VYPE Featured Athlete: Kelly Pawelka
HOW DID A SOPHOMORE RECEIVE THE DISTRICT 15-6A SETTER OF THE YEAR AWARD?
In volleyball, a setter is the quarterback of the team. They run the offense, know the intricacies of their teammates and bark orders as the coach on the floor.
A sophomore?
Klein Cain’s Kelly Pawelka was just that sophomore, who emerged as one of the city’s top signal-callers and passers last season.
“I was born to be a setter,” she laughed. “I’ve grown up playing volleyball my entire life. It’s something I need to do. I love it and I’m always working to get better.
“To be honest, though, I was really surprised at my season. I didn’t think I would do anything that big. I had great support from my team and my coaches, and I grew in the sport so much. I took on a lot of roles as an underclassman.”
With that valuable experience at such a young age, Pawelka continues to find ways to improve her game as she builds her resumé.
“I’m working on becoming a true leader on the court to will us to success,” she said. “We can do big things this year. My biggest goal early on is to learn where my new hitters like to be set. We have a completely new team and I have to build great chemistry on the court.”
She even sounds like a veteran, right?
In actuality she’s still just a kid who loves the music of Mac Miller, Ross Lynch and J. Cole, and gets lost in the off-beat, comedy-drama Bojack Horseman on Netflix. She dreams of playing volleyball at the University of Houston and hangs with her friends and family in her free time.
But at the center of her life is volleyball.
“I love the competitiveness of the sport,” she said. “But mostly, I’ve made such a big circle of friends, who now feel like family, through volleyball. I just can’t see myself outside of the sport.”
Best Public Schools in Texas
Klein ISD has an established 84-year history of excellence and innovation in education with unique pathways for EVERY student in our care to ensure learners are college, career, military, and life ready. With recognition for STEM, athletics, fine arts, and academics from highly-esteemed organizations, it is clear that Our Shared Vision of every student entering with a promise and exiting with a purpose is a reality for EVERY student who walks through our doors.
About Klein ISD
Klein ISD is a school district in Klein, Texas, located in northwestern Harris County. The district spans approximately 88 square miles and serves more than 53,000 students in 33 elementary schools, 10 intermediate campuses, one high school program of choice, and 5 high schools.
Help Us Share Your Story
There are so many incredible individuals in the Klein Family making a lasting impact on our community. We want to recognize and celebrate our leaders and learners that are cultivating talent, building relationships, reimagining learning and making Promise2Purpose a reality daily. Share your story here: https://kleinfamily.net
