AOTW Louisa "Lulu" Kishton

It’s impressive enough to be undefeated, but it’s even more impressive when your undefeated run has won its 14 straight matches by a margin of 42 sets to six. Hopkins women’s volleyball has been a powerhouse in the Centennial Conference the past three years, winning the conference crown in all three years and amassing a record of 68-21 during that time. 

While there have been plenty of talented women that have contributed to this incredible run of success, senior outside hitter Louisa “Lulu” Kishton has shone as one of the top players on the team, in the conference and across the nation. Kishton has been named First-Team All Centennial the past two years, and was an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American and a Third Team CoSIDA Academic All-American as well. 

Through 48 sets, Kishton has recorded 158 kills, which stands her at fourth in the conference and third in kills per set (3.29), and she also carries a 0.308 hitting percentage, which is also fourth in the conference. She recently surpassed 1,000 digs and 800 kills in her career, which goes to show just how consistent she has been in her career as a Blue Jay. 

Last weekend, the team traveled to Huntington, Pa. to take part in a loaded weekend that included matchups against No. 8 Juniata College, St. Vincent College and the University of Rochester. 

Kishton was on fire all weekend, racking up 12, 13 and nine kills against Juniata, St. Vincent, and Rochester, respectively. Her strong performances fueled the Hopkins volleyball machine as the Blue Jays remained unbeaten. For her performance over the weekend and for her reaching such impressive milestones, Louisa Kishton has been named The News-Letter’s Athlete of the Week. 

The News-Letter: As someone who has been a major contributor on the team in all four years here at Hopkins, how has your game evolved over the years?

Louisa Kishton: Volleyball is such a skill game that the amount of time I’ve gotten to play in the past few years has given me time to really develop a variety of shots on offense as well as continuing to sharpen my ball control on defense and serve and receive.

N-L: The Blue Jays have been a force to be reckoned with in the Centennial Conference for a few years in a row now. What is the mentality of the team in your preparation, and how has this translated into your success?

LK: I think we usually have a great strength of schedule playing some tough teams before getting into conference play. We also know that, if we don’t come out playing our game, nothing is guaranteed, so we need to mentally prepare to come out with our best every time.

N-L: You recently surpassed 1,000 digs in your career and are on your way to 1,000 kills in your career. What do those milestones mean for you?

LK: These numbers and milestones just make me so grateful to have had the opportunity to play volleyball here for four years with this awesome team. Volleyball is such a team sport — you cannot put up numbers without hard-working, baller teammates to play with. 

N-L: The team has been on the road a ton to start the season, only having one home match in all of September. How has the team dealt with the grind of constantly being on the road?

LK: It has definitely been tough. It’s been a theme of my years here that we are often on the road with a tough schedule, so I think a lot of us are used to it. We definitely work hard to recover well and get schoolwork done whenever we are home. That being said, being on the road with your friends is always fun too.

N-L: Being one of the two seniors on the team, what legacy would you like to leave as you finish your run here at Hopkins?

LK: I would like to leave a legacy of consistently bringing positive, strong energy and helping the rest of the team to do the same. 

N-L: For those that may be unfamiliar with the team, what is one thing you would like for everyone to know about the volleyball team?

LK: I would want people to know that our games are really fun to watch and that they should come and support!