A change of scenery provides senior varsity co-captian Claire Kister the chance to grow not only socially, but in her sports career as well.

As a Kerman farm girl, Kister began her volleyball career in the seventh grade, having limited knowledge about the sport.

?I started playing volleyball because I liked the uniforms,? Kister said. ?When I started playing at Kerman Middle School in the seventh grade, I didn?t even know how to serve.?

As the team maintains an undefeated record in league, varsity head-coach Shailey Jones recognizes Kister for her skill as one of the team’s outside hitters.

?She?s proven herself as one of the best passers on the team,? Jones said. ?In our last six games she?s led the team with the most digs.?

Kister’s teammates believe her stamina remains at the forefront in her ability to inspire others.

?She?s always out-going, always cheering us on,” Quinn Livingston, ?09, said, “and gives it her all on the court. She’s always happy.?

While spending her sophomore year on the varsity bench, Kister gained new appreciation for the team through engaging cheers.

?One time we were in the middle of a game and our team was getting aces,” Kister said, “so I decided to give a high-five to the referee. The other team didn?t quite understand what I was doing and thought I was bribing the ref.?

Coach Jones admires Kister?s liveliness and encourages her to utilize her vocal strengths to better her hitting technique.

?She?s always happy and full of spunk, which is who she is,? Jones said. ?Sometimes I tell her to grunt when she swings, because she?ll actually hit harder.?

As the case with most athletes, Kister decided to ban fast food and sodas before practice after realizing the consequences of practicing with unhealthy food in her stomach.

?My first time at a varsity practice sophomore year I bought chili-fries off John?s lunch truck,? Kister said. ?When we got half-way through our running, I got so sick that I barely made it outside the gym before I threw up.?

After three years of teaching Kister everything from spiking to digging, former Coach Larry Orender?s departure left the team in search of a new coach whose position Coach Jones filled.

?It was hard losing Coach O,? Kister said. ?He?d always let me get away with stuff and joke around with the team, however, Ms. Jones is a great coach and we all love her just as much.?

With hopes of becoming the next anchor for ABC 30 Action News , Kister opted for the coastal appeal of Point Loma Nazarene University to fulfill a major in broadcast journalism.

?I want to go to Point Loma because they have an awesome journalism program and because they have a beautiful campus.? Kister said. ?Fresno State would be appealing, but they don?t offer a major in broadcast journalism.

Kister remains enthusiastic about her last year on the squad, even though possible college play seems to be a farfetched position to attain.

?In the past, volleyball was sort of a joke to me,? Kister said. ?These last three years I?ve been playing to just have fun and be a part of a team, but senior year I?m playing to win.?

The girl?s volleyball team will next host Liberty on Oct. 16. For more information regarding the girls’ season check out the Volleyball sport shorts, 2007.