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By Sierra Poor November 22, 2024
As a young girl, Kayla Palmore never imagined she would one day become a collegiate athlete. Her athletic journey began at the Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center, where she trained as a ballet dancer. However, in the 8th grade, her interest shifted to volleyball, a sport she quickly excelled in. By her freshman year, Kayla made the team at Providence-St. Mel High School, and by her sophomore year, she was playing varsity. One evening, Kayla’s cousin, Ebony, came to watch her play. While Kayla performed well, she was still young and had much to learn. After the game, Ebony promised to help her work on her techniques to improve. Sadly, before that could happen, Ebony passed away from cervical cancer. This loss became Kayla’s motivation to keep pushing forward, determined to fulfill her cousin’s promise and continuously strive to be better. Kayla’s start in volleyball was unconventional, but she brought with her all the passion and dedication necessary to play at the next level. However, she was missing one critical component—a strong mentor. That’s when she found 360 Sports Academy, an elite volleyball club that provided her with the high-level competition and exposure she needed. While her high school coach once told her she would "never play in college," Coach Bernie at 360 Sports Academy believed otherwise. He placed Kayla in an environment where she could compete against top players and be seen by college scouts. During her time at 360, Kayla learned not just volleyball skills but also invaluable life lessons in discipline and persistence. She recalls the early days when her team lost games 25-3. As the program grew, so did the players’ determination. Eventually, the tables turned, and Kayla and her teammates became the ones winning with scores of 25-3. 360 Sports Academy didn’t just prepare Kayla for success on the court—they also provided her with the mentorship and support she needed to succeed off the court. With guidance from experienced coaches, Kayla’s dream of playing collegiate volleyball became a reality when she accepted an offer from Roosevelt University. But her journey didn’t stop there. Entering her freshman year, Kayla had to work hard to earn her spot on the court. Drawing on the lessons learned at 360, including the mantra “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” she made consistent progress, particularly as a defensive specialist. However, just as she was reaching her peak during her junior year, Kayla faced a devastating setback—she tore her ACL, sidelining her for nine months. With the support of her trainer, Mike Hannah, who believed in her every step of the way, she fought through rehab and made her recovery. Despite her comeback, Kayla’s senior year felt different. As the only African American player on her team, and with a new head coach who barely played her—even on senior night—her love for volleyball began to wane. It’s a situation many athletes can relate to: coaches have the power to build up or break down their players. Unfortunately, for Kayla, this coach fell into the latter category. But through the tough times, one mentor stood strong—Coach Bernie. He supported her through every battle, both physical and mental, even attending her college games. After graduating, Kayla found her way back to 360 Sports Academy, this time as the Social Media Manager. This opportunity rekindled her passion for volleyball, and she embraced the sense of family and sisterhood at 360. “You create lifelong connections here,” Kayla said. “There’s a bigger purpose at 360 Sports Academy.” Today, Kayla is the Head Volleyball Coach at Wright College. Drawing from her own experiences as a player, she strives to protect and encourage her athletes, ensuring they won’t have to endure some of the hardships she faced. Like Coach Bernie, she’s committed to giving players a chance—just as someone once did for her.
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