Kaia Barnett: A setter. A leader. A name to be remembered.
Normally, you don’t hear me saying anything about myself in these articles, but this calls for a special circumstance. I’ve been wanting to write this story about Kaia Barnett for a long time. So, what inspired the push now? My…
Access all of Prep Dig
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingNormally, you don’t hear me saying anything about myself in these articles, but this calls for a special circumstance. I’ve been wanting to write this story about Kaia Barnett for a long time. So, what inspired the push now? My father and I were watching Bowling Green High School play Greenwood High School in the first round of district play, and Kaia Barnett, starting stud setter for BG, runs to the bench, lays out, and bump sets this ball all the way back to the outside pin with a dime of a set. If you know Ken Marshall, he’s what I call the “GOAT” of volleyball and a hard man to impress, yet his eyes were just staring at the court and his mouth wide open. I knew it was time that Kaia Barnett’s name needed to be heard.
Barnett first started playing volleyball in the 2nd grade, and her mother, Allyson Barnett, was actually the Bowling Green High School head coach at the time. According to Kaia, her passion for the game all started because of her mom’s love for it as well. “I look up to my mom who has raised me all by herself, sacrificing everything to allow me to do what I love which is playing the game of volleyball. She has been my number one supporter and biggest cheerleader through everything.” Kaia plays club for Tennessee Performance, so her mother always drives her to practices an hour away and club tournaments across the country. Barnett’s gratefulness for the little things is just one of her keys to success.
Nowadays, Kaia Barnett, junior, has been the starting setter for Bowling Green High School since her freshman year and constantly shows her talents in any gym she competes in. Her hands only produce “dimes,” and Barnett’s ability to run a fast offense from anywhere on the court is extremely special. She holds her own on the defensive standpoint too. You’d think Kaia is 6’5 the way she goes up to block! Then, you add in her deadly serving ability. Plus, the way she can be forceful and aggressive at the net offensively. Barnett is just what we call a player. What can she not do?
Next, we get to the intangibles that are just as important. Her leadership could guide any team to a victory. One of her teammates, Lily-Kate Carver said, “She keeps us motivated to always try our best. She never lets anyone slack off, and that’s what makes her a true leader.” A player that can hold her teammates to the highest level is a rare gem. Her coach, Tim Sharp, agreed with that statement and said, “She is a natural leader who really understands the game and has become a mentor to several of our younger kids. She has an ability to hold herself and her teammates accountable to each other in a way that doesn’t cause issues with team chemistry.” This kind of leadership is not something you can find everyday, and Barnett flourishes in it.
Moreover, Kaia’s competitive spirit impacts everyone around her. Barnett plays with more heart and love for the game than almost anyone on the court. I asked her what she loved about it most, and she talked about the family aspect and knowing her teammates would be there for her, win or lose, but my favorite response was, “It also allows me to assist in someone else’s success, which in turn helps my game.” She’s the setter that has the mentality of her teammates successes turn into her own successes. Tim Sharp said, “She is a true competitor, and competition with her teammates really brings the best out of her.” With Barnett and her competitive attitude leading the charge, Bowling Green High School has started the best run to a volleyball season ever where they stand at 15-2 and undefeated in district and region play.
All of this success though is due to their team mindset. Barnett stated, “This season we began with a mindset that we wanted to be the team to put Bowling Green volleyball at the forefront of the athletic program at BGHS. So we have set our minds to it and are continuing to fight through to the finish.” The Purples made history last year, beating South Warren in the semifinals to go to region which was the farthest they’ve gone in years. According to Barnett, that was her favorite memory so far; however, they intend “to make new history this year in 2021 by winning the region championship and advancing as far as they can in state.” With Barnett at the helm, any dream they have is possible.
Kaia Barnett is just so special in every way. I personally think that she’s a top 5 setter in the state not only because of her physical talents but how her presence and competitive attitude elevates the players around her. Barnett is not committed anywhere yet, but she aspires to play at the D1 level. My final question to Barnett was, “What do you want to remembered by?” Her response, “I want to be known as the girl who was determined to lead her team through the good, bad, and ugly times my team may have faced. I want to be remembered not only for what I do on the court physically but how I interact with my teammates and opponents.”
Kaia Barnett, you make people better. Just so you know… I’m a huge fan.