Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kayla Walker

Kayla Walker is a senior setter for the Riverview High volleyball team. She is a captain and had 37 assists and six kills in the team's straight-set win against Alonso High (25-3, 25-9, 25-8) on Oct. 2.

When did you start playing volleyball?

I started when I was 9. My older sister (Kenzie Walker) played, and my dad (Dave Walker) was a coach. I wanted to follow in their footsteps. We are a competitive family.

What is the appeal of volleyball to you now?

The feeling of getting a good play. Winning, too. As teammates, we feed off each other. 

What is your best skill on the court?

Setting, definitely, but also I play good defense. I can scrap a little bit.

What are your goals for the rest of the season?

Just for this team to take things as far as we can. I want our season to end knowing we gave our all in the final game, whenever that comes.

What is your favorite movie?

I like "The Incredibles." I also like "Hacksaw Ridge," but that’s a sad movie.

What hobbies do you have?

I like to read. My favorite book is "My Sister’s Keeper."

What is a random fact about you that others probably don’t know?

I drive with my left foot up, on the side of the dashboard. That’s the first thing that comes to mind. (Laughs.) I do that probably 90% of the time.

What is the best piece of advice you have received?

My dad always says ‘You are only a leader if people are willing to follow you,’ and I think about that a lot. I’m a senior captain, people do look to me as a leader. I have to carry myself a certain way and consider what I have to do to make the team better.

When was the time you laughed the hardest?

I was in the kitchen with two of my friends (Emi Howell and Chloe Madden) and we were eating energy bars that she (Howell) had made, and they had dates in them. I had never had them before, but I said I liked them, and she said she usually makes them better. She tried to say the date ratio was wrong, but it came out ‘datio rate.’ I think you had to be there.

Finish this sentence: "Kayla Walker is … "

… A competitor. Someone who doesn’t give up and will work her hardest no matter what. That’s a part of who I am. I don’t get competitive for games, I am always competitive. In these stupid games in practice, I will go all out. I can’t help it.