Kayla Rowan is a senior on the Cassopolis volleyball team.

 

What has been one of your greatest accomplishments as an athlete?

KR: Beating Brandywine in the volleyball district semifinals last year.

What has been one of your biggest disappointments as an athlete?

KR: Losing in the volleyball district finals last year to Bridgman.

What has been a hardship in your life?

KR: Having patellar tendonitis and Osgood Schlatters disease in both knees

Who is a “hero” in your life and why?

KR: My mom for putting me through travel ball and always making sure I have what I need to play my sports, no matter the cost.

When are you the most nervous while you are competing?

KR: The start of the game makes me the most nervous because I do not really know what to expect yet, but as the game goes on the nerves calm down.

Describe an embarrassing athletic moment.

KR: At our first tournament I was following a ball out but could not move in time and got hit in the face by a serve.

How do you tend to workout/train when by yourself?

KR: My little sister and I do drills at home sometimes just to fix something or just to get better.

What other sport would you like to compete in if you were not playing yours?

KR: Other than volleyball I compete in basketball and softball.

Why are sports an important part of a high school experience?

KR: Sports are important because they teach you how to be a part of a team and how to accept wins and losses with dignity.

How would you give away $50,000?

KR: I would give it to a sports medicine program because it is such an important thing to have people there in case of an injury.

If you could be the head coach of a team for a year, what team would you choose?

KR: My little sister’s eighth-grade volleyball team, because I love working with them and love helping shape the next future athletes of our school.

If I did not play sports, I would…?

KR: Most likely be showing horses along with my little sister.

What is the most challenging thing for you to do in your sport?

KR: Jumping is always a big challenge for me due to my knee problems.

If you could change one rule about your sport, what would it be?

KR: I would not change anything. All of the rules are pretty fair.

What is the best compliment you have ever received?

KR: My seventh-grade volleyball coach complimenting me on how much I have improved, because when I was in seventh grade I was not very good.

What was the scariest thing you have had to do? Are you glad you did it?

KR: Keep playing sports even with my knee problems, knowing that in the future it will probably affect my life in more bad ways than I want it to. I am happy I keep playing though because it is what I love to do and something I hope to keep doing after high school.

What was the last thing you saw someone do that really impressed you?

KR: We lost our setter last year and our libero stepped up and started setting for us.  I am really impressed with how well she has adjusted to the change and with how good she is setting for us.

What is your favorite hobby? Why?

KR: Sports. They keep me active and make me a better person in so many ways.

Choose one word to describe yourself:

KR:Athletic.