Athlete Profile: Kayla Pecore

BOWLER — The Bowler High School volleyball team has been in a groove on the court over the past couple of weeks, turning in strong showings in a pair of tournaments and in Central Wisconsin Conference-North Division play. Senior Kayla Pecore has played a big role in that success.

In the Panthers’ championship win at the Suring Tournament on Sept. 21, Pecore totaled seven attack kills, seven digs and four aces. Despite a loss to Manawa on Thursday, Pecore recorded 12 total kills.

The senior also helped Bowler go 3-0 at a quad at Phelps High School on Saturday. Pecore finished with 10 total kills against Hurley, six kills against Phelps and six kills and five digs against Watersmeet (Mich.).

“Kayla Pecore is a crucial element of our team,” said Bowler volleyball coach Brad Brei. “She has great instinct on the court, with great court awareness. Kayla has stepped up her leadership role this year and helps the underclassmen. Kayla has pretty good hops for a 5-foot-7 girl, allowing her to play larger than she really is.”

Q: When did your interest in volleyball begin?

A: My interest in volleyball started my fifth grade year. The girls in the grade above us didn’t have enough girls to play, so our school changed the rule to fifth grade when you could start playing sports. I didn’t really, really get into until maybe my eighth grade year.

Q: What is your favorite part about the volleyball season?

A: I would have to say my favorite part of the volleyball season is making memorable moments on and off the court with my teammates. There are so many stupid, funny things that happen on the court, in practice, on the bus and even in the locker rooms.

Q: Your team really put together a strong week of volleyball, culminated with a first-place finish at the Suring Tournament. What led to all the success on the court in a short amount of time?

A: Well, the attitudes of everyone really changed around and we were all on the same page. We want to win and not just lose all season. We were playing as a team.

Q: What will be the key to sustaining or improving that level key play as the season rolls on?

A: The key to sustaining this level of key play will be to keep our differences off the court and work with each other. They key to improving this level of play is to keep pushing one another at practice to get better and keeping bringing each other up and not down. Teamwork is what makes the dream work.

Q: How did you prepare for the volleyball season?

A: How I prepared for volleyball season was staying a half hour or an hour after practice working on what I needed to. Or even during our summer league, I put my mind to it and was really figuring what I needed to straighten out before the season started.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Bowler volleyball team?

A: The teams throughout my four years and my coach who never stopped pushing me and telling me what I needed to hear, even if I didn’t want to listen.

Q: What are you going to miss most about high school volleyball?

A: The excitement of accomplishing something you’ve worked on for so long in practice. The enjoyment of seeing yourself and teammates around you accomplish big things and just get better throughout the season.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not in school or competing in a high school sport?

A: I enjoy going to the Mohican Family Center and playing basketball or working out. I enjoy hanging out with friends and going to work. Just your normal teenage things.

Q: Favorite TV shows and movies?

A: My favorite TV show would have to be “Riverdale” or “Rick and Morty.” My favorite movie would have to be “Crybaby,” one of Johnny Depp’s first movies.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: I’m a hoarder when it comes to memorabilia things, such as concert tickets, wristbands or gift cards.

Q: What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever been told?

A: Move on. Dwelling on things never helps or make the situation better.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: After high school I hope to attend college and become something in the counselor/psychologist area.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Kayla Pecore

Sport: Volleyball

Positions: Multiple spots

School: Bowler High School

Year: Senior