Volleyball Player of the Year: G-K's Kayla Reno
DOUG DROWLEY; For The News Tribune
“Keep your eye on the ball” is a common phrase used by coaches.
Graham-Kapowsin senior volleyball star Kayla Reno doesn’t always follow that advice.
The News Tribune’s All-Area Player of the Year sees things happening on the court and can adjust to the changing circumstances in a split-second.
“I’ve never seen it before,” Eagles coach Loni Parks said. “It’s almost like she doesn’t even look at the ball when she’s going to hit. She’s watching the defense.”
Take the SPSL South championship game against SPSL North champion Auburn Riverside on Halloween.
“I saw the middle rotate over (to join the block),” Reno said. “I was going down the line. So, instead I went angle.”
Good play, great result.
But how is that single decision so remarkable? Reno went through that entire process all while she was in the air with the ball already set toward her.
“It just feels like it’s forever,” said Reno, who will play at the University of Montana. “I can just see things.”
As talented as she is, Reno’s instincts are a product of hard work and repetition.
She was among the SPSL’s statistical leaders this season in kills with 204, a kill percentage of 34.1, 21 blocks and 155 digs.
“It’s very rarely that she gets blocked,” Parks said. “But even when she does, the next time she knows right where to go.”
Reno’s somewhat unorthodox swing also may help with the deception of her hitting. The 5-foot-10 Reno doesn’t employ what is considered the most technical attack position. Her arm swings in an almost roundhouse-like motion.
But it is quick – very quick at times.
That allows Reno to hit the ball where she wants.
“I guess I do kind of bring it around,” Reno said. “It’s not something I ever noticed until people started telling me. Then I watched film. But my arm swing works for me. Why change it?”
And she booms the ball.
“Volleyball is about the show,” Curtis coach Jeff Grosshans said. “It’s about those big hits. Kayla does that, and she’s an awesome kid.”
Grosshans would know. Reno has played with many of his Vikings for the past three years on the University Place club team.
Reno’s path to excellence has mirrored Graham-Kapowsin’s.
“It’s been a three-year process,” Parks said. “Her sophomore year, we didn’t quite get to districts. Last year, we didn’t quite get to state. This year, here we are.
“And Kayla is a coach’s dream. Everybody teases me because this is my first head-coaching job and I get a kid like Kayla. She’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of player.”
Growing up, Reno initially thought her future would be in another sport as she enjoyed playing basketball and softball.
But as she grew, volleyball claimed her focus. Her club matches began to interfere with softball in the spring, so she buried her spikes in the closet. She still plays basketball and will be turn out for that sport when third-ranked Graham-Kapowsin ends its volleyball season this week. The Eagles are one of the favorites to win the Class 4A state tournament at the Toyota Center in Kennewick on Thursday and Friday.
“I just want to live in this moment,” Reno said.
So does her coach.
“You have to cherish the time you have with her,” Parks said. “It’s hard to explain. Kayla is just one of those kids that does everything right.”
blog.thenewstribune.com/preps
THE NEWS TRIBUNE'S 2009 ALL-AREA VOLLEYBALL TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kayla Reno, Graham-Kapowsin, senior
COACH OF THE YEAR
Kara Peterson, Black Hills
FIRST TEAM
Brooke Bray, Auburn Riverside, MH, senior
SPSL North MVP is a two-time all-area pick and will play at Montana.
Lisa Chulich, Olympia, OH, senior
Narrows League MVP guided Bears to district title match, state tournament.
Emily Cotter, Curtis, OH, senior
WWU commit is a two-time all-area pick. Helped team repeat as WCD champs.
Taylor Dillard, Fife, S, junior
Co-MVP of Nisqually League led Trojans to league title, dished 589 assists.
Deedra Foss, Lakes, S, senior
Lancers’ catalyst has team back at state; will play at Colorado State.
Samantha Hutchinson, Curtis, OH, senior
Two-time all-SPSL South hitter will play at Western Washington University.
Kailah Lenz, Black Hills, MB, senior
Evergreen Conference MVP comes up with big blocks, will play at Saint Martin’s.
Kristyn Ross, Capital, OH, junior
WCC MVP set Capital’s all-time record for kills (580) with a season remaining.
Allie Schumacher, Puyallup, OH, sophomore
First-team all-SPSL South player blasted more than 400 kills for Vikings.
Megan Triggs, Olympia, L, senior
Missed part of the season with pneumonia, but is the area’s best at her position.
HONORABLE MENTION
Ellen Andersen, Stadium, OH, jr.; Brooklyn Bradbury, Auburn Riverside, S, jr.; Erin Campbell, Kentwood, OH, jr.; Ariel Fralick, Puyallup, S, sr.; Kayla Gower, Emerald Ridge, MH, sr.; Anna Guenther, Gig Harbor, Opp., sr.; Isia Johnson, Auburn, OH, so.; Kajsa Knapp, Curtis, OH, sr.; Katrina McClaflin, Tumwater, L, sr.; Jessica Miller, Fife, OH, jr.; Maddy Miller, Gig Harbor, S, sr.; Li Murphy, Annie Wright, MB, sr.; Ally Patterson, Kentwood, OH, sr.; Sarah Stoker, Olympia, MB, Sr.; Gatalina Schuster, Timberline, S, jr.; Rachel Warick, Black Hills, OH, sr.; Shelby Woodson, Graham-Kapowsin, L, sr.
