By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

AURORA, Ore.–  For Kendall John, Tuesday brought her a new chapter of her life.  One that involves volleyball at the next level with a new team:

The Clackamas Community College Volleyball squad.

“I’m super excited, I think it’ll be a lot harder, but I like a challenge, it sounds very fun” said John with a smile.

The Lady Cougars finished 18-21 on the season after a 8-3 start and are in the NWAC South division that featured an 45-2 Linn-Benton squad that finished second to NWAC tournament champions Lower Columbia.

Now, heading into the next level, John hopes to build from the leadership foundations that she laid during this past season as her and Bianca Valenzuela had to step up big for a Lady Huskies squad that barely missed the cut for the OSAA 4A playoffs this past season.

“I definitely want to build on my leadership skills, that was something I had to learn this year with only two seniors I had to step it up a lot so I hope I can continue that and be a leader for other people,” she said.

One of two seniors on the North Marion Huskie roster this past season, the soon-to-be-graduate hopes that her and Valenzuela left a lasting impression on those younger players coming back next season.

“Just to have fun, don’t get too caught up,” said John.  “It’s all about having fun first.”

As for what she’ll remember most of playing with the North Marion squad is all the team bonding stuff they got to do during the journey of the season.

“All the team bonding stuff because I remember having a lot of fun on bus rides and stopping after games like at McDonalds,” said John.  “We always have fun waiting in line for food because we go with 40 people waiting in line, it was always fun bonding stuff and I love it.”