Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week: Katie King

Steve Virgen

After Katie King set 27 assists to lead the Newport Harbor High

girls volleyball team to a pivotal three-game win over Sea View League

rival Irvine Oct. 3, Sailors Coach Dan Glenn quickly realized the quality

of his senior’s performance.

“That was the best she has set in the three years I’ve had her,” Glenn

said.

King’s performance was the type of display that seemed as if she were

in the zone.

But King, who leads her life the opposite of her name of royalty,

regarded her performance as just the same as other efforts. This King is

humble, almost to a fault, and her top priority is o7 reallyf7 about

teamwork.

“I personally didn’t feel any different,” King said of the Irvine

match. “I think I approach each match the same. It was Irvine and it was

just another match for me to improve on. Every match is a chance for me

to get better and improve.”

Irvine also intensified the spirits of King and the Sailors. They knew

a victory over the Vaqueros would most likely determine this year’s Sea

View League champion. And, as Glenn said, King created excitement with

her dynamic performance.

She was in rhythm with fellow seniors Christine Woller and Liz Lord,

which carried over to the weekend when King made the most of those

opportunities to improve. Overall, King amassed 180 assists in four

matches (three wins) last week, an average of 45 per match, earning Daily

Pilot Athlete of the Week.

“We go as she goes,” said Glenn, who noted King is also making the

most of her senior year. “She’s getting stronger and quicker. She’s doing

a better job of running the offense and being a senior leader. All the

kids change in their senior year. She realizes she has one more shot. She

understands that and she’s one of those who says, ‘I’m going to give it

my best shot.’ ”

King certainly gave it her best shot in the Archbishop Mitty

Tournament, especially against El Molino, which was seeded No. 4. She led

the Sailors to a five-game upset with 85 assists, placing Newport in the

semifinals.

“We really stepped it up and kept the ball in play,” King said of the

win over El Molino. “We were all excited. Everyone was just having fun.

It showed how good we really can be. We learned a lot about ourselves in

this tournament.”

The Sailors finished fourth in the tournament after losing to

top-seeded and state power Archbishop Mitty. King collected 32 assists in

that match and she used the loss as more motivation for the rest of the

season. With memories that are highlighted by a CIF Division I state

championship that came when she was a sophomore, King wants to create

more memorable moments before season’s end. She says it’s not all about

winning, though. It never has been.

“I really value the coaching here a lot,” King said. “There is a lot

of stuff I have learned, personally and about life. I met some nice

friends, I’ll treasure that a lot. I made some valuable friendships that

I think will last a long time.”

King said she has created more friendships this year because of

younger sister and teammate, Kellie, and her friends. Though she assumes

the role as the mature leader, she still enjoys herself with the younger

players. Yet, she had advice for them that she said will prepare them for

their years at Newport.

“Coach Glenn is smart,” King said. “I would advise everyone to take

what he has into consideration because he knows how to be successful.”

Before, King leaves Newport she’s also looking to make the most of one

more important match for her and the Sailors. She wants another shot at

Back Bay rival Corona del Mar. She’ll have that opportunity Nov. 2 at

3:15 p.m., when Newport hosts the Sea Kings.

“Every match is important, but this one is kind of this rivalry we’ve

always had,” King said. “We always look at Corona del Mar as an important

match.”