PHILADELPHIA - The start of the new school year brings the re-start of the GoExplorers.com “Getting To Know” series, which interviews student-athletes to get a closer look at their lives off the court or field.

This year's series kicks off by getting to know volleyball outside hitter Rachel Finkbeiner.  The sophomore has stepped into a starting role for the Explorers this season and was named to the La Salle Invitational All-Tournament team in August.  

What was your first impression of La Salle when you stepped on campus? Has this impression changed the longer you've been here?
My first impression was: “This is nothing like home!” It's changed a little, as in more things are less odd, but Philly and La Salle are still very different than Minnesota!

If you were stranded on an island, what one person would you want to be with and why?
Johnny Depp/Captain Jack Sparrow, who else could you possibly want to be stranded with?!

What would you do with a million dollars?
Pay off college loans, pay back my parents for all the money they spent on club volleyball, buy three vacation homes and donate some to the Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.

Do you have any special talents?
Being really klutzy! Oh, and I can water-ski!

What are your career goals?
They change daily because I want to do everything! But I'd love to write a novel someday.

Favorite volleyball or college memory so far?
While playing Canisius, making a block, and having it bounce off and hit a girl in the face.

What's your greatest accomplishment so far?
Volleyball-wise: Getting recruited to play D-1 volleyball and making the La Salle Invitational All-Tournament team.

Any other interesting facts about yourself?
I have three titanium rivets holding my skull together.

Either or:
Summer or Winter? Summer
Mountain house or beach house? Beach house
Red or Pink? Neither
Cat or dog? Dog
Life without TV or life without books? Life without TV
Backstreet Boys or N'SYNC? Backstreet Boys
Sunset or Sunrise? Sunset
Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla