Aaniyah Kitchen, West Plains volleyball, Sr.

On the court: The McNeese State commit is putting together quite the senior season and had quite the past week during the Lady Wolves wins against Bushland and Shallowater. In those two matches combined, the middle blocker did her part on the front row totaling 44 kills to go with 11 blocks, four digs and a pair of aces.

On the season, Kitchen has helped West Plains get off to a 19-9 start even with head coach Kaitlyn Cornelius out on maternity leave. Through the first 28 games, Kitchen has already drove home 204 kills so far with 58 blocks.

Assistant coach Madison Jones: “I have only been here two years to coach Aaniyah but I have seen her come completely out of her shell. She brings the energy to practice and to games all the time and that’s the way she leads. She is the ultimate teammate and she never quits putting in the work. She has just gotten better and better and she makes the plays and always takes the ownership. I love watching Aaniyah play, and while coach Cornelius has been gone she has really stepped up and helped us make this transition an easy one.”

Kitchen: “We are really playing well right now and starting to come together with district season starting. The adjustment with coach Jones has been a good one and everyone has come together. Everything has been smooth. I’m really trusting myself more this year to put the ball down and get the point when I need to and my block has been much better than last year. I’m doing my best to be a better leader and I’m looking forward to going through the district season and seeing if we can bring home a championship.”

About Kitchen

Favorite band or musician: Erykah Badu

Favorite social media platform: TikTok

Favorite athlete: Harper Murray

Bet you didn’t know: She wants to be a pediatrician.

Parents: Lamond and Aayesha Kitchen.