According to the latest statistics, more than 800 million people play volleyball worldwide. For Kyla Waiters, volleyball is more than just a popular sport; it’s a safe haven. Kyla has always been an athletic kid since she was young. From playing recess activities such as kickball to playing multiple sports, Waiters saw that she had a calling in the sports field and detailed how she had always been an athletic kid. “I started in gymnastics and ballet until about seven years old,”  Kyla states. “My mom told me I’d be too tall to be competitive; so it became about my coordination, posture, and athleticism.” While Waiters participated in multiple sports such as basketball and soccer, she realized neither sport was fun for her as she wasn’t a fan of the running part or being outside of the Texas heat. Soon after, Kyla moved to California and got more involved in different extracurricular activities such as karate. “Karate was my first sport,” Waiters explains. “I started (karate) when I was still in elementary and I even won first place in the championship at my first karate tournament; but, I only got up to the orange belt since I got more involved with theatre arts and music lessons.” By the time eighth grade arrived, Kyla had taken a chance in partaking in volleyball after watching a Long Beach State Women’s Volleyball match and soon fell in love with the sport. “I happened to watch the Long Beach State’s Women Volley team play with girls that I met and I fell in love with it,” Kyla describes. Waiters soon began to take the sport seriously as she started to see potential in herself as well as see herself playing in the long run. As high school came around, Kyla played her junior year at Mater Dei High School in California, earning Second All-County Honors by the Orange County at the Register. After her junior season at Mater Dei, Waiters transferred to Reagan High School in Texas and made an immediate impact as she was named both Under Armour All-American and 6A First Team All-District team in her senior year. Outside of high school, Kyla was a part of the number one club in California Tstreet Volleyball Club, where they won 3 gold medals and tied for 3rd at Junior Nationals in 2016 and went on to secure bronze at the Triple Crown NIT, Junior National Qualifiers, Windy City Junior National Qualifiers, and West Coast Cup in 2017. as well as winning a pair of gold medals in the Sand Soul Beach Tournament in 2016. 

After an emotionally draining collegiate career, Kyla explains the transition from her previous Volleyball experience. “It was tough for me to adjust from being a nationally ranked volleyball player, starting on teams winning gold medals playing with wonderful teammates and successful coaches to being on teams at the bottom of 2 conferences, dealing with mentally abusive coaches, and misguided teammates,” Waiters states. Kyla began her collegiate career at Oregon State University (OSU). During her freshman year at Oregon State, Waiters explains the experiences at Oregon State that took away her love for the game as the head coach made false promises, emotionally abused her, and refused to renew her 4-year scholarship. While volleyball was something Kyla enjoyed, mental health and well-being always came first. After one year at Oregon State, Kyla transferred to the University of Nevada. During her sophomore season, Kyla played in 18 matches, which included a season-high of five points and four kills against Southern Utah. Overall that season, Waiters complied 13 kills and averaged 0.72 per set. In the 2020 season, the NCAA called off all sports tournaments in response to COVID-19. Before her junior season was cut short, Kyla improved her game in the five sets she appeared as she recorded 17 kills including a season-high 11 kills against Fresno State and averaging 3.40 per set. The 2021 season would be one that Kyla solidified why she’s a legend in the making. In the 29 matches she started, Waiters recorded a season-high of 15 kills against San Jose State and 11 digs against Wyoming. Overall that season, Kyla secured 267 kills, 291 points, and 42 blocks for Nevada. In May, Kyla went on to represent team USA in the 24th Annual Deaflympics. After a triggering start to her senior season, Kyla decided to medically redshirt for Mental health reasons. “I never thought this is how my collegiate career was gonna go. I decided to redshirt because I think all the disappointment and trauma from the past 4 seasons caught up to me my senior year. I needed time to focus on my mental health and to grieve the volleyball career I was hoping for.” With one more year of eligibility, Kyla hopes to be an advocate for student-athletes, struggling as well. As a student-athlete, Kyla knows firsthand the challenges and expectations of juggling books and athletics. While books and sports are both priorities for student-athletes, Waiters expresses the importance of taking care of yourself, mindfulness, and mental health. “It’s a constant awareness of responsibility, expectation, and both my wants and needs, you know?” Kyla states. Waiters is reminded by her mother about the importance of mindfulness and mental toughness, especially at competition events during her high school years. Over the years, Kyla has played against some of the best volleyball players in the country, won her faith share of medals, and most importantly, received emotional support from family around her. Waiters experience the lessons learned by standing on her own and learning how to work with different personalities while working through the academic expectations simultaneously. One thing for sure is that Kyla is reminded of how her mother’s teachings have helped her along the way at school. “I have a mother that keeps me grounded and I am mindful of her sacrifices to get me here,” Waiters exclaims. “I take ownership of my actions, my decisions, and my life. That’s the only way to handle my priorities.” As an advocate for mental health, Kyla reminds us that it is essential to talk to someone that is trustworthy and our well-being comes first. “Figure out how you can do what makes you happy,” Waiters states. “Don’t let anyone intimidate you or guilt you out of putting yourself first.” While sports have been a huge part of Kyla’s life, she knows that it is just a springboard for her life and that sport doesn’t define her entire life. 

