Palmer Ridge’s Kyra Kisting reaching milestones while leading Bears back to the top

Kyra Kisting has already hit some rare air when it comes to prep volleyball in Colorado.

The Palmer Ridge senior setter has a state championship to her name, and the Bears are certainly looking like a team ready to contend for another one in 2022. Another championship match appearance also came in 2019, though a loss to Lewis-Palmer that year still is something of a motivator for her.

While team accomplishments are at the forefront of her mind — match in and match out ever since she was a freshman starter on a juggernaut team — Kisting has racked up assist numbers that rival some of the best ever posted in Colorado annals. In a 3-2 win over Cheyenne Mountain on Oct. 4, Kisting surpassed 3,000 career assists, which is a milestone only six other girls have ever accomplished according to CHSAA records.

The Bears have won 17 matches in a row, and through the team’s Oct. 13 sweep over Lewis-Palmer, Kisting had 3,123 assists in 306 sets played. She joined the likes of Cassie Davis (Colorado Springs Christian, who holds the state mark at 3,715), Chelsey Lockey (Eaton; 3,615), Madison Webb (Resurrection Christian; 3,578), Sydney Cole (Cherokee Trail; 3,556), Chloe Baker (Wiggins; 3,367) and Kylee Kunz (Otis; 3,081) on that remarkable list.

As the Bears surge toward postseason with expectations of a deep run, there could be plenty more opportunities for Kisting to add to her total.

“My freshman year, it was a little bit scary because I was stepping in and doing all that for the team at a young age, but I wanted to push myself back then because I wanted to do the absolute best for my team,” Kisting said. “I didn’t know that there were any records out there (within reach) because the COVID season cut our season in half. But for me, I’ve pushed myself hard because bettering myself means bettering my team.”

In her third season as head coach, Erica Bradley feels more confident in Kisting than she ever has and the leadership is showing on the court. Then again, her first impressions of Kisting were also very telling of a coach who had a lot of trust in a young athlete.

“It was pretty obvious that she was a leader from day one, and she has led the team in our 5-1 (system) every single set in her four years here,” Bradley said. “That really helps in her confidence and establishes the trust level. She has a quiet confidence which is important for her position because she doesn’t seem to stress over things, or waver in her emotion. She’s set the tone for the team and has always had just great relationships with her teammates.

“She’s a kid that’s easy to celebrate.”

“I think it’s important for setters and hitters for the trust to be there, and I think also the trust from your coaches to be able to run different things that you want to run and things that you think will be successful — trying new things out,” Kisting added. “I’ve definitely gotten that chance, so I’m just truly blessed.”

The Bears have been challenged nearly every match this season, beginning with a loss to Class 5A Valor Christian and running right through the gauntlet that is the Pikes Peak League. In fact, five of the six teams in the league appear in the latest CHSAANow coaches poll — Palmer Ridge is No. 2, Discovery Canyon is No. 4 and Lutheran is No. 5 (No. 6 Lewis-Palmer and No. 9 Cheyenne Mountain round out that list).

Thursday, the Bears and Red-Tailed Hawks meet yet again in league play. Then, a tournament at Cheyenne Mountain finishes off the PRHS regular season slate with a regional host opportunity very much in sight.

So far, the team has embraced every single challenge they’ve faced and Kisting believes it’s only making them stronger.

“We are so lucky to have the league that we do because throughout our season we are able to play teams that challenge us and … show us some weaknesses that we can work on throughout the season rather than those things being exposed when it’s too late,” Kisting said.

“It’s been so fun to compare (match) one (against other PPAC teams) and (match) two against them,” Bradley said. “So far it’s been great to witness how much the team has improved.”