After the Vandal volleyball team lost many of its core players that carried them to one game away from a Big Sky Championship last season, the team retooled by bringing in some freshmen with high skills and confidence.
Idaho freshman middle blocker Kyra Palmbush has started her Vandal career showcasing why she can become one of the next Vandal greats.
Playing volleyball since she was in middle school, Palmbush’s motivation comes from not making her seventh grade volleyball team and working hard to prove those who doubted her wrong.
“I played through all of high school and came on my visit to Idaho and absolutely loved it.” Palmbush said. “The team just has such great chemistry and all the girls love each other.”
Idaho Head Coach Debbie Buchanan said she has been surprised by Palmbush’s impressive start.
“Kyra (Palmbush) has had to step in and play a pretty big role,” Buchanan said. “She has handled it well.”
Leslie Kiebert | Argonaut
With Idaho featuring almost a new team with the return of only two seniors, Palmbush said it is on her and the fellow freshmen class to continue guiding the Vandals to success.
“It is about coming together and finding that leadership role since we are so young.” Palmbush said.
One of the senior leaders for the Vandals, senior defensive specialist Delaney Hopen, had nothing but praise for the freshman middle blocker.
“I love Kyra (Palmbush) so much,” Hopen said. “She is so aggressive and confident in herself and you can really tell that when you play next to her.”
Palmbush doesn’t have an easy job on the court. The middle blocker is an extremely fast paced position to play with many different aspects for athletes to think about all at once.
“Starting as a freshman, especially as a middle, the learning curve is huge,” Hopen said. “She has had to learn so much and she works so hard every single day.”
The transition from club volleyball in high school to college can be a difficult adjustment for most freshmen.
“It is a completely different game because it is faster, it is more physical, and our season run longer,” Buchanan said. Palmbush is working hard to make the transition feel seamless by pushing herself to be the best.
“We have to work on getting better every day,” Palmbush said. “We need to focus on the little things and have the confidence to do our jobs.”
Volleyball isn’t just about confidence, the mental part of the game is just as important. Palmbush always makes sure her teammates stay calm, cool and collected.
“If we aren’t doing well in a game, she will get us all to come together,” Hopen said. “That makes me feel really good as a leader when a freshman is able to communicate how she feels.”
Leslie Kiebert | Argonaut
Buchanan said she is confident Palmbush will continue to progress in a positive manner throughout this season.
“Even in the past few weeks she is looking better,” Buchanan said. “She has had good offensive and blocking numbers and we just have to work to get her the ball more.”
Palmbush has enjoyed the level of competition the Big Sky Conference offers and believes Idaho can once again be in contention for the Big Sky Championships.
“We know how to play and we deserve to be here,” Palmbush said. “We are just coming for that confidence to be great.”
Buchanan continues to push her team to take risks and reap the rewards.
“You have nothing to lose right now, it is many of these girl’s first years and they will learn from mistakes,” Buchanan said. “We are going to make some errors from being aggressive, but the only way that we are going to grow is by swinging and pushing them.”
Palmbush is not afraid to swing either, leading the team in points this season at 185.
“These girls who are young aren’t going to hit their full peak until their last year here,” Buchanan said. “She is just going to keep getting better.
Palmbush has just began her time as a Vandal, but with the support from her teammates, the ceiling continues to grow for the young star.
“She is going to go so far,” Hopen said. “I’m so happy she is here.”
Connor Swersey can be reached at [email protected]