Born and raised a Southern California kid, Kim McCalmont was born in La Mesa, and attended Granite Hills High School in El Cajon.
Her family’s volleyball roots, her physical stature and her heart have kept her encouraged as she has progressed with the game.
Getting a grip on the game hasn’t always come easy to McCalmont even after coming from a volleyball family and having played since she was a freshman in high school.
“This is my eighth year (of playing volleyball). When I first started I was so terrible. All of the other girls would be mean, but I was tall, which gave me an advantage. My dad pushed me through it.”
Before coming to play opposite hitter for California Baptist University, McCalmont played one season at Colorado Christian University.
She left a mark there, finishing with 220 kills, 75 digs and 51 blocks. She was also named to the National Christian College Athletic Association All-Tournament team.
After redshirting her first year at CBU, she is ready to join the Lancer volleyball squad and lead CBU to victory.
Starting the 2012 season right, McCalmont and the Lancers earned a victory over San Francisco State University.
The Lancers and the Gators went all five sets and the fifth went all the way up to the last point when McCalmont made a block for the win.
She is not the only Lancer in her family as her brother Aaron McCalmont is an outside hitter for the men’s volleyball team. The siblings not only share the same position, but also the same uniform number — 24.
“It’s awesome my brother and I share the same number and position. We both encourage and push each other,” McCalmont said. “He also keeps me grounded in my faith and reminds me that I’m playing for the glory of God and to not forget that.”
Without solid team support it is hard to be successful in any sport. McCalmont said she enjoys hanging out with her team and spending important bonding time with all 15 of her teammates.
“Our whole team is super close this season, we love having movie nights and bonding through long bus rides and during practice,” McCalmont said. “We are all competing for positions and playing time so we’re constantly building each other up and challenging each other in a positive way.”
When volleyball season is not in full swing, McCalmont enjoys skiing, and as for summer, you can find her playing beach volleyball.
During her time at CBU, McCalmont is majoring in liberal studies with a concentration in mathematics. She hopes to become an elementary school teacher. She also has interest in pursuing volleyball after graduation.
“It would be really great to maybe teach overseas and spread the gospel, or even train for beach volleyball after college,” she said.
The Lancers next home match will be tomorrow against the Academy of Art at 7 p.m.
