Delaware Sports Blitz Interview: Delaware Tech’s Kat Henretty

Photo: Delaware Technical Community College

The Delaware Technical Community College student-athletes interviews are back!

The student-athlete we are featuring this week comes from Delaware Tech’s volleyball team, which is Kat Henretty.

Henretty talks about everything from her pre-game rituals before a match and the best part of being a libero.

Check it out below!

How did you start playing sports?

“My parents always wanted my siblings and I to be very well-rounded, so they put us in sports at an early age to get us used to working with others. I remember going to my older sister’s volleyball games before I started playing, and it got me really interested in the sport.”

What adjustments did you have to make from the jump from high school to college, regarding the sport you play?

“I had to adjust to not being completely comfortable. Coming back to volleyball this season as a freshman was definitely an adjustment, especially because I had been playing with the same girls for a really long time.”

Other than sports and school, what are some things you like to do in your free time?

“I am a piano player! I’ve been playing for the past ten years, and it brings me so much joy! I also love watching ice hockey and listening to music!”

What is the best part of playing your particular position?

“I love playing libero because it gives me a nice sense of responsibility. I like a good challenge, and with playing libero, you never know what is going to get thrown at you each game. I also love being able to hit the floor, and the rush I get after getting a good pass!”

What has a former or current coach taught you, that you still use today on or off the playing field?

“I had a coach that would tell me to not be a poacher. Basically meaning, don’t go into other people’s space and try to do their job for them, and don’t be greedy. This advice has taught me to really trust my colleagues, teammates, friends, and anyone who I would be working with. It has also taught me that I can’t stand in the way of other people’s success because of my own desire for it.”

Do you have any pre-game rituals before a match?

“Before the game, I like to completely clear my head. I don’t like watching film right before a game because it tends to psyche me out, so instead, I’ve been really into watching a good psychological thriller or horror movie before the game to just keep my brain alert but also not thinking too much about the little things that could come up during a game that could stress me out.”

What do you feel is your greatest strength?

“My greatest strength is my perseverance. I am not afraid to put in the hard work to get the outcome that I want to see.”

What do you feel you are weakest at and what do you work on to improve it?

“I’d say my weakest trait is my confidence levels. I am a total perfectionist, so when I make a mistake, my confidence really goes down. I’ve been really trying to brush off the little things that mess me up, so I don’t get into my head too much.”

Describe some of the highlights of your athletic career.

“One of the best moments in my athletic career was probably my senior year of high school volleyball, I got a really awesome kick save at the end of a really intense rally. Another great moment for me was probably in 6th grade when I was the only 6th grader who made my school’s soccer team.”

What are your goals for this season?

“I hope to get coach another ring this season! I know the girls are coming off of a regional championship win, and I would love to help them get to another one this season.”

What is the best part of playing on a team?

“The best part of playing on the team is the girls that I play with. We all got close in a pretty short period of time, and I am incredibly grateful for all of them because they all mean something different to me and are all so talented.”

Who are your role models both in and out of the sport?

“My biggest role model in volleyball is probably Morgan Hentz. She played for Stanford and is probably one of the best collegiate liberos of all time. Her passion and drive are admirable, on top of the raw talent she has. Outside of volleyball, my biggest role model is my older brother. He is very down-to-earth and personable. He is the most selfless person I know, and I hope to be like him someday.”

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?

“The biggest challenge I have ever faced was probably having periods of time when I’ve felt burnt out. I think the biggest thing that helped me overcome it was the support I had gotten from my loved ones during that time.”

In what ways, does playing a sport, help you with your studies?

“Playing volleyball is a good outlet to use when I’m too stressed out by school. I know that no matter how stressful my studies can be, I can always come onto the court and put my full attention on the game. This is really helpful because for those few hours, I’m away from the books, and it’s a good reset to then go sit back down and focus on studying.”

How would you like to be remembered by your teammates and coaches?

“I would like to be remembered as a player who really put her heart into the game. I hope that my passion for the sport is seen through the playing I do, and I always hope that after every game, I can say that I left everything out on the court and put in 200% effort.”

Why did you choose to play at Delaware Tech?

“I chose to play at Delaware Tech because I wanted to be a part of something more. I wanted to play for the girls next to me and not just myself. Coach Leigh is a fantastic coach that I wanted to work with, and I am really thankful that she gave me the opportunity to be a part of this family.”