Kenna Buss '26 Recruiting Profile

My first sport outside of dance was soccer. However, my being above average height throughout my childhood was not necessarily a benefit in the game of soccer, so my father suggested that I try volleyball. Well, once I played volleyball, I was hooked. My competitive nature stems from both my parents who competed and played in college. My mom cheered competitively at the University of Utah and my dad played linebacker first at Montana State (1987-1988) and then at Utah (1992-1994). Playing volleyball simply makes me happy. I enjoy the competition, the teamwork, the friendships and the ability to always get better and improve my skills. Volleyball has taught me self confidence, teamwork, and how to be a leader. 

In order to become the best volleyball player and athlete I can be requires effort year round. During the high school and club season as well as outside of it, I regularly workout to increase strength, flexibility, and endurance. I also am in the high school track team participating in the 300 meter hurdles. In the summer I participate in Parisi Speed and Strength School as well as attend summer volleyball camps. The benefits of working out has not only improved my physical strength, but I have learned to push myself physically which has helped me to become stronger mentally. I have not always succeeded in volleyball. Being in comp volleyball I have lost more than won up to this point in my career. In a recent tournament I missed a kill shot that was so easy, I should have be able to spike it nine out of ten times, but I missed the ball entirely and the game ended with that miss. I had to learn not to be so hard on myself and to mentally “let it go” even though at the time, I felt like a failure for letting both myself and my team down. This experience as well as many more in the future will help refine my character.

Outside of volleyball and training I enjoy hanging out with friends, drawing, baking, camping and hiking. I am active in my church and young women activities on a weekly basis and attend church summer camp annually. I believe that the spiritual parts of life are just as important as the physical and mental and it is important to try and keep a balance. Academics is very important to me. I realize that I am a student-athlete and my goal of playing collegiate volleyball is also dependent on my academic success. My goal is to perform at my very best with each class that I take always striving to get “A’s”. I may not always get a “A”, but I will always work as hard as possible with that goal in mind. My positive mindset, willingness to learn and be coachable as well as my desire to improve both on the court and off are important principles in my life. It is my desire to play for a coach and a team that embodies those core principles.