by Trina Walker
Lessons learned playing volleyball go beyond athletic ability for Kayla McCracken, a senior at Cache High School. Her entire perspective of the game changed when she was told, “the strength of the team is each individual member, the strength of each member is the team.”

Maintaining strength for the team means that health matters over everything.

“It does not matter how fun something is or how cool it is, your long term health is, and should be your number one priority,” she says, “when you find the teammates who are as competitive as you and have the same goals, you all succeed together as one.”

Kayla is driven by the adrenaline rush of volleyball but she found another passion that inspires her off the court when she joined Partners Club. “I get to hangout with the children who have severe and profound disabilities. Their exceptionalities range from autism to Down syndrome.

“The kids inspire me every single day, they teach me something new all the time and show me that no matter what battles they face, they get through every single obstacle with a smile,” she said.

Kayla met her favorite teacher, Ms. Anderson, through Partners Club. “Her job is nothing below tough, yet she comes in everyday with a smile on her face and shows nothing but love and respect for these kids,” says Kayla.

Representing Cache is an opportunity for Kayla to showcase her team showing that even small schools can have huge talent. Eight years ago Kayla could barely get the ball over the net. Today she is a leader on the court and a role model for other students.

Kayla is thankful to the role models in her life. “My freshman year I had the chance to be a varsity starter with my aunt, Gracie Williams, which was my favorite season. My aunt Gracie, whom I have looked up to my entire life now plays college volleyball for MidAmerica Nazarene University.

“I would like to thank my mother and father for always being supportive and giving me everything I need to succeed, and my assistant coach, Syndey Bolin, who has changed my entire mindset on the game for the better and brought back my love and passion for the sport,” said Kayla.