauren [Crowl] from club, so that helped make me comfortable as well.
GS: Your next time seeing the team was going on the foreign trip in May. How were you feeling heading into that? KE: It was definitely a nerve-wracking experience just thinking I needed to be on my 'A' game all the time. There was going to be so many socialization opportunities to get to know people better, which is what I needed. From a team-building perspective, it was big, I just tried to say 'yes' to as many things as I could. I'm an introvert, so that can be a lot for me and I just needed to psyche myself up a bit. It was such a fun trip though. I made so many great connections with the girls and it has made the summer so much fun thus far. The hardest part may have been just playing with a new team because I wasn't familiar with the system and my new teammates yet. That's going to take some time, but we made some great progress in May.
Kali's official visit to MinnesotaGS: How have open gyms gone so far this summer? KE: It's a fun environment but there's a high level of play that needs to be upheld. It's good for building connections but also trying new things on the court. There's no pressure because we're not competing in games yet, but I have seen myself improve with this group.
GS: Have you been able to build connections off the court with your teammates this summer? KE: I've enjoyed hanging with everyone, but I've really connected with Phoebe [Awoleye] and Lydia [Grote] this summer. I ride with them to lifts in the mornings and see them around the apartment building. They were transfers as well, so they know what I'm going through with being in a new place and making that adjustment. They're both just awesome, super mature people and I've enjoyed building those relationships.
GS: What would you say you're looking forward to most in your first year at Minnesota? KE: I'm really excited about conference play. In the volleyball world, the Big Ten is THE conference to be in. It's the highest level, most viewership and the best crowds. It's where the magic happens. As a Minnesota native, I'm pretty excited about the matches against Wisconsin too.
GS: Did you ever think you'd be playing in college volleyball matches at the Pav? KE: It was never even in my realm. They were recruiting amazing players when they were like 12 and 13 years old like Mckenna {Wucherer]. I barely even started playing then. When I was 15/16 in club volleyball, I was looking around but Minnesota wasn't a school on my radar. We used to go to football and volleyball games here growing up as kids, so I have been to plenty of matches there. Regan Pittman and Samantha Seliger-Swenson were the two players I remember watching most. Absolute legends.
GS: What are some goals you have for the team and yourself next year? KE: Definitely finishing towards the top of the conference and making a deep NCAA Tournament run. For myself, take everything in stride and be the best teammate I can be. I want to have fun with the sport in a way that I haven't in a long time.
Kali playing in the Minnesota State High School Tournament with MinnetonkaKali and her sister wearing Gopher gear at a Twins gameGS: How does your family feel about being able to see you play in person? KE: They've been all over it. My grandpa secured season tickets and my parents are calling two of my tickets for every home match. As soon as the schedule got released, they started planning out road trips too. I'm so excited to have people in the stands cheering me on. Friends from my hometown want to come see me play as well. I'm excited for the big crowds coming to see us play at the Pav.
GS: For someone who has never seen you play before, give a scouting report on yourself. KE: I'm not the tallest middle, but I will come at you with speed and know how to get to my spots. I'm very versatile and relentless.
GS: What do you like to do off the court? KE: I love to go on walks, especially in the summer. I've been walking down to the Stone Arch Bridge. I'm also trying to find an animal shelter to volunteer at, I did that in Atlanta and loved it. I also like to learn new languages - I did an emerging program in my elementary school and learned Chinese. My boyfriend speaks Bulgarian so I want to learn that too.
Rapid Fire:
Favorite Food: Pizza
Fun Fact: I have 12 years learning and practicing Chinese
Big Block or Big Kill: Definitely a big block
Hidden Talent: I know how to knit
Favorite Vacation Spot: Athens, Greece
TV Shows: How I Met Your Mother and White Collar
Biggest Inspirations: My parents
