Senior Kat W. Signs on to Play Volleyball at SUNY–Plattsburg

We are delighted to recognize and celebrate Kat W. ’23 on her decision to play NCAA Division III volleyball at SUNY-Plattsburg as she joins a growing group of Foxcroft graduates playing NCAA sports.

From English Department Chair and Volleyball Coach Steve McCarty

What a great day for the Foxcroft volleyball program! Kat is the first player in my time to move forward to play at the collegiate level. I know that she has the skill sets and, more importantly, the work ethic and drive to succeed in this next step.
While they cannot be here today, I’d like to recognize Kat’s parents, Todd and Michelle, for providing the many opportunities for Kat to get to this point. A college athlete doesn’t just happen. It requires a massive sacrifice of time and resources from parents and family, such as driving from match to match and funding camps and programs. I’d like to thank Coach Ashley for being here as well. We are really co-coaches — they only call me the head coach because I write the reports and drive the bus — and Ashley has been a great help in developing Kat’s volleyball IQ.

I have many ways to describe Kat as a volleyball player. The first is “graceful.” If you’ve ever watched her play, you should know what I mean. If you’ve ever seen photos of our volleyball matches, you should know what I mean. Kat’s jump serve is almost the most-photographed thing on this campus, second only to the cherry blossoms. In order to have such fluidity on the court, a player needs to have high volleyball intelligence. You need to know not only where you are supposed to be, but also where your teammates are supposed to be (even if they don’t). Volleyball moves along the x, y, and z axes, and Kat’s big, STEM-y brain is able to take them all in at a moment. I imagine the inside of her head looking a lot like Iron Man’s internal display panel. What seems like instinct is really the result of a dozen decisions happening in the span of five seconds. How does one get to this level of high achievement? 

“Practice!” It’s almost like Kat invented the word. She shows up first and leaves last. While many of us were snug in our beds on Saturday mornings this year, Kat was up in the pre-dawn hours, driving to volleyball tournaments. 

Kat is a true competitor. Every time Kat stepped on the court, she expected to win. She gave everything that she had. If we were in a tough match, she would come to the sidelines after the third set looking like a squeezed orange, but she always had just a little more to give. She kept asking if we could play Flint Hill — state champions and undefeated the last two years. Kat wants to be the best, and she knows that to be the best, you have to play the best.    

Kat will have a lasting legacy at Foxcroft. Her achievements on the court are apparent. She set the school record with 206 kills this season. Her point differential — the gap between points earned and points lost — was a whopping +94 this year. She changed the way her teammates played, but also how other teams played us. All it took was the thud of one of Kat’s blocks and her teammates saying “Roof!” for our opponents to realize that path was not open. They would have to find another way to beat us. 

But Kat was not just a player who had an impact on a season — she had an impact on the program. One of Kat’s leading characteristics is her strong leadership presence. One team member said that “Kat is a leader both on and off the court and she prioritizes the needs of her teammates.” Another teammate said that she “was always open to helping us.” She led by example and never asked more of her teammates than she was willing to give herself.

While it is hard to say goodbye to Kat, I’m glad to know that she is entering a program that is ready to have her and help her grow. Coach Healis, the head coach for the Cardinals, said, “We are so excited to welcome Kat to Cardinal Country. She will play a big role in both our offense and defense this coming season. We can’t wait to see the impact she has on our program. Congratulations, Kat! See you in the fall! Go Cards!”

And so help me wish Kat good luck on this next step on her academic and athletic journey. I extend thanks and gratitude to her parents and all the coaches, teachers, teammates, and friends who have supported her along the way. Go Cardinals, go Foxcroft, and go Kat!
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An all-girls boarding and day school in Northern Virginia, Foxcroft prepares young women in grades 9-12 for success in college and in life. Our outstanding academic program offers challenging courses, including Advanced Placement classes and an innovative STEM program. Our premiere equestrian program is nationally recognized, and our athletic teams have won conference and state championships. Experience the best in girls' boarding schools: visit Foxcroft.