EVERETT

Of the three sports Kayelynne Huggins played at Archbishop Murphy High School, softball was her clear favorite over volleyball and basketball.

But you’d never know it.

Wildcats head volleyball coach Mike Bettinghouse coached Huggins for four years.

“Whatever sport was in season was really the one she focused on the most,” Bettinghouse said.

This spring Huggins earned her 12th varsity letter — four for volleyball, four for basketball and four for volleyball.

Huggins is an athlete that is becoming increasingly uncommon, said girls basketball coach John Barhanovich.

“She is an accomplished pitcher and a great softball player and yet she was able to participate in the other sports — volleyball and basketball — at a level where she helped the varsity team in both sports,” Barhanovich said. “These days those kids are kind of rare.”

When she arrived at Archbishop Murphy four years ago, Huggins didn’t necessarily set out to earn 12 varsity letters. Since the first grade, she had always participated in sports. Huggins’ parents, Greg and Lisa, encouraged her to be active. Huggins did softball, basketball and soccer and then switched volleyball for soccer in middle school in order to take it easy on her knees.

The plan was to try all three sports in high school.

“If I didn’t make the team, it was fine,” Huggins said. “It turned out very well. I had a lot of good coaches.”

Huggins was one of three freshmen to earn varsity spots on the volleyball team. Bettinghouse recognized her athletic ability right away.

“We were fortunate to have a strong freshman class,” Bettinghouse said. “You could tell she was just a good natural athlete and just a real nice kid. She was coachable. Anything you said she’d say ‘OK’ and go right out and try it. She’s the kind of kid everybody would want to coach.”

Throughout her four years, Huggins become one of the volleyball team’s most steady and dependable players.

“Her serving became real important to our offense,” Bettinghouse said. “She became a very good defensive player and somebody who could pass at serve-receive.”

While volleyball came fairly natural to Huggins, she had to work hard to hone her basketball skills. She again went into tryouts without any expectations.

“I wasn’t sure I wanted to try for varsity but I might as well if I’m there,” Huggins said.

Huggins played under former coach Bill Kelley for two years and then Barhanovich for the last two seasons. Huggins was one of the first two players off the bench for Barhanovich last season. She played center and often went up against the opponent’s top post player. Though she often was at a height disadvantage, Huggins battled hard, Barhanovich said.

As a basketball coach, it is important to Barhanovich to feel comfortable with the players he puts out on the court. His defensive system and offensive sets require players to be in the right spots.

“I felt very comfortable with her out on the court,” Barhanovich said. “She was able to do the things we needed in a player. She wasn’t one of the leading scorers. She knew what I wanted from her and was willing to do that for the betterment of the team.”

Both Barhanovich and Bettinghouse agree that Huggins not only excelled in games but also in practice, where she was always among the team’s hardest workers.

During her four years of softball, Huggins has been coached by three different coaches, the most recent of which is Linsi Moy. Huggins took all the changes in stride.

“They all brought their own style and the different aspects they really focused on,” Huggins said. “So it’s kind of a matter of feeling it out and seeing what they want and making that work. … Everyone has a lot of positive influence here.”

Moy describes Huggins as someone who is easy to work with because of her work ethic.

The Wildcats are a sophomore-dominated team this season and Huggins is a steadying influence, especially with the new first basemen she plays with in the infield.

If someone makes an error, Huggins is quick to offer a supportive comment.

“She helps calm people down,” Moy said. “She keeps people at ease. She’s positive. It’s really nice because we have such a young team this year.”

When she’s pitching, Huggins is quick to make adjustments and is technically proficient.

“She knows what she needs to do to get refocused and she gets the job done,” Moy said.

What stands out for Huggins is the success all three of her teams have experienced in the last four years.

“I think going to state in every sport at least once, that’s saying a lot about our teams,” Huggins said. “We have a lot of great athletes around here. We consistently make an appearance at state.”

Huggins has the full support from her parents, who shuttle her and younger brother Matthew, from Marysville.

“They’ve made a lot of sacrifices for me,” Huggins said. “I really appreciate everything they’ve done. My coaches have helped me get through a lot of tough times and really helped me be a better player.”

Huggins plans to attend Washington State in the fall and will pursue a degree in animal sciences with the goal of eventually becoming a veterinarian. Huggins has a 3.98 cumulative GPA at Archbishop Murphy.

Washington State does not have an intercollegiate softball team, but Huggins still hopes to continue playing, most likely on a club team.

College marks a transition in Huggins’ life.

“I kind of do sports the first half of my life and spend the second half working with animals,” she said.