PULLMAN, Wash. – Kate Hayhurst joined Washington State Volleyball after spending her spring with Kansas. Prior to WSU, Hayhurst played for Idaho Crush, a club team based in Twin Falls, Idaho. Hayhurst was able to help them win four qualifier tournaments.
 
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with freshman Kate Hayhurst.
 
Why did you choose WSU?
 
I chose WSU for volleyball, of course. But I really love the staff, and they're really caring about us as players. Not only on the court, but off the court as well, and they're always looking to build those relationships with every single person. I also just like the campus. I think it's pretty and just all right here - you don't have to go super far, and the environment in general is fun.
 
How has playing for WSU been different than playing for Crush or your high school team?
 
Playing at WSU and at the college level in general is different because it's more like a job, it's not something that you're paying to do. It's kind of the opposite and you're just more responsible for yourself. You're living on your own, your parents aren't there to get you to practice or to lift and to help take care of you. You're just on your own, so you are responsible for how you recover, your sleep, just doing the right things. I think that's been the biggest difference, just having to do everything on your own and take it more seriously.
 
What has been your favorite part of WSU so far?
 
My favorite part about WSU is meeting new people and building new relationships with my teammates, classmates and everyone around me. It's such, a small college town where we can get to know each other and be friends, and have a fun experience and environment at all the games, like our games and football games.
 
How have you and your brother motivated each other? How has he influenced you when it comes to sports?
 
When it comes to sports, he's influenced me by just always being there for me, giving me advice when I ask for it. I mean, he's played college basketball, so he understands what it takes to be at this level and to play at a high level in sports. He's kind of always taught me just what I need to do and been there for me. He asked me about all the games after and what he thinks I did well, what I could have done better. If I ever need advice about school, sports, anything in life, he's just always there and is always good with his words since he's lived through it.
 
Do you have a piece of advice that he's given you that stands out?
 
A piece of advice he's given me is to just take every opportunity you get and give it your best and just play loose, let loose, and have fun.
 
What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
 
To have no regrets, just enjoy everything in life and be grateful. Don't take anything for granted, because a lot of people would do anything to be the shoes I'm in. So just taking nothing for granted and enjoying every moment, that's something that's just stuck with me lately.
 
What is something that you're excited for?
 
I'm excited to play in Bohler. Before this season I had yet to play in Bohler and see or even go to a game. There's all this talk that it gets loud, you have the band, a lot of support and a lot of people there. So, I'm mostly excited for that, just to play in the environment because I thrive off loud environments and energy. But I'm also excited to just see this conference we're in and where we finish, because I feel like we have a good solid team, and we have a lot of depth. So, I'm excited to see how we finish at the end of the season in general and what the competition's like.
 
What is something that you think fans should know about you and should expect?
 
I think fans should know that I'm loud and energetic. So, if they're loud and energetic, it'll just push me more to be loud and have fun. But I also take care of business so they should know that. I'm going to bring the energy and the competitiveness. I'm a competitive person.
 
Do you have a favorite food or coffee spot in Pullman?
 
Roost is up there, you know, go there on a good Sunday morning, do some schoolwork with your teammates. I mean, nothing can really beat that, but I also like Gypsy Java. I like their energy drinks there. Definitely going to get some of those before game days, but yeah, Roost is probably my favorite. And then Gypsy Java next.
 
Do you have a favorite hike that you've done?
 
When I went to Hawaii with my family in May or something. We went on this hike, and it overlooked the ocean, and we went right at sunset. It was through a forest, but you could see the sunset just peeking through the trees. And then we got to the top and it was just an open view of everything. So that's probably my favorite one.
 
Do you have a favorite water sport?
 
My favorite water sport is probably wake-surfing. It's the best one that I'm good at, or tubing is up there too. But my favorite is probably wake surfing. You can just do a lot with it. You can learn tricks, it's just fun, it's an escape. I was able to do it when I went home during the 4th of July.