WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - As part of our countdown to the season, we will give you the inside scoop on our 16 players. With 20 days left until the home opener, we introduce freshman Danielle Cuttino, a 6-4 middle blocker from Indianapolis.
Cuttino spent part of her summer as a member of the U.S. Junior National team, which competed at the NORCECA Women's U-20 Championships in Guatemala. In 2013, she was part of the U.S. Youth National team, which finished second at the under-18 FIVB World Championships.
As a prepster, Cuttino was named as a Volleyball Magazine Fab 50 selection and as PrepVolleyball.com's No. 10 Senior Ace. An Under Armour second team All-American and second team all-state selection as a senior, Cuttino also was a three-year basketball letterwinner, earning all-state, all-conference and all-county honors at Ben Davis High School.
She is one of six children and plans to major in pharmacy at Purdue.
Let's get to know Danielle Cuttino a little bit better.
Best feeling - stuff block or big kill: Stuff block
Best feeling - service ace or big diving save: Big diving save
One word to describe my game: Energetic
Team I am most excited to play in 2014: Illinois
Best non-athletic talent: Singing
Sweet or Salty: Sweet
Chocolate or vanilla: Vanilla
Dogs or cats: Dogs
Vacation - at the beach or in the mountains: Beach
Coolest place I have ever been: Guatemala
People I look up to the most: My parents
Celebrity crush: Jeremy Lamb
Favorite ice cream flavor: Mint chocolate chip
Favorite type of pizza: Pepperoni
Favorite holiday: Thanksgiving
Favorite sport besides volleyball: Basketball
Favorite sports team: OKC Thunder
Favorite athlete: Peyton Manning
Favorite TV Show: Teen Wolf
Favorite Book: Perks of Being A Wallflower
Favorite Musical Artist: Wiz Khalifa