Central Bucks South’s one-season, two-sport wonder

When the PIAA eliminated its spring girls' soccer championship, forcing some schools to move their soccer season to the fall, a few multisport athletes knew they would have to make a decision: which sport to play in the fall.

For Meghan Kaminski, fall had always been volleyball season. In the spring, she moved over to soccer.

But Kaminski, a junior at Central Bucks South, never thought about making a choice. She didn't see why she couldn't play two sports in the same season. Neither did her mother, Amy.

So the two approached then-athletic director Mike Dougherty last school year about playing both sports. Dougherty said it had been done before, and he had nothing against it.

"He only asked that Meghan talk to both coaches to get their permission to do it," her mother said.

Neither volleyball coach Ulana Keer nor soccer coach Joe Bocklet objected, and each is benefiting from Kaminski's contributions.

The Titans' soccer team is 5-0-2 and ranked fourth in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. Kaminski has allowed only two goals as the starting goalie. The 6-foot-1 Kaminski plays all-around for the South volleyball team, which was 4-0 entering Tuesday night's match against Central Bucks East.

Bocklet likes that she's playing multiple sports.

"I have a problem with students who focus on one sport," he said. "They should be enjoying whatever they do."

Last spring, Kaminski proved her worth to his soccer team, which won the District 1 championship with a victory over Council Rock South on penalty kicks. During the penalty-kick session, she made several saves to give South an 8-7 advantage and the win. The game had been tied, 0-0, forcing the penalty kicks. South finished the season 18-4-1.

Explaining her desire to play both sports, Kaminski said, "I didn't want to let either team down. I decided I'd be more of an asset to the soccer team; that's why I made soccer my primary sport. But I don't have a favorite."

Fortunately for Kaminski, there have been few direct conflicts between the sports. On Monday, for example, she played soccer in the afternoon and volleyball in the evening.

Bocklet said it's her happy-go-lucky style and her height that make her a confident goalie. In the district playoffs, he asked her if she had a strategy for the penalty kicks.

"I'll get to what I can," she nonchalantly replied.

Her mother says she has a goalkeeper's personality, never letting anything, including a goal, get her down. Amy Kaminski calls her daughter a classic third sibling - wanting to try everything that older sisters Brandi and Kelsey did. Meghan took dance lessons, played a little basketball, and even had a fling with the drums but ultimately gave them up for soccer and volleyball.

"I wanted to play in the school band, but I had too many other things," she said.

Her height gives her an added advantage when she dives for shots high in the upper corners of the net.

Of course, her height helps much on the volleyball court, too.

"She's a gifted athlete and can play anywhere," Keer said.

Although she has almost two full years of high school competition remaining, several colleges have expressed an interest. Drexel, Pitt, and Maryland are looking at her for soccer. Villanova, Maryland, Michigan State, and Syracuse like her for volleyball.

Either way, the colleges will be getting a very levelheaded player and an honor student to boot.