GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ‘93-’94: EMPIRE LEAGUE : Kierulff Has the ‘Hops’ to Excel in Many Games

ANAHEIM —  Kristy Kierulff is Esperanza’s version of Bo Jackson, only one sport better.

The junior is a three-season athlete, specializing in volleyball, basketball and track.

“A lot of people say ‘You’re crazy,’ or wonder how I do it,” Kierulff said. “I’ve been told I have some natural ability.”

Natural ability, indeed. Kierulff has led the Aztecs to the Southern Section Division II playoffs in volleyball, has been a starter on the basketball team each of her first two years at the school, and was the State high jump champion as a freshman.

“She’s a phenomenal athlete,” basketball Coach Marc Hill said. “With her combination of speed, quickness and explosiveness, I’ve never coached anybody quite like her.

“She sparks us into the fast break, and makes other teams conscious of her, which helps some of her teammates to score. She is not selfish, and she is great at anticipating on defense.”

Kierulff has boosted her vertical leap to 32 inches, which volleyball Coach Kurt Kersten said is comparable to that of most high school boy athletes.

“We say that she has ‘hops,’ ” Kersten said. “She can jump higher than almost any other high school player I’ve ever seen. And she can hit the ball wherever she wants. She’s the consummate athlete.”

Competing in three sports leaves little time for Kierulff to rest, but she doesn’t use that as an excuse, she uses it to her advantage.

“Track has helped me with basketball,” Kierulff said. “But basketball and volleyball have also helped me in track. All the jumping in basketball and volleyball helps strengthen me. I’m continually jumping.”

When volleyball’s postseason ends, the 5-foot-8 outside hitter will take over at starting guard for the basketball team.

The start of the winter-sports season will give Kierulff the opportunity to accomplish one of her biggest goals--dunking a basketball.

“My goal is to be able to dunk,” she said. “I think it is possible. I can pin the ball against the rim right now. I am going to start lifting (weights) soon, and I’ve never lifted before. I think it will make me stronger.”

One goal Kierulff has made strides in accomplishing is her improved confidence and leadership skills on the court. She averaged 8.1 points and 5.1 rebounds last season, and is expected to improve both those numbers this year.

According to Hill, Kierulff was the team’s leading scorer over the summer and was named an all-star at UCLA’s basketball camp earlier this year.

“I think she lacked confidence because her skills weren’t where she wanted them to be,” Hill said. “She worked very hard and is much more confident. She is maturing as a player.

“Her athletic ability and skills are finally coming together. She’s developing a jump shot, and she’s gaining confidence. If she’s not confident, she’s tentative and conservative. But if she’s confident, look out. She is the only one who can stop herself.”

Kierulff said she also has some improving to do in what is arguably her best sport, track. After winning the State high jump title, she said there was a lot of pressure on her to perform equally well the next year.

“Not making the CIF finals last year took a lot of pressure off me,” Kierulff said. “I wish I could have done as well as my first year, and now I want to get back up to where I was.”

Though she is only a junior, some local colleges have shown interest in her athletic talent. Kierulff said she would like to attend UCLA or Long Beach State, but will take whatever comes along.

“She will definitely get a Division I scholarship,” Kersten said. “She is just going to get better and better. She is going to be one heck of a player.”