Written by Sports Information Student Assistant Christina Capadona
BEREA, OHIO -- Baldwin-Wallace College senior volleyball defensive specialist Kate Kost (Fairview Park/ Fairview High School) knows what it takes to be number one. But she also knows she has only one more year to play her favorite sport. And, as the saying goes, "old habits die hard".
While in high school, Kost played in one of the most compertitive and successful programs in the state of Ohio. Since coming to B-W, Kost has helped the Yellow Jacket program reach new heights. Two years ago, as a sophomore, Kost at the B-W women finished 25-10 overall and won the school’s first-ever Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament title and then advanced to the NCAA Division III National Tournament. Last year, Kost and the Yellow Jackets were 29-6 overall tied for their first-ever OAC regular season crown. The 29-6 mark was the second-best season in school history in terms of winning percentage.
Individually, Kost, a defensive specialist, enters her senior year with 1,414 defensive digs and is 280 digs shy of tying Regan Pore ’00 for first all-time in school history in that catagory. In addition, Kost’s 572 digs as a sophomore ranks sixth all-time in the OAC in a single season and was 27th nationally in Division III that year.
She has been a key player in the back row for four years. But when the previous rotation process took place and Kost would have moved toa front row position, she used to take a seat on the bench. That will not be the case in 2002.
This fall, Kost will be playing the newly created libero position. The libero is a new back-row position adopted by the NCAA that gives a player unlimited replacement opportunities. The only drawback is that the player is unable to serve, attack or set inside the attack line. With Kost as its libero, both the player and team benefit.
By being the libero, Kost will see additional playing time which will make B-W stronger defensively. Individually, Kost will have more opportunities to record digs which will help her toward the goal of breaking the school record. She is ready for the challenge.
"I’m really excited", said Kost. "I can’t believe this is my last volleyball season, I’ve been playing for 13 years. I am looking forward to making it my best season."
Kost is also excited about playing the libero position.
"The new libero position will give me the opportunity to play more," said Kost, a sport management and business administration major. "I hate just sitting there watching, I want to be in the game and playing an active role and helping my team win."
An extremely hard-working athlete, Kost has never experienced a real off-season.
"I run everyday", said Kost. "We have open gym and I play in sand volleyball leagues. It is just alot of fun playing volleyball. That is why it is so hard to believe that this is my last college season."
Kost’s athleticism and leadership qualities are impossible to overlook.
"She’s amazing", said veteran Head Coach Vicki Brault. "She is consistently intense and one of the most competitive athletes I’ve ever coached.
"Kate has developed leadership, poise and maturity during her career," said Brault. " She works hard every day and always finds ways to improve herself in volleyball and in other areas such as academics and involvement on campus. She sets a great example for our younger players. This will be her second year as a team captain."
As a captain, Kost has high expectations for the 2002 team.
"This will be the strongest team I will have played on at B-W," said Kost, who is one of five starters returning. We have outstanding returners and a strong recruiting class coming in. Our goals will be to win both the regular season and tournament Ohio Athletic Conference championships and make it to the NCAA tournament."
So, what does Kost plan to do after her final season of volleyball and then graduation in the Spring of 2003?
"I would like to go to graduate school in sport administration and earn a Master’s degree," said Kost. "That would also give me an opportunity, if I find the right situation, to be a graduate assistant coach in volleyball."
And the beat goes on.........
275 Eastland Rd.