OLYMPIA, Wash. – Mikayla Kelly (Grad., MB) of The Evergreen State College women's volleyball team is the Evergreen Featured Athlete of the Week for April 24, 2026. Kelly previously played volleyball at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. She competed in volleyball, basketball, and softball at Dufur High School in Oregon.

During the 2025 season for the Geoducks, Kelly saw started all 24 matches and played in 73 of 74 sets. She earned 50 total blocks, including 48 block assists. She led the Geoducks In block assists, total blocks, and blocks per set (0.68).

"I think timing is everything," Kelly said about blocking in volleyball. "I don't have an impressive vertical jump or anything, but being in the right place at the right time will get you a long way in sports! Getting lots of reps to better understand where the ball is going of the setter's hands is key to blocking."

Blocking was Kelly's major contribution to the team last season. She also helped the Geoducks in other ways.

"I think court awareness is one of my strengths," Kelly commented. "I try to be really intentional about where I'm placing the ball (when she attacks). As fun as it is to hit the ball hard, I earn a lot of points by tracking players on the other side and putting the ball where they're not."

Kelly's college career began at Whitman, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a combined major in Biology and Environmental Studies. She graduated in 2024.

"I made some great friends, got to work on the Whitman Wire newspaper, completed a thesis on the effects of climate change on the local grasslands, and more!" Kelly said.

Now she's at Evergreen, continuing to study environmental science. She is participating in Evergreen's Master of Environmental Studies program.

After not attending college for a year, she arrived at Evergreen in the fall of 2025.

"I found myself missing the competition of collegiate athletics," Kelly recalled. "I also felt like a year off after my undergraduate degree gave me some time to reflect and realize that I wanted to delve deeper into environmental studies and build some great connections for future environmental work. Making friends within the volleyball team and Master of Environmental Studies (MES) program has already been super rewarding after the first few quarters."

Kelly commented that since joining the MES program at Evergreen "I have learned a lot about forest ecology, the local landscapes, and the environmental history of Olympia and the Pacific Northwest in general. This quarter (spring 2026), I'm also working towards my Global Information Systems (GIS) certificate and have had a lot of fun designing maps so far!"

Kelly is glad to be a member of the Evergreen women's volleyball team. She enjoys her time with the Geoducks.

"I love the fun and positive energy on the team," Kelly said. "No matter what's going on in my life outside of volleyball, I'm excited to come to practice and hang out with these great people. Even though the fall season didn't go how we hoped, this spring everyone is throwing themselves back into the sport and doing a lot of rebuilding. I think this program is so unique and fun, so I'm excited to keep playing and find out what comes next!"

Academic and volleyball keep Kelly busy for much of the year. Even so, she finds time for other interests beyond the court and the classroom.

"I'm also on a local club rugby team (shout out the stellar Sea Lions!), which has been super fun," Kelly noted. "Sports have always been a huge part of my social life, so I'm happy to be able to do as many as I can. I also work part-time at Banfield Pet Hospital, which has taught me so much about animals, people, and myself. I also love any sort of crafting and art. Drawing, crocheting, collaging … pretty much anything creative is a great outlet for me."