At 16, Kendal White thought her volleyball dreams were slipping away.
After three years of traveling the country and competing at the highest level with one of Houston’s top clubs, she believed she was playing her best volleyball. But when tryouts came for the 2023–2024 season, her club saw things differently, offering her a spot on a lower-level team. Heartbroken, she declined, unsure if she’d ever play again.
“I felt discouraged and heartbroken,” said White. “I felt the coaches were wrong. I believed I deserved and earned a position on the national team.”
What felt like an ending soon became the spark for her comeback, one that would lead her to a new club, a new family and a starring role on Iowa Colony’s varsity team.
White’s love for volleyball began while watching Reagan Rutherford and her sister, Kennedi, compete at an elite level. Reagan, a close family friend who starred at Ridge Point High School before playing at Kentucky and Texas, left a lasting impression.
“She caught my attention because she was left-handed like me,” said White.
At just 11 years old, White attended camps and clinics before trying out for her first volleyball team. Not only did she make the roster, she earned a spot on the national team, which traveled across the country competing against top clubs.
“I remembered being scared because I didn’t know anybody, but I was just excited to make a team,” said White.
Before fully committing to volleyball, White showed her athleticism on the track with Pearland Track Xpress, running the 100, 200, 400 meters and the 4×100 relay. But when track began conflicting with volleyball, she made a choice.
“Her dad and I realized that she had real volleyball talent around age 13,” said Lisa White, Kendal’s mother. “What she lacked in skillset she made up for in speed and agility.”
After years on the national team, White expected to continue her rise. But when her club denied her a national roster spot heading into the 2023–2024 season, instead offering a lower-division placement, it cut deep.
White’s mother recalled how the family processed the setback together.
“We acknowledged her feelings,” said Lisa. “We told her that it was certainly okay for her to feel how she felt. We encouraged her to look for the good in this experience and think about the lessons this experience had taught her.”
With most teams already full, White’s options were limited: Sit out the season or find a new club.
“We stated to her that if she wanted to pursue volleyball in college, she could not afford to sit out an entire year,” said Lisa.
“For a moment I considered quitting volleyball and going back to track,” said White.
The setback weighed heavily not just on White, but on her entire family.
“Her journey had become a family commitment,” said Lisa. “Traveling to tournaments, practices/private lessons and personal trainers became a daily sacrifice for the family.”
As the disappointment lingered, Absolute Volleyball Academy Volleyball coach Marissa Stinson stepped in and introduced White to an athletic therapist.
“Initially, upon receiving the call, I was dismissive,” said White. “I was still heartbroken from my previous club experience and unsure of what the future would hold. At first, I did not want to consider the opportunity, but I took the call and I’m glad I did.”
“Her monthly sessions with the therapist greatly assisted in catapulting her game to the next level while developing mental toughness,” said Lisa.
After meeting with Marissa and playing on her club team at Absolute Volleyball Academy for a season, White became aware of an opening at Houston Stellar, where she tried out for their 16 Elite team.
Houston Stellar coach, Maira Perez, immediately saw her potential.
“When we were watching her tryout, she stood out with her court presence. She was hyping every girl on her team during scrimmage play and had monster energy every time she scored. We watched how she reacted when she messed up, she didn’t flinch or skip a beat. She recovered quickly like nothing happened and moved on to the next point.”
Maira Perez, Houston Stellar coach
White soon found herself at home with Houston Stellar 17 Elite, this time with a new confidence and maturity.
“My confidence has grown tremendously because I was coached by amazing people who have always pushed me to be my best, along with my two closest friends who have helped push me in my darkest moments,” said White.
That renewed confidence carried into high school. White now leads Iowa Colony’s varsity team with 67 kills and sets the tone as a leader.
“From the moment Kendal joined us at workouts, she has consistently been one of the hardest workers in our program,” said Iowa Colony head varsity coach Tracy Klembus. “She’s a vocal leader, always speaking up during huddles and offering thoughtful reflections on the set or the match. In high-pressure moments, Kendal never backs down. Her ability to embrace adversity as an opportunity to showcase her skill is invaluable, especially for a young program like ours.”
White has learned that rejection and resilience go hand in hand, but her greatest takeaway has been mental toughness.
“I learned that volleyball is a mental game and if I want to be the best, I have to perfect it,” said White.
Her mother hopes those lessons carry beyond the court.
“What we hope she carries with her beyond volleyball is the skill of critical thinking and mental toughness,” said Lisa. “We have a saying in our home that life will not always go as you have planned, but if you are mentally tough and a critical thinker, it should lead you to the right solution.”
About Kendal White:
Class: 2027
IG: @kendalwhite2027
Twitter: @kendalwhite_07
Position: OPP/DS/L
Height & weight: 5-feet-8, 135 pounds
Favorite artists: SZA and Drake
Status: Uncommitted
Favorite subjects: Math and science
Shout-outs: My parents, all my previous and current coaches, my strength coach, my mental coach and God
