At just five years old, PVHS senior Kaci Demaria began her journey into the sport of volleyball.
Her love for volleyball was nurtured by countless hours of play.
“I started playing volleyball when I was five years old. The more I played, the more passionate I became about the game, and I loved how it made me feel,” Demaria said.
From the beginning, Demaria knew that success in volleyball required immense dedication.
Even during the off-season, she commits to rigorous gym sessions three times a week, guided by her trainer.
She consistently prioritizes her diet, ensuring her body receives the optimal fuel for peak performance.
“As a mother, I watched her drive grow with every passing day. She’d spend hours practicing, and I could see how much she loved the game,” Kaci’s mother, Hannah Ortega, said.
Club season elevates the intensity with three weekly practices and monthly travel tournaments, and USA volleyball consists of a week-long tryout, followed by daily practices and intense preparation before major events.
“If you are rostered, the selected 12 will fly to the event location and have about two training days before competition,” Demaria said.
“Then, once competition has started, our team practices in the morning. We then have a fun team bonding activity in the afternoon and then a match in the p.m. hours.”
While her high school volleyball journey is marked by standout achievements and unforgettable matches, Demaria’s defining moment arrived when she decided to pursue collegiate volleyball.
The recruitment process was a rollercoaster, but in the end Demaria’s heart led her to Stanford University in Northern California.
“On my second official visit to Stanford, I fell even more in love. Everything about their program is just what I am looking for,” she said.
“So, at breakfast with the coaches and my parents, I knew it was time to make a decision. I finally committed to play D1 volleyball at Stanford University.”
However, despite all of the highs, Demaria’s volleyball journey isn’t without its share of challenges.
One season, a prolonged illness left her physically weakened and mentally drained, but it also taught her valuable lessons.
Reflecting on this period, she emphasizes the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive individuals.
“As an athlete, it is super important to surround yourself with like-minded people and others that have your back throughout your journey,” Demaria said.
Recognizing how important it is to surround yourself with supportive people is why volleyball isn’t just about personal achievements for Demaria, but team chemistry.
“A memorable moment in my volleyball career is honestly, anytime I can make another athlete thrive,” Demaria said.
Currently, Demaria’s aspirations extend beyond the collegiate level.
She has dreams of playing professional volleyball, with her ultimate goal set on participating in the 2028 LA Olympic Games.
“I would love to play professional volleyball. I am currently on the USA National team, and that is a great pipeline to professional volleyball,” she said.
“A big goal of mine is to be in the 2028 LA Olympic Games.”