‘Miss Volleyball’: Kristin Vaughn Emerges As Leader For Lady Warriors

by Janice Penix

There are many accolades an athlete can achieve in her career. But perhaps the most meaningful are those bestowed by her friends, the peers who surround her on the court, and who share the thrills of the wins and the agony of the losses with her.

When Kristin Vaughn was awarded the title of “Miss Volleyball” last year, it wasn’t her coaches who chose her. It was her teammates.

Lamar’s Miss Volleyball Award is selected by the players for a teammate who, according to the criteria, has a good attitude, is always prepared for and present at practice, uplifting of their teammates, stays out of drama, works hard to get better and encourages their teammates to do the same. They are respectful of their teammates and coaches and represent the volleyball team in the best light.

“Despite being a quiet sophomore, she has grown into a leader on the team,” LHS Coach Megan Brown said. “Kristin leads in the best way, through example. She has never brought a negative attitude on the court and I’ve never heard her complain. She gives me the nod, the ‘yes, ma’am,’ then gets to business. Kristin is reliable and a consistent calm for her teammates.”

Learning The Game

 Vaughn, who will be a senior this year, began playing volleyball two seasons ago, when Lamar added the sport to its lineup.

“I used to play basketball, but I wanted to try something different and volleyball seemed like a really good opportunity to do that,” she said. “Now, I wouldn’t go back and change anything. I love it. It’s something I always wanted to do, but Lamar didn’t have it until my sophomore year.”

She said the sport was virtually unknown to her before she signed up to participate.

“I knew almost nothing about volleyball, not very much at all,” Vaughn said. “But our coaches were so good, they got us working right away and I got into it pretty fast.

“We did practices and camps that first summer. It was definitely frustrating trying to learn something new and not being good at it right away. But I just kept working at it. The beginning was definitely tough, though.”…

 

Read the full story in the Aug. 7 issue of The Graphic, available online or in businesses throughout Johnson County and surrounding areas.