Still Speaking of Sports...Following K-Dog

"Kay-Dawg in the house!"

Such was the acclaim from the gymnasium bleachers when the Catholic High women's volleyball team took the court, anchored by one Kathryn Cavender, aka Katie, aka Kate, aka K-Dog:

Now how does a girl who quit growing in junior high, who stands barely over 5 feet tall, anchor a women's volleyball team? The same way she guided her 8th grade basketball team to the league championship in Pensacola, with sheer guts, determination, and an indomitably infectious winning spirit.

Her younger brother Matt was not the only one cut from a sport starting high school after moving to a new city. Katie, James, and Matt all endured the rigors of frequent military moves, meeting and making new friends, and competing in sports with/against non-military youngsters who had grown accustomed to playing together over years of developing skills and teamwork. Following her triumphant final basketball season at St. John's school in Pensacola, Katie confidently tried out for the freshman team at Catholic High School in Norfolk/Virginia Beach...and got cut. Watching the tryouts, we strongly suspected that this team had already been selected before the first ball dribbled onto the court. So much for new kids' chances.

But Kate did what Kate always does in adverse situations. She sucked it up, held her head high, and moved on. Ultimately she led the women's volleyball team as its premier setter and captain, first as a JV and later as varsity. That same indomitable determination and leadership that spirited her previous basketball teammates to higher achievement infected her volleyball compatriots as well. No surprise to us, in her senior year she earned well deserved recognition as the team's Most Valuable Player. Proudly, her Grandpa K was there with her brothers to watch her receive the award.

The challenges experienced in sports competition do prepare one to deal with life. In sports we not only learn about fair play and teamwork and a winning attitude. We learn about ourselves. We learn the breadth and depth of our talent, our fortitude, our imagination, and our perseverance. We learn how to raise the level of our game and find new determination when faced with difficult odds. We figure out how to reach deep inside ourselves to find our own right stuff and true grit. We discover how to win, or at least how to lose with dignity and aplomb. Whatever the outcome, whatever the final score, we are better men or women for having competed at all.

Honing those positive qualities and leadership skills that she so aptly demonstrated in sports competition, Katie has continued to achieve success throughout her young life, in college, in business, in grad school, and in mature relationships.  Kate's high school MVP award presaged a series of similar recognitions as she excels in the game of life. Just one example (because I have a photo) is her sociology honor society induction at the College of William and Mary, where she earned not one but two bachelor's degrees in four years.

K-Dog: A true winner and leader, and a consistent MVP, regardless of the game or the situation. Whatever the challenge, you want her on your team.