And that was Kylie Fehlman’s main priority as a four-year starter at middle hitter for Warren’s varsity volleyball team.

“My main goal was to become the best player and teammate I could be,” said the 5-foot-11 senior co-captain. “I wanted to be able to bond with my team and have a connection on the court. My second goal was to win the District 10 championship and to make it to the state playoffs, and we did just that.”

It seems like one thing led to the other for the all-region, all-district and all-state all-star who recently decided to continue her volleyball career at Division III LaRoche University in Pittsburgh beginning next fall.

“The feeling is bittersweet,” she said. “Although I am sad to leave my teammates, I am happy and excited to see where this next journey takes me. I can’t wait to make new memories and new friends. I will always remember how much fun we had in the hotels the night before and after a tournament and how we bonded as a team.”

Kylie Fehlman

It culminated at the end of the season with 13 kills in 22 attempts in the Dragons’ five-set victory for their first District 10 title since 2018.

“Big congratulations to Kylie on signing with La Roche,” said Warren coach Mike Dolan. “They’re not only getting an outstanding middle hitter and blocker, but a terrific teammate, and student-athlete — someone who will always put in the extra work needed to excel. As good as she played for the Dragons, especially the past two seasons, she always looks for ways to improve individually, and for the team to get better. She was an awesome captain and leader as well, making sure to take time to help out and encourage the younger athletes. Kylie certainly delivered some memorable moments for the Dragons and I’m excited to see her continued success at La Roche.”

Kylie was clutch, finishing the season with three straight double-digit kill efforts in the most important games of her career.

“I played my heart out in those games, and I was determined to win,” she said. “I will always remember them, and I am glad we could finally make it happen after five years.”

LaRoche is getting a player that wants to make an impact right away.

“I would describe my game as very competitive,” she said. “I always try to encourage people to push themselves beyond what they believe they can do. I feel that I am a good motivator and a strong leader. I always think there is something that I can improve on, and I think this will be a great trait to take into college volleyball… I would describe myself as very hard-working and determined. Volleyball takes up a lot of time for practicing, games, and tournaments. I am glad that I have something to work on almost every day and that I am so passionate about it. Volleyball is a lot about patience. I have learned that I must fail to succeed and to become a better athlete. The difference in my play has changed drastically, and I would like to say the same for me as a person. I have grown and learned so many life lessons that I didn’t think you could get from playing sports.

“It is so hard to believe that I just finished my last year of high school volleyball,” said Kylie. “I still remember how nervous I was the first day of tryouts in seventh grade. I am beyond proud of all of my teammates from my first season freshman year to my last as a senior. We improved so much as a team this year and worked so hard to get as far as we did.”

In four high school seasons, Fehlman had 637 kills in 1,482 attempts at a 42.8 percent clip, improving from 41 kills her freshman season to 130 as a sophomore, 202 as a junior, and 264 her senior season. The kills percentage also went from 31.1percent her freshman year all the way to 47.9 percent as a senior. She added 206 blocks with a season-high 69 coming this title season.

“As an eighth-grader playing against girls who were 17 to 18 years old, I started to realize just how impressive it was,” she said of joining competitive travel volleyball. “It was an incredible experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to play with such talented players.

“I played softball from the time I was five up until my sophomore year,” added Kylie, the daughter of Jason Fehlman and Heather Carrington. “I always thought that softball was my thing, but the moment I realized I could do big things and go far with volleyball, I knew that was my sport. Volleyball lit a flame in me, and I became a whole new athlete. I was more passionate than I had ever been about any other sport.

“My biggest motivators would definitely be my family,” she said. “They always push me to be the best person and the best player I can possibly be. They make sure I know how important it is to be there for my team and that we are all working towards the same goal.”

Long term, Kylie wants to become a physical therapist “at either a hospital or a small physical therapy or rehab center.”

Short term, “I hope to make great memories and be successful in my major,” she said. “I want to have an immediate impact on the team. I hope I can bring the motivation and energy needed to get my new team as far as we can.

“The recruitment process was not what I was expecting,” said Fehlman. “It takes a lot of time and hard decisions. It definitely made it more difficult to be seen by college coaches when I was only in for three rotations. I felt that I had to make a big impression while playing to be seen. Although it is tough being in the middle, I still love it… I am very happy with my decision to go to D3. I feel that it is the best fit for me and a great opportunity to play as much as I can in my last four years.

“When I tried out for volleyball in seventh grade, I never would’ve thought I would get to the level of play I am at now,” she said. “Once I started to realize how good I could be at the game, I worked as hard as I could. I focused as much as possible and pushed myself beyond my limits. I have wanted this for a very long time and I cannot wait to become part of the RedHawk family.”