Katie Spieler gets after it on the volleyball court and in the classroom.
On the court, the senior libero for the Dos Pueblos girls volleyball team has the mindset she can pass any serve and dig every spike. In academics, it’s also about doing her best and achieving the highest grade.
Dos Pueblos volleyball star Katie Spieler carries a 4.71 grade point average.
Spieler on Monday was honored as the Scholar-Athlete of the Year for Dos Pueblos at the Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon.
Spieler’s academic credentials include a 4.71 grade point average with a course load of college-level economics, advanced placement English and AP American Government. She’s a member of the DP’s student government, holding down the responsibilities of the ASB Treasurer for two years.
Her college plans include pursuing a degree accounting and studying to become a Certified Public Accountant and a teacher.
As for volleyball, Spieler is a tiger on the court. Her defense and passing have been instrumental in DP’s success. This past season the Chargers won the Channel League and advanced to the semifinals of the CIF 1-AA playoffs. In her junior year, they won the CIF 1-A title.
She was captain of the 2011 team and was voted the Most Valuable Player.
“She’s just a joy to coach,” said DP coach Todd Garrett. “Katie’s taught me some life lessons and so much about volleyball.”
Spieler, the daughter Kathy and Paul Spieler, was born to play volleyball. Her mom and siblings all played volleyball for Santa Barbara High. Her aunts, Lisa and Kelly Strand, were standout players who went on to play collegiately at Hawaii and Cal Poly, respectively, and later played professionally on the beach. Lisa was an All-American at Hawaii. Her uncle played on the Santa Barbara High team that included legends Karch Kiraly and John Hanley.
“My relatives have always inspired me in their amazing athletic and personal accomplishments, and I am so grateful to be raised in such a volleyball-dedicated family,” Spieler said in her statement to the Round Table Scholar-Athlete committee. “My mom introduced me to beach volleyball probably before I could walk, and she also coached by first indoor team in elementary school.”
Katie earned a beach triple-A rating at the age of 15.
She plans to play college indoor and beach volleyball, with an ultimate goal of playing professionally on the sand.
So proud of you, Katie! Congrats on all your accomplishments! Academics first, and then volleyball! It’s a pleasure to know you and your wonderful family. See you on the sand at East Beach!