Fact Box: Kim Hill
– Height: 6’ 4”
– Volleyball Experience: 10 years
– Position: Middle Blocker
– Hometown: Portland, Oregon
– Favorite Memory: beating UCLA
For most Pepperdine students, Italy, Germany and France are possible international program destinations. For volleyball player senior Kim Hill, however, they are possible future career destinations.
“I hope to play overseas in Europe once I’m done at Pepperdine,” Hill said. “How long I play will depend on how much I like it. Seasons are almost a year long over in Europe, which will be tough, but I hear it’s an incredible experience.”
While the decision to play volleyball in a different country following graduation appears unconventional, it makes sense considering her athletic career thus far has not gone exactly by the book.
Hill didn’t pick up volleyball until 7th grade. Prior to that she grew up playing soccer and basketball.
Her mom, Terri Hill, explained how Kim naturally picked up the sport when she tried out for her sister’s club volleyball team.
“Kim had always been a very sweet and shy girl, so this was very scary for her,” Mrs. Hill said. “She didn’t have many volleyball skills, so she watched other girls at the tryout and tried to mimic their techniques during the drills.
“I sat in the bleachers and tried not to chuckle. She did well and made the team, though. We watched her as she quickly passed her teammates by with her skills.”
Despite her success at an early age, Hill did not play club volleyball her freshman year of high school, and it took her until her sophomore year to decide she would pursue volleyball in college.
She ended up playing three seasons with the Northwest Nike Juniors Volleyball Club, and led them to two national championships. College recruiters took notice. Hill received a letter from Pepperdine her sophomore year.
“When the recruiting letters began to arrive, I picked up the Pepperdine letter and teased her with it,” Mrs. Hill said. “I showed her the beautiful pictures of the campus and suggested she take a look at it.”
In her junior year Hill visited campus, fell in love with it, committed to the team and now she is playing her fourth year on scholarship.
Although Mrs. Hill emphasized how ultimately Hill made the final decision to move to Malibu, it is still apparent that Hill’s parents are undoubtedly involved in her life.
“My parents definitely have supported me the most in my volleyball career,” Hill said. “They got me playing young and practicing, and they have really encouraged me.”
Her parents attend games whenever possible. This year they have watched nearly every game, according to Hill. At least Hill has a home away from home—and can save her parents a trip—when the Waves play at the University of Portland.
“I love playing at Portland,” Hill said. “I get to see so many friends and family. It’s surprisingly refreshing.”
This year, in the women’s volleyball team’s first conference match of the season on Sept. 22, Hill gave her hometown crowd a performance to remember. Not only did she finish with 17 kills and 15 digs, but she also joined Pepperdine’s 1,000-kills club. Even though it was an away game, Portland flashed a sign of congratulations to her on the screen in their gym.
“We were all surprised, very proud and happy for her,” Mrs. Hill said. “Kim told me later that she didn’t know what was going on and hadn’t seen the announcement. For her it was all business on the court.”
Besides Portland, the only other teams the Waves play out of state are Gonzaga and the newly added BYU club, which is good since travel games can be tough on players. But Hill does not mind the road trips.
“I really like to play anytime there’s a big crowd,” Hill said. “It was fun playing at BYU since it was a new experience.”
Hill also had a new experience a couple years ago when she studied abroad for a summer in Florence, Italy. While in Florence, Hill also managed to master another sport.
“In Florence her name in the house was Kim ‘Pong’ Hill,” roommate senior Kristina Fertala said. “To this day she has only been defeated once [in ping pong].”
The 6-foot 4-inch Hill fit a workout in at least three times a week while in Florence to stay in shape, according to Fertala. Hill said the fact that seven other athletes were in the house with her helped keep her motivated.
Head Coach Nina Matthies has witnessed Hill’s strong work ethic for four years, and when asked to name some of Hill’s best traits, Matthies could not name just one.
“She’s a really hard worker, a joy to coach, a great teammate, she’s easy to coach, she’s a quiet leader and a tremendous student athlete,” Matthies said. “She works hard because she wants to be good.”
Senior Lilla Frederick, her teammate, also had nothing but good things to say about Hill.
“She’s the funniest person to be around,” Frederick said. “She’s the best friend anyone could ask for, and she’s the best teammate.”
Off the court, Hill’s intensity softens according to her roommate, Fertala, who has been Hill’s friend for three years.
“I love her comforting and relaxed attitude,” Fertala said. “Kim always handles situations with elegance and grace in the way that things don’t faze her. She steadily goes through life knowing that things will always work out in the Lord’s favor.”
Hill’s faith is an important aspect in her life that she takes seriously. And it shows through her personality.
“Kim not only can play volleyball well, but she is such a sweet, loving and humble young woman with compassion for others,” Mrs. Hill said. “She loves Jesus, and is passionate about her biblical studies, too.
“We are usually among the last to know when she receives an award, because she doesn’t like to talk about it.”
With her humble demeanor, lengthy ambitions and God-first mentality, Hill should have no problems succeeding in volleyball and life.
“Sometimes in the world of athletics it’s extremely hard to keep a humble attitude,” Hill said. “Remembering that you have not done anything, but rather that God has blessed you with any talents and abilities you have.
“I fail all the time at remembering that, but thankfully [God’s] grace and mercy is more than enough to cover all of my failures.”
