Collegian.com
MONday, November 11, 2019
Vol. 129, No. 26
Challah, superheroes: 12th Shabbat celebrates Jewish pride Best-selling rabbi author talks Stan Lee and Jack Kirby at 4-course Shabbat dinner
By Matt Bailey @MattBailey760
“One of the best things that happened to her in this program is that she’s really embraced the weight room and the strength side of things,” Hilbert said in an interview with volleyballmag. com. “She has a great arm, and she developed a lot more fluidity as an athlete.” Ever since Hillyer joined CSU, she has been inspiring fans and teammates with her abilities.
A group of people shared a meal together Friday night, partaking in tradition, culture and prayer in a community setting and — maybe unexpectedly — learning a lot about Stan Lee and superheroes. Attracting a group of approximately 200 Colorado State University students and Fort Collins community members, the 12th annual Shabbat 200 event was held in the Main Ballroom of the Lory Student Center and featured guest speaker rabbi Simcha Weinstein, bestselling author and chair of Pratt Institute’s Religious Affairs Committee, and guest of honor Joyce McConnell, president of CSU. “Shabbat is a time at the end of the week to pause, to breathe,” said Melissa Terry, president of Chabad Student Jewish Organization, who helped with marketing, planning and logistics for the event. “All week, we’re human doings. Shabbat is a time to be a human being, to spend time with our family and friends, to take a step back, reflect,
see HILLYER on page 16 >>
see SHABBAT on page 4 >>
Kirstie Hillyer (13) celebrates after scoring a point against the University of Oklahoma during the Aug. 31 White Out game. Hillyer went on to receive the Mountain West Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week for the first time for her performance Oct. 7-13. PHOTO BY DEVIN CORNELIUS THE COLLEGIAN
Tall, talented, tenacious: Meet CSU volleyball’s Kirstie Hillyer By Angel Cooper @angelcooper05
A great team is no better than the sum of its parts; Colorado State University volleyball is no different. The Rams are nationally ranked No. 13, and nobody can find a way to stop them. With a 23-game win streak, both offense and defense have come easily for the Rams. But somebody has to be working the middle, and Kirstie Hillyer has been a key piece for
the Rams on both sides of the ball, ranking in the top 10 in points scored and blocks in the conference. Hillyer has been stellar this season for CSU, receiving Mountain West Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week for the first time this season for her performances from Oct. 7-13. CSU went 2-0 that weekend, with two sweeps over conference foes San Diego State and Fresno State. Hillyer’s ability to see over
the net is crucial to her success. Standing at 6 feet, 6 inches, she is the tallest player on the CSU volleyball team. To put her height in perspective, she is three inches taller than the tallest player on the CSU women’s basketball team: redshirt sophomore Lauren Brocke, who stands 6 feet, 3 inches tall. Coach Tom Hilbert believes that a lot of Hillyer’s achievements come from her use of CSU’s athletic training programs.