PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State volleyball redshirt sophomore Krista Dooley is one of the program's new additions for the 2025 season. Dooley transferred to the Palouse after spending her red shirt freshman year with Rutgers, appearing in 30 sets over 15 matches.
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with outside hitter Krista Dooley.
You committed to WSU without coming on a visit, what stuck out to you?
Really when I was transferring, I just wanted a different environment. I wanted a different coaching staff that knew volleyball more, and a better program. I was really bought into the program here. I know they did well in 2023, and I wanted to come back and get to that spot. I was also struggling at the time with finding my reason why and I just needed something new. I heard from Kristin on my first day in the transfer portal and had a phone call with her, then Jason the second day and Korey on the last one. I knew that's a place I want to be at.
What does volleyball mean to you?
I've been playing for 12 years, and I don't really know who I am without it. I guess it's just another part of my life. I've learned a lot of life lessons from the game and lifelong friendships from it. So, I guess it means everything to me, really.
What's your favorite memory of playing a volleyball?
My favorite was my first year playing club. It was my first time playing in the open division at Nationals. I was 12 years old, we got third place at Nationals, and at the time I didn't think of how big that really was until later. I think the funny thing about it is, I don't know if it was because I was so young or I loved my coaches or a team that year. But it was special because even though we wanted to make it all the way, we didn't really care that much, because we had such a good season leading up to it. I still talk to all those girls too, and I guess that's the part that I love about that team in that memory.
How has playing for WSU been different than playing for the other places you've played?
I would say the fan base. People here truly come to the games and truly care, and they know volleyball, and they cheer, and they just love the school. And that's unlike anything I've ever been to. Even when I go watch other universities play volleyball it's not the same as it is here.
What is a goal that you have for this season?
I want to say win a conference championship, and go to the NCAA tournament, it's something I've never done before. My sister's been a few times, so I want to see what it's like, too.
How have your parents motivated you?
My parents have a really good balance of being tough when they need to be, and sweet when they need to be. My mom always says the right thing. When I call her sometimes and I'm complaining, she always says, 'look at how lucky you are to be here' and I'm like, oh, that really puts into perspective. Then in the mornings, there's times where I like, really, really need a shoulder to lean and she knows that. And my dad's the exact same way. He may be a little bit tougher, but they always say the right thing.
How have your siblings helped motivate you?
My oldest sister played volleyball, and she was the reason I got into this sport. My middle sister started later in life, but she played college lacrosse. Just being a sports family, helps motivate me, but everyone in my family knows what I've gone through. They've all gone through the same things, and I guess that's my motivation.
What is something you think that fans should know about you?
I would say that I seem kind of quiet, and I guess I am, but I am a people person. Once you get to know me, like talking and everything, I'm an open book especially if we have that type of relationship.
What kind of art do you like to create?
I usually like to paint, but I don't have any paint here. I've really gotten into diamond paintings. Over the summer, I don't know if it's artsy, but I like puzzles. It has to be at least a thousand pieces. Anything less than that, I'm like, no, this is too easy.
What kind of things do you like to cook?
Ever since last semester I've had this one meal that I make actually every week. It's a single pan meal with sausage, potatoes, carrots, and broccoli, and it's my favorite meal - it's healthy and filling. I started cooking when I was young. I really wanted to be a chef - that was going to be my big career that I wanted to do. I don't want to do that anymore, but I used to, so I guess that's why I like to cook. My mom's a really good cook, and she cooks a lot. I like to bake, too, which I learned from her. I usually make cookies, I like peanut butter cookies, and I can make a good banana bread.
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with outside hitter Krista Dooley.
You committed to WSU without coming on a visit, what stuck out to you?
Really when I was transferring, I just wanted a different environment. I wanted a different coaching staff that knew volleyball more, and a better program. I was really bought into the program here. I know they did well in 2023, and I wanted to come back and get to that spot. I was also struggling at the time with finding my reason why and I just needed something new. I heard from Kristin on my first day in the transfer portal and had a phone call with her, then Jason the second day and Korey on the last one. I knew that's a place I want to be at.
What does volleyball mean to you?
I've been playing for 12 years, and I don't really know who I am without it. I guess it's just another part of my life. I've learned a lot of life lessons from the game and lifelong friendships from it. So, I guess it means everything to me, really.
What's your favorite memory of playing a volleyball?
My favorite was my first year playing club. It was my first time playing in the open division at Nationals. I was 12 years old, we got third place at Nationals, and at the time I didn't think of how big that really was until later. I think the funny thing about it is, I don't know if it was because I was so young or I loved my coaches or a team that year. But it was special because even though we wanted to make it all the way, we didn't really care that much, because we had such a good season leading up to it. I still talk to all those girls too, and I guess that's the part that I love about that team in that memory.
How has playing for WSU been different than playing for the other places you've played?
I would say the fan base. People here truly come to the games and truly care, and they know volleyball, and they cheer, and they just love the school. And that's unlike anything I've ever been to. Even when I go watch other universities play volleyball it's not the same as it is here.
What is a goal that you have for this season?
I want to say win a conference championship, and go to the NCAA tournament, it's something I've never done before. My sister's been a few times, so I want to see what it's like, too.
How have your parents motivated you?
My parents have a really good balance of being tough when they need to be, and sweet when they need to be. My mom always says the right thing. When I call her sometimes and I'm complaining, she always says, 'look at how lucky you are to be here' and I'm like, oh, that really puts into perspective. Then in the mornings, there's times where I like, really, really need a shoulder to lean and she knows that. And my dad's the exact same way. He may be a little bit tougher, but they always say the right thing.
How have your siblings helped motivate you?
My oldest sister played volleyball, and she was the reason I got into this sport. My middle sister started later in life, but she played college lacrosse. Just being a sports family, helps motivate me, but everyone in my family knows what I've gone through. They've all gone through the same things, and I guess that's my motivation.
What is something you think that fans should know about you?
I would say that I seem kind of quiet, and I guess I am, but I am a people person. Once you get to know me, like talking and everything, I'm an open book especially if we have that type of relationship.
What kind of art do you like to create?
I usually like to paint, but I don't have any paint here. I've really gotten into diamond paintings. Over the summer, I don't know if it's artsy, but I like puzzles. It has to be at least a thousand pieces. Anything less than that, I'm like, no, this is too easy.
What kind of things do you like to cook?
Ever since last semester I've had this one meal that I make actually every week. It's a single pan meal with sausage, potatoes, carrots, and broccoli, and it's my favorite meal - it's healthy and filling. I started cooking when I was young. I really wanted to be a chef - that was going to be my big career that I wanted to do. I don't want to do that anymore, but I used to, so I guess that's why I like to cook. My mom's a really good cook, and she cooks a lot. I like to bake, too, which I learned from her. I usually make cookies, I like peanut butter cookies, and I can make a good banana bread.