ATHLETE PROFILE KILEY POWER

Volleyball player talks about being a student athlete.

Mattingly Kreider COMMUNICATOR

Kiley Power is a student and athlete playing volleyball at SFCC. She primarily is a setter but sometimes can be found in the back row as the teams libero

Kiley grew up in the small town of Colville Washington, later moving to Cheney Washington her senior year of high school. Going to school in Spokane has been a change

“I’m definitely more of a rural, small town kind of person. I do love all the things that you can do here.” she said.

Kiley got an early start on her volleyball career. “I basically popped out and was playing volleyball. My mom played, and guided me the whole way. We played the same position. It has been nice to have her as the one person I could turn to for support when I wasn’t understanding what I was doing.” she said.

“I would highly recommend it for anyone who has the opportunity to play after highschool, It is freeing in a sense. . . At a university there is a lot of competition and not a lot of court time, at junior college there is so much court time, and a lot of opportunity to grow and learn with that.” She said.

“I don’t know what it is about Junior colleges, but it feels like home. It is more personal. It is a great stepping stone into the real world.” The dynamic of the volleyball team is uplifting and encouraging.

“We only have 12 girls, there is a lot of one-on-one time with the coaches, it is encouraging to play here.” she said.

“The environment is awesome. I don’t want to say perfect, but it is really close!”

Student athletes do it all. From work, friends, family and school, finding an even balance is crucial for success. “Time management is a huge responsibility in student athletes. You have to learn how to prioritize.” she said. Kiley expressed her need

Kiley discussed the opportunities that she found beneficial playing for a community college. to find time to focus on herself. “I love solitude. Recently I went up to a sunset lookout spot on the south hill, I sat and listened to my worship music and had a moment of stillness. Those little moments allow me to reset myself and reset my priorities.” she stated.

“Mentally, psychologically, you have to do what makes you happy. In the end it will make you a better person, student, and athlete if you can find time to prioritize your well-being.”

Student athletes are young, vulnerable, hard workers who on a daily basis are striving for the best when it comes to their athletic life and academic life. “With our generation we are known to just shove our thoughts and feelings under the rug, especially as a student athlete. We juggle so many things and are supposed to be okay and ready to perform 24/7.” she continued

“I think it is important for student athletes to know that your feelings are valid. As athletes many feel like they have to mask their emotions. Our sports are almost always our comfort space.”

She goes on to talk about personal experience.

“For me when I see that ball nothing else matters, all worries go away, which can honestly be a bad thing because we then are not dealing with our issues in a way that is always a healthy manner.” she stated.

The impact volleyball has had on her life is unlike anything she could have imagined.

“Volleyball has made me an all around more versatile person. It has helped my character, my coping mechanism. My eyes have been opened to so many different perspectives. . .I didn’t fully realize how big mental health was and how effective it was going to be on my playing ability. Mental health is so important and made me realize that I want to work in a field centered around it.” she said.

“Volleyball has also allowed a lot of genuine relationships. That has helped me be more open to others and their different perspectives. Being diverse is important, our team on the Falls brought a lot of girls from many different places.” She continued,

“I honestly could say that if I didn’t do volleyball, I wouldn’t be the same person I am today.”

As far as the team goes for next year, expectations of a fun, lively group of girls ready to leave it all out on the court and win is high. “ Last year the sophomores gave us a really good foundation to be leaders. This year the 3 of us sophomores were able to find a good flow with our freshmen. It allowed them to see the way we should treat and respect girls younger. A lot of the time with sports there is a toxic, entitlement, seniority way of thinking but we did our best to make the team one. ” she said.

Teammate Sydney Kinch, who is a freshman on the team this year had many positive words to say about one of her captains Kiley.

“ Kiley was an amazing role model for us all. She is the kind of person who leads by example, and she did that very well this season. I remember thinking wow, this girl means business” she said.

Kiley made it clear she couldn’t have done this alone.

“My mom and my family have helped me and supported me for years. They don’t miss a game. My high school coaches, And of course my coaches this year and trainer Travis, have helped me mature a lot, in every mental and physical aspect” she said.

Head coach Taylor Stewart had many kind words to say about Kiley.

“It was a pleasure to see her grow with all the roles that were thrown at her this year. . . She is one of the hardest working athletes that I’ve had the opportunity to be around and coach, possessing that incredible growth mindset, and is an even better human who always leads from her heart.” she said.

Jeff Gregory | PHOTOS Kiley waves to the crowd at sophmore night