Page 28 - Laguna Blanca Magazine Summer 2018

ATHLETE SPOTLIGHTS KELLY BICKETT

After a decade of key contributions for the Owls, the name “When we needed a goal, we leaned on her,” says Soccer Coach
“Bickett” will not be found on any LBS athletic rosters in the 2018-19 Kevin Shertzer. “I can’t think of anyone else that wants to win and
school year. compete as much as she does, even in practice. She’s irreplaceable.”
Of the talented trio of Bickett siblings—Brandon ’12, Ryan ’16, On the volleyball court, Bickett ran the offense as the setter for
and Kelly ’18—it is Kelly who leaves Hope Ranch as one of the most some of the school’s most successful teams. She was a senior captain
decorated athletes in recent history. and setter on the 2017 team that went 27- 4, and as a sophomore
A two-time All-CIF selection in both soccer and volleyball, as well was also an indispensable part of the historic 2015 team that won a
as a three-time Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Athlete of the CIF Title and went all the way to the State Championship game.
Week, Kelly Bickett’s name found its way into local sports headlines Her reliability is what stood out most to teammate Natalie
throughout her Owls career. Despite being a fie ce competitor, her McCaffery ’20. “As a younger player, I looked to Kelly for advice and
level-headed demeanor in big moments kept teams steady when they support. She’s strong as a person and athlete. In a lot of ways, I want
needed leadership. to be like her as an athlete, even though we play diffe ent positions,”
“She’s tough, and she’s clearly played a lot of sports growing up. I adds McCaffer .
don’t know if she loves to win as much as she hates to lose. She does Bickett says that growing up with two older brothers is a big
whatever it takes,” says Volleyball Coach and Athletic Director Jason reason for her competitive mindset.
LAGUNA BLANCA MAGAZINE She scored five goals against Bishop Diego as a senior, and tallied she said. “They made me ten times more competitive. Even if they
Donnelly.

“Watching my brothers in sports made me want to be like them,”
On the soccer field, Bickett was a scoring machine as a forward.
were bigger and stronger, I felt like I needed to keep on proving to
them that I could be better.”
numerous hat tricks over the years. She led the team in scoring even

Like her brothers before her, Bickett will grace the campus of USC
as a sophomore, which included a last-minute goal to clinch the 2016
26 Condor League title against Dunn. next year.

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