WESTERVILLE, Ohio — It’s always awesome to see local high school athletes go on to college and continue playing the sport they’ve always loved.

Kennedy Hoffman is doing her own thing at Otterbein University. She is a graduate and former player for the Trinity Lutheran High School Cougars.

She dominated the Ohio Athletic Conference all season long, ranking second in kills with 391. She also recorded the second-most points for a player this season with 413.

She also had the second-most total attacks in the conference, eventually becoming the OAC Tournament MVP for her performance.

Hoffman spoke about winning the award.

“Being selected as the MVP of the tournament was such an amazing feeling. I think playing such a long season is all about being able to peak at the right moment,” she said. “I had my ups and downs, but I was able to continue growing by knowing my teammates believed in me and that even if I wasn’t having my best game, we would still be fine because of all the talent around me.”

In the final against Mount Union, Otterbein won the match 29-27, 18-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-11. It was the fifth straight year that the Cardinals were in the final.

Hoffman led the team in kills with 27 in the final with the Cardinals defeating Mount Union 3-2. She spoke about her big performance.

“That game was so competitive, and I think the biggest thing about being competitive is putting your best effort, energy and attitude out there,” Hoffman said. “So being able to see that translate for me as well as my whole team was the best feeling,”

The Cardinals (23-8) earned the automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Championships, eventually facing La Verne in the first round at Kolf Sports Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

La Verne defeated the Cardinals 3-1. Hoffman recorded nine kills and 11 points during the loss.

She was asked about the transition from high school to college volleyball.

“My growth as a college athlete is not one.I took lightly,” she said. “Transitioning from high school to college is hard. Everyone at that level has worked to be there just as you have. Being able to find your confidence and role on your team in college is key to being successful as well as trusting your coaching staff. I am blessed with a college coaching staff that supported me so well.”

Hoffman also spoke about her season as a whole now that it has come to a close. She finished her junior season for Otterbein and still has one more left.

“Now that the season is over, this past season was quite the fun one,” Hoffman said. “This team that I recently played with was one for the books. We were not only able to make history together but able to support each other through the highs and lows also. It will go down as one of my favorite seasons ever.”