Senior Spotlight: Kylie Hanson, Luxemburg-Casco High Softball/Volleyball

Name: Kylie Hanson

Activity: Softball/Volleyball

School: Luxemburg-Casco High

Parents: Dawn and Todd Hanson

Hanson’s athletic resume covering her two sports is extensive. An outside hitter on Luxemburg-Casco’s volleyball team, she’s seen three state championships. She was a 2022 first team all-conference selection as well as an honorable mention for the all-state team. She has also received the Wisconsin Volleyball Coaches Association’s all-academic award two years in a row now. On the softball diamond, as a junior last season she was picked first team all-conference, first team all-district, team offensive player of the year and team defensive player of the year. Hanson is looking to build on a huge 2022 season that saw her hit two grand slams in a game versus Denmark.

What’s it like to be a leader on the Spartans’ softball team? Is it a tight-knit group?

Being a leader on the team is something that I pride myself in. When I was younger, my mom coached the varsity team, so I’ve been watching them for years. It was my dream to play on the varsity field someday, so it’s a surreal feeling to be able to lead this amazing group of girls. I think of the girls as my sisters, and always have their backs. We are a very tight group and truly are a family.

Your team is doing very well to start the year at 6-1 overall, 3-1 in conference, what’s the mood like at this point?

Coming off a big performance this past Friday, our team is hungry. We saw our potential early on and know that we can be even better. We treat every game as an opportunity to improve and I can’t wait to see what we will achieve the rest of the season.

What’s it like to hit a grand slam?

It takes a while to sink it, but when it does, it’s a feeling of pure joy. When I’m running home to my teammates huddled around the base, yelling and cheering for me and hearing the support from the crowd, it’s something that I’ll never forget.

Do you go to the plate each at bat looking to crank one out of the park or can you dial it back when a base hit will do?

I don’t normally think about how far I want to hit the ball, I just go up to the plate with the mentality of “I’m going to hit the ball.”

You’ve clearly set some big goals for yourself college-wise. Studying biology at UW Madison, what do you plan to do with your career?

I want to focus on the animal aspect of biology. I plan to study veterinary medicine or zoology! My dream would be to travel the world working in animal rehabilitation.

Tell us a little bit about your community involvement in LC’s youth apprenticeship program and with Canine Kids Pet Care.

Youth apprenticeship is an opportunity for students to get job experience in their career field while earning school credits! I’ve been employed at Canine Kids Pet Care for the past two years, and I’ve loved every second of it.

Being an accomplished athlete in two sports, how will you satisfy your competitive itch when you’re buried in biology and working your way through what will no doubt be a tough college track?

I would love to get involved with intramural sports while at Madison, and maybe even volunteer coaching youth sports.

Any pets?

Yes! Two dogs, Stella and Fred.

iPhone or Android?

iPhone