Plymouth Christian Academy's Malcolm has made positive early impressions

  Over the past two years, Plymouth Christian Academy's Kristin Malcolm has established herself as one of the best volleyball/basketball players in the Michigan Independent Athletic Conference -- and she's only a sophomore. While her 5 feet, 10.5-inch height helps, but it's her combination of athleticism and instincts that sets her apart.

  Malcolm took a few minutes after practice last week to answer a few questions from PlymouthCantonSports.com's Ed Wright.

ED WRIGHT: If you could only play one sport -- volleyball or basketball -- which one would it be?

KRISTIN MALCOLM: Volleyball. I've always loved playing volleyball. I like basketball a lot, too, but I think I'm better at volleyball.

EW: What is it about volleyball that appeals to you the most?

KM: My favorite thing is that it's such a team sport. In basketball, if you have one really good player, you can do well. With volleyball, you need six really good players. I love the fact that you can't win with a a one-person team.

EW: What is the key to being a good middle blocker?

KM: Being tall helps, but timing is huge, too. You have to know when to go up and when to stop following the ball

and when to start following the players. It takes a lot of practice. I wasn't good at it when I first started. Having natural talent from God helps, too.

EW: How do you juggle the two sports in the summer?

KM: It helps that both my coaches know each other, so there aren't a lot of conflicts. It was hard last year during basketball season because I was playing club volleyball at the same time, but I'm not sure if I'm going to do that again this year.

EW: What part of your basketball game are you most proud of?

KM: I like scoring around the basket.

EW: How do you like playing for a smaller school?

KM: It's all I've ever known, so I can't compare it to playing for one of the schools at the Park. I love going to a small school.

EW: Is the rest of your family into sports?

KM: Definitely. My younger sister, who is in eighth grade, plays basketball and volleyball, and she's as tall as I am already, so she'll be passing me up soon. My younger brother loves sports, too.

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