Kendall Wilken Has Pacifica Christian Volleyball in Hunt for CIF Title
By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor
There is nothing Kendall Wilken cannot do on a volleyball court. She serves, blocks, passes, digs and spikes at an elite level and now the 6-1 senior outside hitter at Pacifica Christian High in Santa Monica is deciding where to go next.
Her multi-faceted skills were on full display Monday as she earned Most Valuable Player honors while leading the Seawolves to first place in the Varsity Dig Pink Tournament at Milken Community School.
A lifelong Palisadian who lives in Marquez Knolls with her mom Heather and grandparents Rich and Deann, Kendall wants to continue her career at the collegiate level but it has to be the right fit—somewhere that nurtures her creative side (she plays guitar and piano and sings and is interested in studying film).
“My family’s lived in the Palisades for 50 years which makes the town feel smaller,” Wilken says. “I don’t go into the Village much. I’m too busy at school or practice. I’m hoping to go to school in New York. I just visited Pace University.”
When not playing for her school, Wilken is sharpening her game at West Volleyball Club in Culver City.
She switched from middle blocker to outside in her freshman year and has flourished ever since, pacing the team in kills and hitting percentage.
No teammate appreciates Wilken more than her best friend of four years, senior middle blocker Kaylin O’Neill: “She’s super mentally strong and pushes us to be our best.”
After Marquez Elementary, she went to Willows for middle school and likes the location and character at Pacifica Christian, which is No. 5 in this week’s Southern Section Division 8 girls volleyball poll.
“I like hitting most,” Wilken says. “There’s something about getting a nice kill that makes you feel good.
What I’m most proud of is winning league and getting to the [Division 9] semifinals last season. I try not to be too vocal but at times it’s necessary to speak up. There’s a balance.”
Wilken made All-League as a freshman and junior (her sophomore season was canceled due to the coronavirus) and she was voted All-CIF last fall. Pacifica Christian moved from the Independence League to the Liberty League this year and is tied for third place entering tonight’s home match versus Pilibos. The centerpiece of an experienced lineup that also features senior opposite hitter and Highlands resident Frances Abu Shanab, Wilken’s burning intensity has rubbed off on her younger teammates, including sophomore defensive specialists Isabel Milner and Elyse Ennis, who both live in the Alphabet Streets.
“This is my first year on the team but already I’ve learned a lot from her,” Milner says. “Kendall’s a nice person and really supportive.”
At a young age Wilken was encouraged to try basketball because of her height but she quickly found volleyball more to her liking, though surprisingly, given where she lives, she is not big on the beach game.
“Volleyball has taught me many valuable life lessons,” she admits. “Like how to deal with a negative moment. If I make a mistake I don’t have to get too upset because if I learn from it I’ll benefit in the end.”
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