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Katie Hank doesn’t need words.
Valencia’s softspoken senior outside hitter let the ball do the talking.
With every thunderous kill, Hank moved the Vikings closer and closer to their eighth straight Foothill League title.
As the focal point of Valencia’s offense, it was only a matter of time.
And as such, Hank is The Signal’s 2009 Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.
On the season, the University of Delaware-bound senior had 383 kills, 249 digs and 24 blocks.
But her impact was more than just statistical.
Hank’s quite confidence in herself and her team led to consistent and clutch play throughout the league season.
In fact, she put up some of her best performances of the season during Foothill League play.
In the Vikings’ second meeting with West Ranch, which was pegged as a top challenger for the title, Hank led the way to a 3-1 victory with 25 kills on Oct. 22.
During an Oct. 27 sweep of Hart, another top contender, Hank had 21 kills and 10 digs to take sole possession of first place.
Then on Oct. 29 in a four-game win over Saugus, she poured in 31 kills, ensuring that Valencia was in the driver’s seat the rest of the way.
In the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division I-A playoffs, Hank had 26 kills and 10 digs to earn a 3-2 victory over Villa Park.
However, the run fell short two days later in a five-game loss to El Toro.
Finishing with 24 kills, Hank led the Vikings back from a two-game deficit to force a fifth game.
But a defensive miscue doomed Valencia and ended the season.
Afterward, Vikings head coach Ray Sanchez raved about his team and its leadership.
He described Hank as a tremendous talent and went on to say the Vikings couldn’t replace her with just one player.
You aren’t going to see her showboat, and if you talk to her, she won’t overpower the conversation.
But at 6 feet 2 inches tall, Hank used her presence to spark and motivate her teammates like the best players that have passed through the program.
With every shot that crashed to the floor, and the crack that resounded through the gymnasium when her hand made contact with the ball, Hank proved that actions really do speak louder than words.
Jan. 6, 2010 10:02p.m. EST
All-SCV Girls Volleyball: Louder than words
Paul Putignano
The Signal
Katie Hank doesn’t need words.
Valencia’s softspoken senior outside hitter let the ball do the talking.
With every thunderous kill, Hank moved the Vikings closer and closer to their eighth straight Foothill League title.
As the focal point of Valencia’s offense, it was only a matter of time.
And as such, Hank is The Signal’s 2009 Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.
On the season, the University of Delaware-bound senior had 383 kills, 249 digs and 24 blocks.
But her impact was more than just statistical.
Hank’s quite confidence in herself and her team led to consistent and clutch play throughout the league season.
In fact, she put up some of her best performances of the season during Foothill League play.
In the Vikings’ second meeting with West Ranch, which was pegged as a top challenger for the title, Hank led the way to a 3-1 victory with 25 kills on Oct. 22.
During an Oct. 27 sweep of Hart, another top contender, Hank had 21 kills and 10 digs to take sole possession of first place.
Then on Oct. 29 in a four-game win over Saugus, she poured in 31 kills, ensuring that Valencia was in the driver’s seat the rest of the way.
In the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division I-A playoffs, Hank had 26 kills and 10 digs to earn a 3-2 victory over Villa Park.
However, the run fell short two days later in a five-game loss to El Toro.
Finishing with 24 kills, Hank led the Vikings back from a two-game deficit to force a fifth game.
But a defensive miscue doomed Valencia and ended the season.
Afterward, Vikings head coach Ray Sanchez raved about his team and its leadership.
He described Hank as a tremendous talent and went on to say the Vikings couldn’t replace her with just one player.
You aren’t going to see her showboat, and if you talk to her, she won’t overpower the conversation.
But at 6 feet 2 inches tall, Hank used her presence to spark and motivate her teammates like the best players that have passed through the program.
With every shot that crashed to the floor, and the crack that resounded through the gymnasium when her hand made contact with the ball, Hank proved that actions really do speak louder than words.
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