Since she was a little girl, Kyla Paulsen has dreamed of coaching volleyball in Stevensville. She followed her mother, Donna, while Donna coached at Victor and then later was a volleyball referee. Paulsen played club ball around the area and then, when she was old enough, played junior high and high school volleyball. Now her dream has come true as she is in her first year of coaching Stevensville’s volleyball team.
Over the years, Paulsen developed a strong competitive drive. She was a leader on the Lady ‘Jackets’ team and became a student of the game. When she graduated from Stevensville in 2014, Paulsen moved on to University of Montana Western where she continued to play volleyball on a scholarship.
After four years of college ball, Paulsen feels strongly that she can make a difference with this year’s Lady Yellowjacket team. She has worked hard to build a team mentality and hone the team’s skills. She also brought in new assistants, Casey Ferguson and Joanna Avery. Ferguson is from Thompson Falls and has had coaching experience. Avery, a Corvallis graduate, also played for UM Western with Paulsen.
Paulsen said her assistants and her team are coming together and working hard. “They have each other’s back and never quit.”
As for Paulsen, who is also a fourth grade teacher at Stevensville, it’s a crazy dream come true. “I didn’t think it would happen so quickly, but I love it,” said Paulsen.