Kyla Hurley is a Sophomore on the Penn Volleyball team.
What is your favorite part about Penn volleyball?: My favorite part of Penn volleyball is the meaningful friendships I have made. The teammates I’ve met through the program aren’t just people I play alongside, but they’re like family. We push each other to grow, both on and off the court, and the bonds we’ve formed are something I truly cherish.
What made you want to be a part of the Penn volleyball community?: What drew me to the Penn volleyball community was the program’s competitiveness and knowing I’d be part of a team that works hard. Seeing the team make it to semi-state last year really solidified my decision, as it showed I’d be joining a group dedicated to pushing their limits and achieving great things. I wanted to be part of that drive and contribute to that legacy of success.
What would you say is a strength of yours on the court?: One of my strengths on the volleyball court is definitely being a vocal leader. As a defensive player, it’s always my goal to keep the communication flowing, making sure everyone is on the same page and ready to react. I believe that clear and constant communication is key to a strong defense.
How do you stay on top of academics while excelling in volleyball?: Balancing academics with high school and club volleyball is tough, but staying organized is key. I try to knock out homework during any downtime, and working on homework with my teammates before away and home games helps!
Can you give me an example of a challenge you faced in a set or game and how you overcame it?: A challenge I’ve faced in a set or game and how I overcame it was during our regional match, where we lost the first two sets. Instead of getting discouraged, we used it as a chance to refocus and elevate our game. The key to our comeback was a combination of communication and maintaining a positive attitude on the court. By staying positive and communicating effectively, we managed to reset and win the next two sets. This secured our place in semi-state and highlighted how teamwork and a positive mindset can really turn things around, even when facing an initial setback.
What are some goals you hope to achieve in your future volleyball career?: My future goals revolve around playing Division I college volleyball, driven by my deep love for the game. The extra work and reps I put in are pushing me to become a better player for my team and for my future. The passion I have for volleyball fuels my determination to become better, and I’m committed to pushing my limits to contribute to a competitive college program. It’s the love for the game and dedication to improve that keep me motivated to reach my full potential.”
If the team and you are struggling in a set or game, how do you keep their spirits high?: A way we keep our spirits high in a low match is working together as a team, not as individuals. Ways we do that are communication before, during, and after points, and positive body language.
What’s your mindset before stepping out on the court?: My mindset before stepping on the court is to go all out for my team. Last year during sectionals, my teammates and I all wore finger tape to write ourselves reminders we want to see during a game, and many of us wrote each other’s numbers or names to remember to play for each other.
In what ways have you grown as a player from freshman year to sophomore year?: I’ve grown in many ways in just a year. I feel I’ve gotten stronger and more explosive from the weight training we do with Coach Cates. I’ve grown more as a person individually because I’ve made many friends and I’ve made a close bond with my coaches!
How do you maintain your physical and mental health as a dedicated athlete?: I maintain my physical and mental health as an athlete by knowing what I want. I know I want to play Division I, so I want to go to practice and get extra reps, but I also know I need to keep my grades up and work hard in the classroom as well. So I would say wanting to get better every day is what keeps me going with my mental and physical health.
