Although the Varsity Girls Volleyball game was a lengthy one, the Tuesday, Sept. 17 match was a memorable night for senior and captain Kiana Mark. With spectators on the edge of their seats, Mark calmly hit the ball over the net, getting her 1,000th kill in her high school career.
“I was really nervous coming into the game because I was hoping that this kill would be a good kill,” Mark said. “The set was 20 feet off the net and I didn’t even jump, so I just tumbled the ball over. I found it funny that it was my 1,000th kill, but a kill is a kill and I had to celebrate.”
Following the hit, Mark’s friends, family and teammates raised decorated posters with joy, counting from 999 on posters to 1,000 with balloons. Unaware of the post-game celebration her teammates had planned for her with balloons and tiaras, Mark emphasized how her teammates’ crucial role in reaching this record.
“I have to give a lot of thanks to the setters and passers for trusting me as a hitter,” Mark said. “We have a new team every year and [our success] shows our connection as a team. I can’t just get the kill alone. I need my teammates to get a good pass and set it for me, so it’s really cool that I was able to do that 1,000 times.”
Going into the volleyball season her junior year, Mark suffered an ankle sprain, ending her season early due to a fracture found later into the injury period. Mark says she’s appreciative of athletic trainer Myesha Taylor.
“I worked a lot with Ms. Myesha after my injury last season and she was really helpful to me,” Mark said. “Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to recover fast enough to come back for the season ended, but club season was in the spring. I worked really hard to start playing in the back row and to play back in the front row.”
Along with her injury, Mark says she went through another pivotal change her junior year, since many starters had graduated. Mark made it her goal to make sure that her new teammates were valued and comfortable with the team’s dynamics. Jenna Bergendahl, a junior and defensive specialist on the team, attests to Mark’s success, explaining how her leadership ultimately contributed to this milestone.
“Kiana’s leadership sets a really good example for her teammates,” Bergendahl said. “She is also very connected to the team and spends time getting to know each of her teammates. She definitely ties the team together and brings the energy.”
