SE: Haley Warner Boosts K-State Volleyball as Person & Player
Aug 12, 2021 | Volleyball, Sports Extra
By: Austin Siegel
It's a scene playing out across almost every front lawn in Manhattan this week, with couches and TVs and tables carried into apartments and houses and dorms.
Two weeks before classes start in Manhattan, Wildcats like Haley Warner are putting the "college" back in "college town." And like everyone else, she needed a little help.
"All of my coaches came and helped over the past few days. They did not have to do that and take time out of their night that they could be spending with their families," she said. "I've never experienced anything like that before."
She knows that might sound cheesy, but it's what brought Warner back to the Midwest and to K-State Volleyball, as much as anything that might happen at Bramlage Coliseum this season.
"It was one of those moments where I realized how much I really enjoy this place," Warner said. "These are such genuine people that I get to be around."
When the Florida transfer makes her debut with K-State Volleyball later this month, Warner will finally be able to focus on the sport that's been a constant through three iconic college towns.
The first, Fayetteville, is where she grew up and became one of the best volleyball players in Arkansas high school history. A four-time All-American (MaxPreps) and the No. 25 recruit in the country (PrepVolleyball.com), Warner didn't even start playing the sport until junior high.
"When I started playing club volleyball, it was super small and not a lot of people knew about us," she said. "But my team won nationals and growing up in that small volleyball world, everyone on my team went on to play in college. It was just this insane community."
Beyond the accolades, Warner said she discovered volleyball within a close-knit and supportive environment back home in Fayetteville. Those same values have defined her career.
It makes sense then, that Warner's first phone call with K-State head coach Suzie Fritz didn't have much to do with volleyball.
"We talked about who I was as a person and the journey that led me to that conversation," she said. "You've got to get to know the person first before the player that comes with it."
Warner said she was looking for a program with a family environment where she would have the opportunity to come in and fight for a spot.
Her volleyball credentials are certainly impressive, after Warner helped lead the Gators to three NCAA Tournament appearances and an SEC Championship during her time in Gainesville.
"You learn more as you go," she said. "Going into my fourth year now, it's those little experiences that teach you so much and these things you never thought you would need."
Entering the transfer portal before her senior season, Warner said that the opportunity to finish her college career closer to home was an important part of her decision-making process.
She made it a priority to find a school where she could play volleyball within driving distance of her hometown in Arkansas – Manhattan is only five hours up the road.
Warner said her family already has trips planned and hotels booked for the upcoming season.
"Fayetteville is just an extremely supportive community," she said. "Even when I entered the transfer portal, I got so many texts like, 'We support you 100 percent,' and 'If you need anything, let us know.' I think that was the most important thing for me."
Warner arrived in Manhattan in July and has been going through workouts and practices with her new K-State teammates. As one of only two seniors on the team – with two years of eligibility remaining – she will slot in opposite some of the most talented young outside hitters in the Big 12.
Aliyah Carter was the 2020 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and combined with fellow sophomore Jayden Nembhard to collect seven Freshman of the Week honors throughout the season.
Getting on the same page as her new teammates has been a priority for Warner since day one.
"We did open gym almost every day during the summer," she said. "I really got to know the girls, know how they play and what they need from me. That's going to be vital."
When the Wildcats begin their season with an exhibition match against Kansas City at Bramlage Coliseum next Saturday, Warner will get a chance to showcase that summer work in live action.
And with move-in day finally behind her, Warner can focus on balancing her Education major and her first season with K-State Volleyball.
As an opposite, flexibility is a big part of Warner's game, but some things are non-negotiable.
"I love to cheer people on whether they want it or not – I think that's probably a good and bad thing that I do," she said. "But I think the best thing a teammate can do is let you know how you can be better on and off the court. So, I just always want to be there."
It's a scene playing out across almost every front lawn in Manhattan this week, with couches and TVs and tables carried into apartments and houses and dorms.
Two weeks before classes start in Manhattan, Wildcats like Haley Warner are putting the "college" back in "college town." And like everyone else, she needed a little help.
"All of my coaches came and helped over the past few days. They did not have to do that and take time out of their night that they could be spending with their families," she said. "I've never experienced anything like that before."
She knows that might sound cheesy, but it's what brought Warner back to the Midwest and to K-State Volleyball, as much as anything that might happen at Bramlage Coliseum this season.
"It was one of those moments where I realized how much I really enjoy this place," Warner said. "These are such genuine people that I get to be around."
When the Florida transfer makes her debut with K-State Volleyball later this month, Warner will finally be able to focus on the sport that's been a constant through three iconic college towns.
The first, Fayetteville, is where she grew up and became one of the best volleyball players in Arkansas high school history. A four-time All-American (MaxPreps) and the No. 25 recruit in the country (PrepVolleyball.com), Warner didn't even start playing the sport until junior high.
"When I started playing club volleyball, it was super small and not a lot of people knew about us," she said. "But my team won nationals and growing up in that small volleyball world, everyone on my team went on to play in college. It was just this insane community."
Rock solid 📸 #KStateVB pic.twitter.com/0UzUjiLogU
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) July 30, 2021
Beyond the accolades, Warner said she discovered volleyball within a close-knit and supportive environment back home in Fayetteville. Those same values have defined her career.
It makes sense then, that Warner's first phone call with K-State head coach Suzie Fritz didn't have much to do with volleyball.
"We talked about who I was as a person and the journey that led me to that conversation," she said. "You've got to get to know the person first before the player that comes with it."
Warner said she was looking for a program with a family environment where she would have the opportunity to come in and fight for a spot.
Her volleyball credentials are certainly impressive, after Warner helped lead the Gators to three NCAA Tournament appearances and an SEC Championship during her time in Gainesville.
"You learn more as you go," she said. "Going into my fourth year now, it's those little experiences that teach you so much and these things you never thought you would need."
Entering the transfer portal before her senior season, Warner said that the opportunity to finish her college career closer to home was an important part of her decision-making process.
She made it a priority to find a school where she could play volleyball within driving distance of her hometown in Arkansas – Manhattan is only five hours up the road.
Warner said her family already has trips planned and hotels booked for the upcoming season.
"Fayetteville is just an extremely supportive community," she said. "Even when I entered the transfer portal, I got so many texts like, 'We support you 100 percent,' and 'If you need anything, let us know.' I think that was the most important thing for me."
Warner arrived in Manhattan in July and has been going through workouts and practices with her new K-State teammates. As one of only two seniors on the team – with two years of eligibility remaining – she will slot in opposite some of the most talented young outside hitters in the Big 12.
Aliyah Carter was the 2020 Big 12 Freshman of the Year and combined with fellow sophomore Jayden Nembhard to collect seven Freshman of the Week honors throughout the season.
Getting on the same page as her new teammates has been a priority for Warner since day one.
Smile 😊#KStateVB pic.twitter.com/0qdEaR6WNT
— K-State Volleyball (@KStateVB) August 11, 2021
"We did open gym almost every day during the summer," she said. "I really got to know the girls, know how they play and what they need from me. That's going to be vital."
When the Wildcats begin their season with an exhibition match against Kansas City at Bramlage Coliseum next Saturday, Warner will get a chance to showcase that summer work in live action.
And with move-in day finally behind her, Warner can focus on balancing her Education major and her first season with K-State Volleyball.
As an opposite, flexibility is a big part of Warner's game, but some things are non-negotiable.
"I love to cheer people on whether they want it or not – I think that's probably a good and bad thing that I do," she said. "But I think the best thing a teammate can do is let you know how you can be better on and off the court. So, I just always want to be there."
Players Mentioned
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