Joey Vacca is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Valley Christian High School for AZPreps365.com

A light hearted demeanor and a dry sense of humor are not typically thought of as leadership qualities.

But Valley Christian volleyball star outside hitter Cara Braun is not the cookie cutter leader. Her motivational methods for her teammates might seem somewhat unorthodox. Where some captains resort to a motivational speech, Braun leans on a quick joke. And while the San Diego State commit looks stone-cold serious on the court, those closest to her will tell you that is not always the case.

Braun is the youngest of three siblings, all of whom competed for Valley Christian and went on to play college basketball. Her mother was a collegiate volleyball player and cheerleader while her dad played college soccer and basketball. 

Despite growing up in a basketball family, Braun took up volleyball when she joined the YMCA team as a second grader. She found her home when she joined the Aspire Volleyball Club as a fourth grader. Now Braun proudly proclaims her allegiance to the same club seven years later. 

“I started at Aspire and I’m still at Aspire,” she said. “I love saying that because I’m so committed to there, they’ve made me the player I am.”

On the court with the Trojans is where Braun has really been able to steal the show. Braun was named to the 2019 3A All-Conference First Team after leading the team with a whopping 347 kills and averaging 3.6 kills per set. Both stats doubled the next closest player’s totals. But Braun’s coach, Lindy Ramsland, said Braun’s success does not go to her head.

“She is obviously an amazing athlete and player,” Ramsland said. “But she is one of the most humble players I have ever coached.”

While other players might think too highly of themselves, Ramsland said Braun does not realize how good she is. Braun has played on the varsity team in each of her three years at Valley Christian. As a freshman in 2018 Braun also led the team in kills (318) and kills per set (3.2) while earning a spot on the All-Conference Second Team.

But still Ramsland said Braun never boasts or brags about any of her achievements or accolades. Instead Ramsland called her, “a coach’s dream.” 

On the other hand Braun’s teammate, Ella Womack, felt the phrase, “hilarious hard worker” was a more fitting description. The senior Womack has played with Braun for three seasons. 

“She is super encouraging when you are down on yourself,” Womack said. “She is always trying to make sure you are doing your best, too.”

Womack explained that when Braun cannot seem to get out of her own head, the best way she can help herself is to ease back, be fun, and bring tons of energy. Womack also said that Braun takes the same approach when helping her teammates.

“Cara does a really good job of bringing people up,” Womack said. “For me she gives me good constructive criticism when I need it, but she also is a friend and an encourager when I need that too.”

Womack said Braun is a leader on the team, and her positive and funny personality brings out the best in their teammates.

Braun confessed that even in high stress situations, she loves making her teammates laugh. 

“It’s one of my favorite things to do,” she said.

Braun said that sometimes a funny quip or loud comment is enough to get the team relaxed and fired up to perform. 

While she has one more year at Valley Christian, Braun committed to play volleyball at San Diego State earlier this year. She called the commitment a huge step for her future, but is not quite sure what she plans to do academically. She described herself as “passionate about academics” and said she hopes to pursue something that involves working with kids and math. 

Through 15 games this season Braun is second on the team in kills with 156 and leads the team in kills per set with 3.6. The Trojans have an 13-2 record as they look poised to make another deep playoff run. And after just coming up short last year, perhaps another season of Braun’s electrifying play and positive personality will help the Trojans win it all.