Currently, Kyla is majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations along with a minor in Communications as she sees the study of both her journalism major and her communications minor as being impactful in sports. “My education has helped me learn to communicate more effectively,” Waiters described. “Many of the concepts that keep people from forming healthy and fulfilling relationships, I have learned how to identify, avoid, and not emulate and this is on or off the court.” As she learns new ways to cope during her collegiate volleyball career, Kyla finds the honor in her light through communication, which has helped her with sports and life. 

Kyla sees the growth of volleyball continuing to increase as it is considered one of the best team sports in the world, especially for women. With the upcoming NCAA Volleyball tournament coming up this year, you definitely can depend on more people tuning in to see the games as the viewership for the 2021 NCAA Volleyball Championship resulted in 1.2 million watching the match. It was the most-watched women’s college volleyball match ever on ESPN. While there are professional volleyball teams overseas, Kyla hopes to see an established national sports league for volleyball in the United States as there are still ways to go for media coverage for the sport. Waiters competed in the 24th Annual Summer Deaflympics this past May for volleyball. As an official Deaflympian, Kyla aspires to inspire other aspiring deaf and hearing athletes to compete and the possibility of more coverage and opportunities for deaf and hearing athletes to showcase their talent. 

Every person has someone that they look up to as their inspiration. For Kyla, there are two people that she cites as her role models: her mother and University of Texas volleyball legend, Destinee Hooker. Waiters credit her mother for being the role model in her life as well as her biggest supporter and best friend. “She’s (her mother) taught me so much,” Kyla describes. “I don’t know where or who I would be without her. I’m grateful for all the sacrifices she made to get me where I am today.” Destinee Hooker is considered one of the greatest athletes to come out of the University of Texas sports program as she was a dual athlete in both Track & Field and Volleyball for the Longhorns. As a fellow volleyball athlete and Texas-bred, Kyla looks up to Destinee as an inspiration for her game. From one legend to another, Kyla is destined to become one of the greatest.

Health is wealth, especially in the aspect of sports. Waiters advise two things for future athletes that aim to take their talents to the next level to go for it and stay grounded. From trying out on the team to joining a club team, Kyla points out that forming relationships with coaches and teammates along with working through your passion are both critical to the physical aspect of the sport. On the other hand, sports are always going to have a mental impact on how you play the game or respond to situations. Yet, Waiters explains how staying focused on your passion is important. “Don’t take other people’s issues with you personally,” Kyla exclaims. “You will be tested mentally, physically, emotionally, and will have to make sacrifices.” Waiters also express that there will be times that you have to evaluate situations that you are put in and determine if it’s what you want to take your game to the next level. 

Kyla’s story demonstrates that no obstacle is too big or small for anyone; especially when it’s something that involves what you love to do. When asked what makes her story stands out, Kyla responds with confidence and grace: “I learned that I had a 55-decibel hearing loss when I was in the third grade and I never let it stop me from trying “normal” things.” From playing sports at the highest level to being multi-talented in the arts (music, painting, writing, etc), Waiters have found that there’s no limit to finding a passion outside of sports and being great both on and off the court. 

Earlier this year, Beautiful Ballers announced Kyla as an official athlete and is the first volleyball player to join the squad. Waiters express her excitement about the news and explained her decision on joining the team. “I have always admired how they (Beautiful Ballers) highlighted so many talented and beautiful athletes,” Kyla states. “I’ve always wanted to be a part of a community where women like me could support and encourage others while inspiring and connecting with the community that also supports us. I can’t wait to see where my future with Beautiful Ballers journey takes me.”

To learn more about Kyla and her story, be sure to follow her on Instagram: kylawaiters