Editor's Note:  The "New Girls on the Block" series is back for another season as HighPointPanthers.com introduces you to the High Point University volleyball's newcomers. For the second installment of the 2017 series, we feature Ali Thanhauser, a middle blocker from Raleigh, N.C.
 
HIGH POINT, N.C. – Next up on the High Point University volleyball program's annual "New Girls on the Block" series is Raleigh native Ali Thanhauser.
 
PERSONALITY
What are the top three things on your bucket list?
1.) Skydiving
2.) Moving to another country
3.) I want to adopt a child
 
What emoji explains your personality?
I'd say the one that is the circle face with all the teeth showing really big. Because I have a lot of moments in my life when I make that face and think "oops."
 
What is your spirit animal?
An elephant. Because they're a gentle giant kind of like me.
 
Who would you cast to play you in a movie?
I kind of want it to be Rebel Wilson because she's so funny.
 
Do you have a nickname?
Well… uh… most people on the court just call me Al or Ali. But at high school people would call me Tantor, like the elephant from Tarzan. But I don't really want people in college to call me that walking to class, though.
 
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Repetitive noises. Like if someone is clicking their pen or if someone doesn't buckle their seatbelt in the car and it's dinging I want to punch them.

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY
Why HPU?
I came here because the whole family atmosphere is awesome and I visited other schools, but they didn't seem to be as inviting.
 
What is your favorite spot on campus?
Abby Bottomley's room watching Vampire Diaries. Also our fridge. We're all roommates and our fridge is stuffed with cookie dough. Our fridge is awesome.
 
What is your major and what do you want to be when you grow up?
Business Administration. I don't really know what I want to do. My family owns a restaurant, so I would like to as good as my mom and dad are at that. I'd like to be as good as them some day.
 
Do you have a class you are looking forward to this semester?
Probably Dr. Qubein's seminar. That or Spanish because I'm really bad at it and I hope to get better. I'm in Intermediate Spanish, too, so I may be in trouble. She sent us an email already telling us to be ready to speak Spanish as soon as you walk in.
 
VOLLEYBALL
Why do you have your number?
Just to spite Kassidy [Dickerson]… It was really a domino effect because Katie [Doering] took 12, which really had no significance to me. I chose it because I didn't want the last number or a single-digit number. I took 10 not knowing Kassidy wanted it.
 
How do you get ready before a game?
I do. I actually visualize because my mom kind of started making me do that and I've gotten used to doing it. Now if I don't do it, I kind of freak out.
 
Do you have a favorite teammate to block?
Probably Haley or Molly because they're honestly legit.
 
Is that because Wisconsin breeds beasts?
Yes. That was a good statement right there.
 
What is the best week of volleyball advice you've ever gotten?
Get bitter or get better.
 
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate
Coke or Pepsi: I don't really drink soda, but Coke.
Kill or Solo Block: Solo Block
Dog or Cat: Dog
Early Bird or Night Owl: Both
Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Breakfast
Instagram or Snapchat: Instagram
Favorite Cookout Milkshake: Peach.
 
#GoHPU