Porter Playing a Leading Role for H-K Volleyball
It all started with a tryout in 8th grade, and it was a moment that proved pivotal in Kate Porter’s life, because it sparked her love of volleyball. Kate has committed herself to the sport ever since and parlayed her dedication into becoming a key player at Haddam-Killingworth.
Kate started playing volleyball in 8th grade alongside her older sister and joined H-K upon arriving at the high school. Last year, Kate earned All-Shoreline Conference First Team and All-State Second Team honors for the Cougars. Now in her final campaign, Kate is showing that she can shine as both an athlete and leader as the senior captain has 129 kills and 157 digs for Haddam-Killingworth, which owns a record of 15-3 despite enduring several injuries during the first half of the year.
“I started volleyball and fell in love with the sport and loved everyone on the team. In my freshman year, the juniors and seniors took me under their wing, so I’ve tried to do the same as captain this year,” says Kate, who plays both setter and hitter. “Last year, it was upsetting losing in the Shoreline Conference final, but I think since we were a young team, the game got into our heads. We thought we would be on point to start this year, but we had so many injuries. Everyone is slowly coming back, and the way everyone has been working together has helped us as a team.”
Kate saw a light at the end of the tunnel when the Cougars were dealing with their injuries. In the process, she found out what it means to be a leader in the face of adversity.
“The seniors want to win a title this year, and we also want to get back what we lost in Shorelines last year,” Kate says. “I learned that I can’t get down on myself. I have to shake off mistakes. One mistake is just one point out of so many in a potential five sets. I tell the girls to just do your job and play your game.”
As one who craves a challenge, Kate loves pushing herself to the limit to see what she’s made of. Along the way, she’s learned a lot about her like-minded teammates, while absorbing the ins and outs of the court.
“I know I’m shorter than most players at 5-foot-5, but I like to challenge myself. I like going against the norm. I push myself to be better every day. If I make a mistake, I’ll take the blame to keep everyone’s head in the game. Everyone around me having a positive attitude in the game has helped make me the person I am,” says Kate. “If I have a few bad steps, I’ll go back to the basics. I’ve had so many different coaches in five years with volleyball and experiences with different players, but from that, I learned different ways to adjust and ways to place the ball.”
H-K’s Head Coach Robin Callender says Kate is always eager to give her teammates a boost of confidence, yet remains a model of modesty.
“With Kate, a coach gets the whole package, from athleticism to dependability. She is both coachable and goal-oriented achiever,” says Callender. “Kate has the ability to generate confidence in her teammates. That was proven when we had three starters missing with injuries in several matches. She reassured those who substituted in that they could do it. She leads by example and is well respected because of her determination, dedication, and desire to lead this team to be the most competitive team H-K can be. Her stats are amazing and, instead of letting that get to her head, she takes it in stride, modeling great sportsmanship and a humble attitude.”
With last year’s conference final loss providing a little extra motivation, Kate feels there’s no way that H-K is going to come out the 2017 postseason empty-handed.
“We have so much talent on this team and, with that talent, there’s no reason we can’t win it,” says Kate, who thanks her family, teammates, and friends, along with Callender and H-K assistant coach Sandee Moyher. “If everyone plays smart and together, then there is no reason why we can’t take it all.”