As the student section cheers, “She’s a freshman,” Iliana Brockett cannot help but smile with her teammates after scoring another point for her team.

“It always makes me laugh because they recognize a good play, and I know that I did something good,” Brockett said.

Brockett, a freshman on North Kitsap’s volleyball team, has already made a name for herself in Kitsap County. The 5-foot, 10-inch outside hitter has shown she can make an impact early and often for the Vikings.

“She has a nose for the ball,” coach Kaelea Makaiwi said. “We needed an outside hitter that had her instincts at the net and could block.”

Brockett’s impact is more unique than a typical freshman on varsity. According to the WIAA, North Kitsap is the 10th-best 2A volleyball team in the state. Out of those teams, Brockett is one of only eight freshmen on a varsity roster.

“It feels like I achieved one of my biggest goals,” Brockett said.” In elementary, I always thought of making varsity in high school. Once it happened, it was a great feeling, and I just want to prove that I am capable of this.”

Brockett has proved to be the workhorse and one of the Vikings’ top offensive weapons. In their six games, Brockett has been responsible for several points through blocks, kills and aces. Plus, she has been a great addition to work alongside 2021 first-team all-league middle blocker Maddie Pryde and setter Sophia Baugh.

Brockett has made an impact on her volleyball teams since she was young. She began playing club volleyball for Olympic Premier Volleyball Club at 10 years old. She was originally pushed to play volleyball because of her mother, Angelina, who played at Southeastern Louisiana University.

“I started playing because my mom played in college,” Brockett said. “Ever since then she has told me I got to play volleyball. I enjoyed the competitiveness and striving to be better.”

Brockett’s competitiveness makes her play stand out. “I’m very hardworking,” Brockett said. “I’m never satisfied with what I got. I want to keep working and get better.”

Makaiwi noticed Brockett’s desire to win when she first watched a game at Kingston Middle School when Brockett was in eighth grade. “I heard that there were some incoming freshmen that could impact our program,” Makaiwi said. “Then, I heard specific names and started going to some club tournaments.”

In her 21 years coaching at North Kitsap, Makaiwi has had only a few make varsity. But all four Vikings coaches believed Brockett stood out more than nearly any player so she got the call that she made varsity.

“I started jumping up and down,” Brockett said. “My first thought was what do I need to do to contribute and was really excited to start playing.”

Even though Brockett’s push for excellence makes her one-of-a-kind, it can also be her kryptonite. “I was worried about her anxiety and how she would handle our student section,” Makaiwi said. “We need to work on the mental toughness part. It’s a big jump from eighth grade to varsity.”

In the first few games, Brockett was worried about being in the limelight too. However, she has continued to improve her mental toughness through her team and family support. “At first, I was nervous,” Brockett said. “I’m used to it now because all the girls are like big sisters. They are so welcoming to me.”

Makaiwi said, “I was concerned but she has been just fine. She realizes when the crowd or something gets to her, she is going to fix it at practice or the next game.”

Makaiwi has seen signs that Brockett can be the future of North Kitsap volleyball and even a collegiate program.

“What she has done from middle school to now is huge,” Makaiwi said. “If she already grew that much in that short time, what will it be like in four years? I hope one of her goals is to win the league championship and go to state and be MVP because I think she can do it.”

Brockett said, “I want to play in college and try my hardest and keep working during the offseason and during the season and hoping to go somewhere good.”

Although Brockett’s high school experience just began, North Kitsap’s program is excited to see where she can be in four years. “I want to watch her continue to grow,” Makaiwi said. “I’m excited about what the future holds for her. The biggest thing I like about her is she understands she is a part of this team and is unselfish.”