Being an underclassmen playing sports at the varsity level is rare, especially in a sport such as volleyball, where the number of spots on the team are limited. Kara Steele, sophomore, has played varsity for two seasons in addition to playing club year-round and helped KHS girls’ volleyball to their district title this previous weekend.

Steele plays a major role in the dynamic of the team, playing all around the court, as both a setter and a hitter. This means she also plays for the majority of the minutes of each match. This year she led the team in assists, blocks, aces, serving points and was second on the team for kills.

“Some people would think I’m sort of a leader on the team because I’m kind of always out on the court,” Steele said.

Julie Goodmann, head varsity volleyball coach, decided this year to let Steele try playing multiple positions, and it turned out a great move for the team.

“I believe Kara grew a lot this season,” Goodmann said. “Last year she only played front row and this year played all around. She impressed us every match, getting better and better each game.”

The team ended the season 20-11 after winning the district tournament and losing at sectionals. They were the second KHS squad in the past three years to win districts.

“It felt good to win districts just ‘cause we haven’t done it many times in the history of kirkwood volleyball, so it was cool to do something special,” Steele said.

The team will lose only two seniors next year, so the majority of the team will return. Steele hopes to return as a key player next season and beyond.

“She is a player to watch in the next couple of years,” Goodmann said. “Kara is a very talented young player, [a] smart young woman and a player who loves to compete every day.”