Shane Purcell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism students who covers Desert Heights for AZPreps365.com.

Kayla Johnson is a senior at Desert Heights Prep doing her best to represent her school's competitive spirit and caring nature.

The Arizona native is a varsity volleyball player who brings her edge to the sport despite finding it late. “(At) my freshman orientation, I was greeted by Mrs. Martin who encouraged me to try out for volleyball,” Johnson said.

Johnson never played the sport before her tryout, but coach Courtney Martin had only great things to say about her development.

“I was on her all the time to fix certain things,” Martin said. “ And this year she came in a different person.”

Her improvements on the court are due in large part to the adjective Johnson used to describe herself: competitive.

Martin recalled a school-wide poetry slam in which the students could only use poetry terms from the 1600s. “She asked a teacher, 'Can we have Mrs. Martin come in because I want to battle her and I’m gonna beat her,’” Martin said.

While her favorite sport is volleyball, Johnson also has competed in soccer and track and field in club sports. “My favorite athletes are Larry Fitzgerald and Gabby Douglas,” Johnson said. “They set a good positive example for other black athletes like myself.”

Even outside of athletics, Johnson is passionate about staying active and growing.

“In my free time I like to listen to music and dance,” Johnson said. “In the classroom I enjoy learning and studying new topics.”

 It is no surprise that the fiery senior is interested in one of the more challenging degrees in industrial engineering.

Martin has no questions about her potential. “It’s that ‘I’m not leaving till I win’ mentality,” Martin said. “She is a natural leader.”