calinda k.

Five words you can use to describe yourself on the court?

1. competitive
2. focused
3. driven
4. aware
5. energized

Five words you can use to describe yourself off the court?

1. hardworking
2. engaged
3. eager
4. flexible
5. motivated.

Describe how you work in a team with your partners.

While working in a team, I believe that I am one piece of a large pie. I have a strong bond with my teammates, and I encourage them to be the best they can. I make sure that my teammates know that they can rely on me for support in times of need, and I build strong relationships with each one of them on and off the court. I like to take on the leadership role in team and group situations, but I do so while working alongside my teammates to reach a common goal

Athletic highlights and how you felt when you received them?

• 2020 Team Ontario Red Indoor (16U)
• 2020 Team Ontario Beach
• 2020 MVP Smash Raiders 15U Jr. High-Performance Team
• 2019 Beach Provincial Champion 13U D1T1
• 2019 Beach Provincial Bronze Medalist 14U D1T1
• 2019 Canadian Beach Nationals 5th 14U D1T1
• 2019 Team Ontario Regional Program Silver Medalist
• 2019 Indoor Canadian National Silver Medalist 14U D1T1
• 2019 Indoor Provincial Bronze Medalist 14U D1T1

Each time I’ve had one of these athletic accomplishments, I’ve felt incredibly honored to have such a great partner/team and coaches and that I’ve gotten the opportunity to be the best I can. I have had some great success in volleyball, but I don’t let it go to my head because I know that there is still so much that I can improve on.

Involvement in other sports or extracurriculars. Why is it important for you?

This year due to Covid-19 all sports teams and extracurriculars at school have been cancelled, but last year I was involved in multiple sports teams and clubs including football, basketball, rugby, volleyball, track and field, the activity council, preschool helpers and the global issues group. I believe that being involved in various teams and clubs makes me a more well-rounded person, and allows me to meet people outside of my primary sport.

What are your interests outside of sports? Why do you like them?

I’ve always enjoyed travelling with my family. I love it because it’s a great opportunity to take a break from my busy schedule and spend time with the people I love the most. I really enjoy seeing new places, trying different foods learning about different cultures and lifestyles.

Who are your role models and why?

My role models are Sarah Pavan and Becky Zeeman. Sarah has been my one of my biggest role models since I was a kid because I’ve always related to her in a lot of different ways, and she has succeeded on the world stage in both indoor and beach volleyball–which I also hope to do someday! Becky Zeeman has been my beach coach for the past two seasons. Coach Becky has taught me so much about the game, and has helped me develop not only as an athlete, but as a person.

Academic highlights and how you felt when you received them.

Some of my academic highlights include: 2020 Honour Roll, 2019 Honour Roll and the 2019 Koetsch Stahlschmidt award for the highest average in my class. Receiving these awards, I felt very proud and excited that my hard work had been acknowledged

What program would you like to attend in school?

I haven’t decided what I’d like to study after high school, but I’m potentially interested in health sciences, business or psycholog

How do you envision your school life in college/university?

I envision my time in university to be filled with some of the best experiences of my life! I hope that I can attend a university where I could receive a volleyball scholarship. I’d like to be somewhere where I can find a good balance between volleyball and school. I’m excited to someday be able to play the sport I love, and to study a subject I’m passionate about while being an active and involved member in campus life and the community.

2020 Ontario Volleyball Schedule: 

DUE TO COVID-19 ALL TOURNAMENTS POSTPONED 

I started playing volleyball when I was 7 years old. My older brother was participating in a Learn to Play program, so my parents signed me up too. Volleyball seemed to come naturally to me, and I loved playing it! At age 9, I decided to try out for the 12U Cambridge Scorpions team (playing a year up), and thankfully, I was selected. I made it my goal to improve as much as I possibly could. By the end of my first season, I went from being on the B-line to being on the A-line, and I received the 100% Scorpions Award for my dedication, hard work and teamwork. The following year, I stayed with Scorpions and played on their 13U Team, still playing up a year. We won silver at 13U D1T2 Provincials which was very good, but I knew I still wanted to improve more.

So, the next season, I decided to switch to a different club called Hamilton Smash. I was on their 14U team, still playing up a year. They were ranked #1 in the Province, and I was very grateful to have been able to make that team. In Ontario, we start playing specific positions at 14U. Originally, I thought I would be an outside or a middle, but everyone on that team was a good hitter, and we didn’t really have a setter. My coach had told me that I had the best hands, so I stepped up and volunteered to be the setter. I enjoyed being a setter because I was able to control the game, and I liked being involved in every play. That season, we won bronze at 14U D1T1 Provincials and silver at 14U D1T1 Canadian Nationals, and I received the Ontario Volleyball Association Award of Excellence. That summer, I was selected for the Team Ontario Regional Program. I stayed with Smash again the next season, and was on their 15U Junior High-Performance Team (still playing up a year). I was able to play left side that season which was my preferred position. I was Team Captain, and I was chosen for the MVP award at the end of the season.

Unfortunately, the 2019-2020 season got cut short due to Covid-19. During quarantine, I made both Team Ontario Indoor (Red) and Team Ontario Beach programs. I spent a lot of time doing strength and conditioning, and doing technical training–on grass. I wanted to continue challenging myself, so in the fall of 2020, I switched clubs again which brings us to now. I currently play for Halton Hurricanes 16U Category 6 (still playing up a year). They are one of the best teams in the Province, and the Halton Hurricanes Volleyball Club is known for producing the top teams in the Province at multiple age levels. Though our season has been different this year due to COVID-19, it has still been great, and I have been improving a lot! I continue to love volleyball more and more every year I play!