Adams a Key Force for Surging Lady Horns Volleyball Team
Fayette Co. Record’s Athlete of the Week
A Weekly Feature by BRIAN PIERSON
Read about our Athletes of the Week in every Friday edition and then watch their interviews on the FCR’s Facebook page.
Recent Players of the Week:
Aug. 12 – Kobe Burton, Flatonia Football & Track Aug. 19 – Hailey Hill, La Grange volleyball Aug. 26 – Kynley Hurst, Fayetteville volleyball Sept. 2 – Tess and Jill Eilers, RTC Volleyball Sept. 9 – Eleanor Carey, La Grange Cross Country Sept. 16 – Kenny Schramek, Schulenburg football Sept. 23 – Kieryn Adams, Schulenburg volleyball Schulenburg junior volleyball player Kieryn Adams is a multi-sport athlete who provides top-notch defense on the court and uses her veteran experience to her advantage. Adams currently leads the team in digs and assists, being a vital part to the Lady Horns ball club throughout her two years as a starter on varsity. “She’s the quarterback of our defense,” said Schulenburg head volleyball coach Donald Zapalac. “She’s responsible for getting us in the right space, taking all the big hitters biggest shots when they hit crosscourt, especially. That’s where we have her positioned so she can take a lot of those shots. On defense, she’s our energy person. People feed off of what she does. When she makes a great play, gets on the floor and gets a ball up, it’s pretty difficult to do. Our offense will feed off of that. She’s our libero, she’s supposed to be our number one passer, and that’s what we want her to be. We enjoy having her out there. She does a really good job for us. She’s athletic, that’s the other part too.”
Adams’ key contributions on defense and as a leader has made her our choice for this edition’s Athlete of the Week.
Question: What have you and your team changed about your approach in order to get in this mid-season rhythm?
Answer: “Towards the beginning of the season, we weren’t doing the best and we kind of came in and talked about what we could change to make our team better. We’re just clicking better and the team morale is a lot better, so I’d say that’s a big thing that has led us to win as many games as we have.”
Question: Why would you say defense is so important in volleyball?
Answer: “For back row players, if you keep giving the other team balls, they’re gonna keep killing it and it’s easy points for them. You’re in the back row digging balls and playing good defense, then it’s hard for the other team to score. It makes them think smarter and harder about the shots that they have to make.”
Question: How does Texstar volleyball compare to high school ball?
Answer: “Both are very competitive and I’m thankful to be a part of both teams. Texstar really pushes me to be the best volleyball player I can be. I Adams, see some of the toughest competition in Texas and face some of the toughest competition in Texas. It really pushes me to be a better athlete.”
Question: What do you like best about being a libero?
Answer: “I like to think that I can run the defense and set up our offense. It’s rewarding whenever I get a good pass and my setter can get a good set and we get a kill. It just speaks for the team and helps bring energy.”
Question:What motivated you to become a multi-sport athlete?
Answer: “I grew up being a multi-sport athlete. My dad played multi-sports whenever he was in high school. So did my mom. My sister did as well. I just really looked up to them and wanted to follow in their footsteps.”
Question: Out of all the sports you play, which one do you enjoy the most and why?
Answer: “Definitely volleyball. It’s just really competitive and I get to work with my team, especially if I have a bad day, I can look to them to lift me up and make up for my mistakes. It’s just really fun to work as a team and play together.”
Question: Where’s a place you’ve always wanted to go and why?
Answer: “I like the beach, so definitely a tropical place. Probably Bora Bora. That’s been high on my list.”
Question: What’s your favorite meal?
Answer: “Probably steak and mashed potatoes. That’s a good meal to have.”
Question: What’s something interesting about you that a lot of people may not know?
Answer: “I was actually born two months early. I was supposed to be born in July and I came out in May.”
Question: If you had to convince someone to come visit Schulenburg, what kind of things would you say?
Answer: “I would say that it’s very small town, but the support that we get from the community is something that not many teams or communities get. It’s a very well-loved environment and something that you should come visit.”
Adams has a great understanding of sports and it shows during competition.