U-M Student-Athlete Spotlight: Alli Kothari
3/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
On Jan. 28, U-M added five student-athletes to its third recruiting class, bringing the class to 14 players. The additional five players will now be featured in a student-athlete spotlight, breaking down the future Wolverines, on and off the field. [ Release ]
Alli Kothari is a three-time varsity letterwinner (2012-14) and will lead The Shipley School (Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania) as a second-year captain this spring. In addition to playing club and high school lacrosse, Kothari has also trained with the U.S. U-19 team.
As a junior, the right-handed goalie finished her season with 104 saves and was voted a US Lacrosse All-American, First Team All-Friends Schools League and First Team All-Main Line.
As a sophomore in 2013, Kothari broke The Shipley School's records for saves in a game with 20 and saves in a season with 233. She received first team All-Friends School League and second team All-Main Line honors for her efforts.
In 2012, she recorded 114 saves during her freshman campaign, helping The Shipley School to a 14-8 record. Following the season, Kothari was named Shipley's Most Improved Player and garnered All-Main Line honorable mention accolades.
Kothari competed for Phantastix club team. In addition to lacrosse, she also played varsity soccer as a freshman and sophomore and varsity basketball as a freshman and junior.
ACCORDING TO ALLI
 | Alli Kothari Goalie Ardmore, Pa. The Shipley School |
What attracted you to the University of Michigan?
"I was attracted to the University of Michigan for many reasons. First, it is internationally known for its stellar athletic and academic excellence, so I know that everything I will do at Michigan will be top notch. Second, the moment I got to Ann Arbor, the amazing school spirit astonished me. There is no other place like U-M in the world, and I am so honored to have the chance to attend in the fall."
What are your thoughts about continuing to help Michigan build its women's lacrosse program?
"Building the lacrosse program at Michigan is very exciting to me. I'm going into this experience with the mentality that we will be competing for a national championship during my time at Michigan. I have complete faith in the coaching staff and my future teammates in all regards."
What do you like about Michigan/Ann Arbor from what you've seen so far?
"Ann Arbor is the best college town I have seen. Everyone is full of Michigan pride and that really excited me."
What is your favorite lacrosse moment of all-time?
"My favorite lacrosse moment of all-time has to be sophomore year we were playing a league game that decided if we were going to the playoffs or not. We had a one-goal lead, and in the final seconds, one of their attackers was fouled and sent to shoot an eight-meter. The attacker made eye contact with one of her teammates that was right next to the cage, I saw that, and when the whistle blew I jumped into the passing lane and intercepted the ball. That was a great feeling."
How did you first get involved in lacrosse?
"I had just quit swimming, and my dad and I were driving past a local high school while we were talking about my decision to stop swimming. We saw the high school girls playing lacrosse and my dad said, 'how about that sport?' That season I started playing."
Do you have any talents or hobbies that you're willing to share? If so, please explain.
"I'm good at picking things up with my toes."
Who is your role model, and why?
"My role model is my 99-year-old great grandma, Jean Tocko. She has lived the most difficult life of anyone I have ever met, but no one would ever know, because she is always so positive. She has taught me modesty, appreciation and to always look on the bright side."
What do you enjoy doing when you're not playing lacrosse?
"I like to hang out with friends and family when I'm not playing lacrosse. I also love spending lazy days watching movies or binge watching TV on Netflix."
Favorite food ... Pizza
Favorite band/artist ... Beyoncé
Favorite movie ... The Blind Side
Favorite TV show ... Prison Break and One Tree Hill
Favorite book ... The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Favorite subject/class taken ... Math
Favorite professional athlete ... Rafael Nadal
Favorite place to visit/vacation ... Westhampton Beach
Favorite sport besides lacrosse ... Basketball
Favorite holiday ... Thanksgiving
• Previous Spotlight: Maggie Handlan
