Alief Taylor's Kearstyn Spears
However, her skill-set began production long before stepping onto varsity as a sophomore.
“I’ve played volleyball since I was about four years old, and joined AAU when I was nine,” she said. “So, I’ve been in the volleyball industry for almost all of my life. One of the things that I’ll take from this high school experience is probably the chemistry I’ve built with my teammates, and the ones I’ll have in the future.
“The actual skills I’ve learned throughout from my coaches is something else I appreciate, especially with the amount of time they’ve dedicated to my development.”
2024-25 Alief Taylor VolleyballJamey Wright (VYPE)
Said development could lead to this senior Lion finding herself on a collegiate court someday.
“I just visited Dillard University (New Orleans), and I did like it,” said Spears. “So, I’m going take that route, and hopefully make my way towards a scholarship to play there. In terms of a career, I want to enter nursing school.
“At Taylor, I’m in the Health Science program and we do clinicals at the local hospital, so I’m very interested in that pathway. I know that’s a tough field to get into, especially if I’m going to be playing volleyball, which means time-management is going to be big for me.”
If that wasn’t enough to prove how multi-talented she is, Spears undertakes an additional hobby on the side.
“During my free time, I like to bake,” Spears said. “I can make a few dishes, but I usually tend to stick with desserts. My best is my ‘monkey-bread’ – a type of banana bread – that I make when I can.”
But, back to volleyball.
While Taylor has gone through somewhat of rough patch in recent years, a change in scenery with a new district, paired with the mentality that Spears shares with her teammates could prove to be the definitive factor in their return to the postseason.
“It’s definitely going to take some hard work and determination,” she said. “As a team, I don’t think we were confident enough and I feel like we just gave up too soon. But, this is my senior year. I don’t want to go winless in the district again. Therefore, we need to work hard for it.”
The first serve will be here in an instant, so expect this group to make their case to re-enter the district conversation with the leader it needs.
