Two-sport collegiate athletes endure the challenge of managing classes, homework, practice and everything else that goes on in a regular college athlete’s world – but with twice the commitment.
Idaho senior Katelyn Peterson, an outside hitter on the Idaho volleyball team and a high jumper on the track and field team, said that when she began her career as a two-sport collegiate athlete, it was a challenge because of her school work, but she soon became accustomed to the workload.
“Both coaches (volleyball coach Debbie Buchanan and track and field coach Tim Cawley) have been real supportive, understanding and flexible,” Peterson said. “There really hasn’t been any issues and I don’t really worry about it now. I’m almost done with one.”
The Idaho volleyball team’s senior night is against Eastern Washington – the leader of the Big Sky Conference North division – at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Memorial Gym. Four seniors – Tineke Bierma, Meredith Coba, Jenna Ellis and Peterson – will play their final regular season match at the Memorial Gym that night.
After 24 games this season, Peterson has already earned 242 kills (2.69 per set) – a personal best for kills in a season. She made the 900-kill club against Idaho State Oct. 24 in Pocatello.
Peterson said this season started off rough as Idaho faced opponents like Hawaii, Oregon State and Washington State.
“We started off a little bit inconsistent and trying to figure things out,” Peterson said. “A few games in, we started to have good momentum and good chemistry and we’re just having a fun year.”
Peterson said Idaho’s season turned around after the Vandals lost three straight conference games.
“At that point we felt something needs to change,” Peterson said. “We hate losing and we had to fix things. So at that point, I think we really felt the sense of urgency to make a change.”
Idaho started its season with a 3-0 loss against then No. 18 Hawaii Aug. 28 at the Chevron Rainbow Wahine Invitational in Honolulu.
Peterson said her highlight of the season was playing in that invite, and that facing those tough opponents helped the team become more competitive.
“We played them real tough and just being in that environment, we came out so strong,” Peterson said. “When you’re in those intense situations and when you’re challenged, it kind of shows you what kind of team you are in those situations.”
Peterson will enter her third season competing on the track and field team. She said she has been training since last summer for the upcoming season.
“I worked really hard to be in real good shape and tried to maintain that throughout the season and keeping my goals for track in mind,” Peterson said. “I’m definitely focusing on volleyball for the moment but excited for the future as well.”
Last season, Peterson earned Big Sky Conference indoor and outdoor first team in the high jump.
As for Saturday, Peterson said she hasn’t thought about her final home game as an Idaho volleyball player.
“It’s gonna happen either way and there’s bright things ahead of me in the future,” Peterson said. “It’s not really a daunting task to be the last game and we’re just focusing on the same things we always do – not approaching it any differently.”
Luis Torres can be reached at [email protected]