TOWAMENCIN – For most people, being on the bench and hearing from a coach that you likely wouldn’t make the team would be enough discouragement to walk away from the sport. For Kate Donaldson, the only obstacle was mindset. Now, the same player that was warming the bench her freshman year is playing for the currently undefeated North Penn Girl’s Varsity Volleyball team and earning herself the title of Player of the Game. 

In the September 25th game against Boyertown, Donaldson made 17 perfect serve receive passes and 21 digs; her success in the game was enough not only for North Penn to win and maintain their undefeated status, but for Donaldson to receive the title of Player of the Game.

“I think my serve received was the best thing that I had that game. Everything starts with the pass, so I feel like the serve received was really good that day, not just with me, but me and my teammates included,” Donaldson said. 

North Penn Girl’s Volleyball, now 13-0, has found success in their season with a focused energy and positivity within the team.

“Our main thing that’s different from past years is our energy. We’re a lot more positive, like when we’re down a few points we aren’t like ‘we’re going to lose the game,’ we’re like ‘we got it still, we can do this.’” No one ever gets mad at each other. It’s an encouraging and uplifting environment this year. Our skill is mostly the same, but our chemistry is a lot better and that makes it a lot easier to play and to win.”

Still, the winning streak comes with a pressure to continuously perform well against opposing teams.

“I’m always nervous for the games, because there’s the pressure when you’re undefeated where everyone is trying to target you and beat you. It’s more nervousness that our team is going to play like we’ve already won the game. We should play confident, but also put in the work for it because they won’t go down without a fight,” Donaldson said.

A positive and diligent energy isn’t only important for this season of volleyball; it was important for Donaldson as she found her place in volleyball despite initial challenges that came her way. Donaldson began her volleyball career in sixth grade with volleyball camps and began playing on a team in her freshman year and had to continuously improve with hard work to make it to where she is today.

“Freshman year, I was a bench player the whole time, and in sophomore year I was a starter for JV. Junior year, I was a bench player again in the beginning of the year, and then I got a starting spot and it stayed that way, so I really tried to work hard for it,” Donaldson said. “My coaches like to say that I’m the definition of hard work, because I earned my spot instead of just walking into it.”

“I knew I had the potential to be better, so I just kept pushing myself. I didn’t lose hope; I knew I could do this. Even if my coaches didn’t believe me, it’s about how much faith you have in yourself and how much determination you have,” Donaldson continued. “The answer is always no if you don’t try. If you don’t try out or try your hardest, you’re never going to make the team. If you have that mindset with the negative side of ‘I’m not going to make the team,’ then you won’t. You can get what you want through persistence, determination, and just continuing what you’re doing.”

Donaldson found support within her team and has even met some of her best friends along the way.

The girls are very supportive. Our bench this year is still very involved in the game and cheering all of the time. I’ve made friends with people that I wouldn’t expect to be friends with. My best friend, we played volleyball together our freshman and sophomore year. It’s quick friendships, because you have to bond so fast and you spend so much time together because it’s at least 8 hours a week minimum,” Donaldson explained.

Outside of volleyball, Donaldson has a love for animals and has rescues of her own at home.

“I love animals and to play with animals. I have two dogs and two cats, and they’re all rescues. I love rescuing animals and the thought of getting strays healthy, and I’ve volunteered with a few shelters in the past, giving them attention and love instead of them being stuck in the kennel,” Donaldson said.

In her future, Donaldson plans to go into nursing to fulfill her passion of helping others through hard times. Her plans for nursing started with the television series “Nightwatch” and bloomed from there.

“There’s a show called ‘Nightwatch’ that I fell in love with when I was twelve about EMTs, and I thought it was really interesting. I joined North Montco [Technical Career Center] with Health Sciences and I met a lot of great girls there and enjoyed that class, and it took off from there. I just have a love and a passion for wanting to help people who are in their vulnerable state,” Donaldson explained.

The successful season for North Penn Girl’s Volleyball and Donaldson’s status of Player of the Game are reflective of the team’s and the player’s hard work, dedication, and strong positivity throughout their games. The girls will next take on Central Bucks West High School on October 7th at 6:30pm. 

“I’m really proud of us. Not just myself, but I’m so proud of all the girls and how all of us have grown individually and as a team. The growth is just so obvious,” Donaldson concluded.