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Street Smart

March 25 — At a slim 5’11” Kate Street certainly isn’t the biggest player in the state, especially when it comes to middles. But she is clearly one of the smartest. In fact, unlike many players who prefer to fight power with power, Kate seems to enjoy confusing the competition by mixing power with finesse. And her instincts and anticipation make her one of the state’s best blockers at any size.

“She’s amazing,” says Texas Tornados coach Chuck Schneider. “I usually have my setter as my captain, but when I noticed the leadership qualities that Kate shows, I knew I had to make her a co-captain along with Jen (Andrew). And while her size is not consistent with a tall, strong MB, she plays and blocks like one. When the competition gets tough, she elevates her game and rises to the occasion.”

Never was that more on display than during the high school playoffs when she led Klein to its first ever appearance in the state tournament before the Bearkats finally fell to eventual state champion Westlake 15-12, 15-13. In that semifinal match, Street had a team-high 9 kills, 4 blocks, 8 digs, 3 aces and kept Westlake on its heels all evening.

At season's end she was named to the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-State team. Her list of honors is extensive, beginning with District 15-5A Rookie of the Year recognition as a sophomore, district MVP as a senior, three time all-district, Houston Chronicle Female Athlete of the Week, Top 5 hitter in Houston and on and on and on.

This fall Street will be playing outside for the Central Florida Golden Knights.

“Kate is a very versatile athlete who has experience in the middle, but will hit on the outside for us,” said Golden Knights coach Meg Colado. “She brings a big block and more height to our outside hitter position.”

“She will do well because she has an outgoing personality, a strong will to win, and she is always willing to learn,” says Schneider. “Plus, she will be in Florida so how can you go wrong there?!”

First, however, Kate is in the middle of the Texas Tornados chase for another Open berth at the national tournament. Street started playing volleyball as a third grader and has been with the Tornados since she was 12 (photo at left). Last season they had one of the nation’s top 17s teams, winning national tournaments in Las Vegas and Indianapolis, then finishing 13th in the Open division at nationals. Over the weekend in Indianapolis, the team showed that it will again be a force nationally with a fourth place finish in the 18s Open division at the Mideast Qualifier.

Of course, Kate isn’t known just for her volleyball. There is also the hair. Street, whose sister Kara is pursuing a fashion design degree at Baylor, is also known for hairstyles that take on different hues and colors over the course of the season.

Prior to leaving for Indianapolis, Street took time to talk to us about Klein’s unexpected drive to the state tournament (“bigger than all my years at the Junior Olympics”), the Tornados’ drive for a national championship, the recruiting process and, of course, hair coloring.

When the season started, did you even think you had a chance to be at the state tournament?

To be honest no, but our team just had what it took. We made history for Klein and hopefully a tradition.

At what point did you think you had a shot at making it to San Marcos?

I think that when we got to the regional tournament we were confident about making it, but we knew that we would have a tough match with Cy Creek. I don't really want to bring this up again, but the comments made in the newspaper (by Creek players) really pumped us up.

What was the experience in San Marcos like?

It was unbelievable. I can't describe my feelings when we were on the court. It was even bigger than all my years at the Junior Olympics. No match I had ever played with club has had that many spectators. It was an experience that I will never forget

How disappointing was the loss?

Of course we wanted to go on and play the next day, but just for us to have made it to state was awesome. I think that our team came out strong, which is unusual for a team to that has never been there. We never gave up at any point of the game. Even if the score was 14-0 we still would have played our hardest. That's just the kind of team we were.

You probably had the best single performance of any 5A player in San Marcos. Was it disappointing not to make the all-tournament team?

It would have been an incredible honor for someone from Klein to have made the team, but for me those things aren't important. I knew that I played the best I could have that day and that's all I needed to know for my own satisfaction. I was happy for the girls who did make it because they deserved it.

I would guess that playing in the state tournament was the highlight of your high school career. Were there any major disappointments?

By far the state tournament was the highlight. There were absolutely no disappointments. I couldn't have asked for a better way to be leaving my high school team than this. We had an amazing year. The girls are so much fun to be around on and off the court. That's what made our team so much fun.

What about club? This team has a lot of high expectations. Can the team live up to those expectations?

