by Trina Walker
Maturity and focus make Makenna Gilland a force to be reckoned with on the court.
This Cache High School senior says volleyball taught her to be a leader, how to uplift
people, and even how to communicate better.
“The best advice anyone has ever given me is that even though you missed that last
pass, last set, last hit, or that last serve does not mean you lost the game,” she says.
“There are 24 other points to a game, and it just so happened that the last one was on
you, but it does not mean all 24 others were.”
Being on a team is like family. “I am passionate about my sport because I like to be a
part of something. It is fun to be on a team, meet new people, and make new friends.

“Mercedes Crandall, who graduated last year, has left the biggest impact on me. I have
looked up to her since I started volleyball and she has been my inspiration to work
towards being libero,” Makenna said.
Makenna has come a long way since joining the team in eighth grade. “I had been
wanting to play volleyball but I was actually too scared to, but when my eighth grade
year came around I decided to give it a shot,” she says.
Her favorite teacher is Mrs. Robinson who taught her in both second grade and high
school. Makenna says, “she cares about each and every one of her students, and it
shows.”
Makenna thanks her parents for always supporting and rooting her on. Her
grandparents for coming to every game they can make, and for being her biggest
cheerleaders. She also thanks her teammates for being the best she could ask for.
In addition to volleyball she is also involved in Student Council, Beta Club, Partners
Club, FCCLA and plays soccer.