Get to Know ... Sarah Kirkwood

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Tampa, Fla., native Sarah Kirkwood will close a stellar career this week, when the Virginia volleyball team plays host to Duke (7 p.m. Wednesday) and Wake Forest (7 p.m. Friday) in Memorial Gymnasium. Kirkwood, the first Academic All-American in program history and a Rhodes Scholarship finalist, has set three career records this season in kills, attack attempts and service aces.

Nickname: Sar-Bear
Family: Two older sisters, Emily and Allison. Emily played volleyball at UVa and Allison swam at Stanford University. Mom, Karla Kirkwood, is an academic/college planner. She basically is responsible for any positive thing I have ever done. Dad, Peter, is a lawyer. Smartest guy I know.
Childhood heroes: Macaulay Culkin (as Kevin) in “Home Alone”
Favorite food: Anything from Outback Steakhouse
Magazine subscription(s): Fitness Rx, Women’s Health, gossip mags
Last book read: Not sure, but the first book I ever read was “Billy Goats Gruff”
Favorite superhero: Steve Spurrier
Dream car: I want a private jet to eliminate my travel complications
TV show you never miss: “Dr. 90210”
Hobbies/interests: Watching infomercials and ESPN, working out, Arch’s ice cream, Nordstroms
Favorite charity: Gates Foundation
Favorite vacation spot: Bald Head Island
First job: Camp Sunshine with Taylor “T-tott” Russo
First pro sports event you attended: Probably a (Tampa Bay) Bucs Game
First time you started playing organized sports: Red Rockets softball team with both of my sisters and my dad was the coach. I think I could barely walk.
Most famous person you have met (where and when): Dave Mathews in the CVS in Barracks Shopping Center.
Best thing about Charlottesville: Great food and UVa’s not bad either
Favorite spot on Grounds: My Lawn room
One thing about you that would surprise most people reading this: People often tell me that I am the dumbest smart person they know.
In 10 years, what do you hope to be doing: Benefiting society
Greatest sports moments: Winning state in high school for the third time. Attending the 1996 Olympic Games.
Greatest invention of the last 100 years: Long jeans