I LOVE MY CLUB TEAM. The majority of us have been playing together for four years. We have fun on and off the court. I'm sure people know that by just looking at us. We are coming into the 18's year with very high expectations from everyone including ourselves. I think we have the potential to live up to every single goal that we set for ourselves. We have the talent and the coach and incredibly supportive parents (who probably have more fun than we do).

What has been the highlight of your club career?

Winning two national tournaments (Las Vegas and the Mideast Qualifier). We were unstoppable.

What made you select Central Florida?

HELLO, IT’S IN FLORIDA. I love the beach. But seriously, I felt really comfortable with the team and Meg. She is the coolest. I am really shy when I first meet people, which is probably hard to believe, and they just really took me in and made me part of the team. And Jana (MItchell, in photo at left) my roommate and fellow incoming freshman next year is awesome. She plays for M1 (in Minnesota). I'm so excited!

What will you study there?

Right now I’m looking at business and finance. My sister and I want to start a business together. We want to open up a clothing boutique in either San Diego or Dallas.

What other schools did you consider?

Virginia Tech, Duke, University of Cincinnati, Rice and Baylor.

What do you think is the strength of your game?

I think that for my size, my strength as a middle is blocking. I am not afraid of going against 6'5'' girls. I don't get intimidated very easily.

What about weaknesses? What part(s) of your game do you want to improve?

Defense. My back row play really needs work before college. I also think that my hitting could use some improvement.

Growing up did you have any sports heroes?

My dad. Not anyone famous. He goes out every weekend and plays basketball with the 20-year-old guys and beats them. He is a hoss. He runs almost every day. He loves the game and will play until old age gets him.

Who were your role models?

My sister. In school she never had studies easy, but she made all A's because of her hard work. She would literally come home and before she would allow herself to do anything else she would spend at least three hours on her homework. This dedication has paid off in the end and still is at Baylor. She is my best friend in the world.

Did you play other sports when you were young?

I actually played basketball, track, swimming, gymnastics and cheerleading. I think I could have played almost anything when I was little except for soccer. That is one sport that I just did not agree with. Once I got to high school, I decided to focus on one sport, which I obviously chose volleyball.

What made you select volleyball?

Well I did competitive cheerleading in junior high and also club volleyball and I liked the atmosphere more in volleyball. The girls on my team, our personalities just clicked and I felt like things just fell into place after that

Do you have any special drills that you work on – either physical or skills?

We just got introduced to this drill called 10-Ball. Our coach uses it on his players at HBU and we love it. It works on your reaction to the ball in defense along with communication and teamwork.

Is there any advice you ever received that has stayed with you?

Everything my parents have told me. Even though they don't think I listen to them, I do and eventually it will all sink in.

What about pre-game rituals or superstitions? Do you have any?

I don't think I have one that I do by myself, but we have one for Tornados. We do a cheer right before our game, which provides and symbolizes unity for the game.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

That I am part Japanese. I have a tattoo of the Japanese symbol of virtue on the small of my back.

What about hobbies. What do you do away from the court?

I like doing anything adventurous. I like trying new things. I am the wild child of the family. I think that scares my parents. But one Christmas gift I received was a certificate to go skydiving. I’m really looking forward to that one.

Now let’s talk about your look. You have one of the most distinctive looks on the court. We watched you play about a half dozen times this season and several times it seemed you had a different hair color. Are we right?

I tend to go a little crazy with the hair

How often do you change hair colors?

I actually just did my hair yesterday. I usually run the hair bill up once or twice a month.

How do you do it?

I have the best hairdresser in the world. I love her.

How do you select a color?

I go in and just tell her to do whatever she wants to do.

When did you start doing it?

I started about a year ago.

Why did you start doing it?

I got started by doing modeling for Farouk hair systems and every since then I've been fascinated by what people can do with hair these days. Plus I get really bored with my hair after a couple weeks on the same thing.

Will you continue through college?

Yes, we have already decided that she will send me stuff to do my hair with and when I come home that will be the first thing on my to do list.

What have been your favorites?

I really like the bright red.

Do you ever think – oops?

Actually when I got it done over Christmas break we were going for bright red with almost white highlights (very light blonde). But since my hair had just been black, it was really hard to lift the black all the way to blonde and with the red gloss on it, it turned pink. So it was bright red with pink highlights. It actually looked really cool, so no bad "oopses."

Any tips for young girls that might want to follow the Kate Street hairstyles?

Be unpredictable. Reflect yourself through it and do what you want, not what is in.