Female Hot Shot winner: Kayla Widera, Mitchell
Prior to her seventh grade year, Widera didn’t even know what a volleyball looked like. It wasn’t until her friend, Payton Murchie, convinced her to come to a volleyball summer camp that Widera got introduced to the game.
“I definitely did not want to go but I got talked into it,” Widera said. “I went kicking and screaming. By the end of the camp I was hooked.”
Widera played junior varsity as a freshman but by her sophomore year she was making an impact. She helped Mitchell to a 24-6 record and a region final appearance. This season, the junior is the team’s top middle blocker and server. At 6-foot, she is tough for opponents to deal with on the front line.
“Kayla plays loose and unafraid,” Mitchell coach Keith Paulk said. “When she gets loose and rolling there is nothing the other team can do to stop her.”
Mitchell is 12-1 this season, with the only loss coming in the season opener at Sunlake. Widera is part of a solid junior class that includes Murchie. The two have played together since that fateful camp in seventh grade.
With Widera on the front line, Mitchell is hoping for another deep run in the playoffs. If the season so far is any indication, the Mustangs have a good shot at perhaps getting some revenge against Venice, last year’s region final opponent.
“Our goal is to get back to where we were last season and this time beat Venice,” Widera said. “We want to get to the state final four. I think our team is good enough, and if not this year then we’ll do it next year.”
Why she won: Widera played a key role in the Mustangs’ district win over Springstead last week. She had 14 kills and two aces in a 3-0 sweep. In Game 2 against the Eagles, she served the final five points to help the Mustangs come back for a 26-24 win.
Have an athlete who should be considered for our next voting cycle? Email hometeam@tampabay.com.