Volleyball Rising Star - Kaia Buckley

Kaia Buckley's journey in volleyball began in Y9 at Rangitoto College. By Y11, she had risen to the role of captain for the senior A team, a position she proudly held from 2021 to 2023. Her leadership was instrumental in guiding the team to their first national title at the school nationals in 2023, a crowning achievement that reflected dedication to her team and skill on the court.

A standout player, Kaia excelled not only at the school level but also as a representative for Harbour in various age categories: U15, U17, and U19, where she showcased her talent as a setter. Kaia noted that the challenge of being a good setter is the “constant decision making and watching for what the other team is doing in order to set [her] team to win the point.”

This year Kaia has played and captained the Canterbury U19 team, where her leadership was pivotal in securing their first national title. Her incredible performance and skillset earned her an MVP title and a place in the tournament team.

In addition to her indoor volleyball achievements, Kaia has also made a mark in beach volleyball, representing New Zealand at the U19 Asian Championships in Thailand. Her international experience has further honed her abilities and broadened her perspective on the game.

Looking forward, Kaia is preparing to compete with the NZ U19 team in Adelaide for an Australasian indoor volleyball competition. She balances her volleyball aspirations as she pursues a Bachelor's degree in Psychological Sciences, with a focus on sport psychology. With dreams of traveling the world and continuing her volleyball career, Kaia aims to merge her passion for sports with her academic pursuits to become a sports psychologist, supporting athletes in achieving peak performance both mentally and physically.