Today, Bethany University senior Kim Feigles is the women’s volleyball team captain. But the honor didn’t come easily for Feigles, who overcame many obstacles before finding success on the court.
Feigles, the only senior on this year’s squad, grew up in Shingle Springs. Her passion for volleyball started in middle school, but she hit a brick wall when she failed to make the team.
The frustration pushed her to work hard, however, and she made the team at Ponderosa High School as a freshman. In four years, she proved herself to her peers and coaches and became a team captain as a senior.
Fast forward to the present.
Kim is now a senior in college, majoring in business. She has played on the university’s volleyball team all four years, stepping up to the role of captain during her junior season.
“Over the past four seasons, Kim has evolved from a wide-eyed, ‘go-to’ freshman to the contributing senior leader and steadying influence on and off the court for her teammates,” coach Reed Duffus said. “Along the way, she has selflessly adjusted to positional changes and new teammates, balanced her academic and various leadership roles on campus and has embraced her role as the senior co-captain.”
The past two years, Feigles has led the team, demonstrating her skills on the court and leading by example. Her actions on and off the court have proven to teammates that she is a leader and mentor.
“I feel like it’s been a roller coaster — we’ve had good and bad years,” Feigles said. “Each year is completely different, because of the different mix of girls.”
Her goals this year include a top-three finish in conference and a shot at the Cal-Pac championship.
With eight games remaining, the team is 2-2 in the Cal-Pac and prepping for the conference tournament in November.
Feigles’ advice for future players is to go into the game with an open mind, as well as a willingness to change and grow. After her final season, Feigles said she’d love to coach, but she is unsure at what level — if she decides to do so.
“I enjoy coaching, but not as much as I enjoy playing,” she said.
