'Skye' is the limit for Knoch's Burkett
JEFFERSON TWP — Early last season, Knoch sophomore Skylar Burkett began to belt out the song, “Stairway to Heaven” in the Knoch volleyball locker room.
Little did she know that her performance would turn into the mantra of a season that ended with a PIAA 3A championship.
“She was singing — she has a great voice — and it got changed to Stairway to States,” said Hannah Rowe. “It just kind of took off.”
Burkett was stuck as a reserve behind a slew of seniors, as well as sophomores Rowe and Kennedy Christy.
But her inadvertent contribution had a lasting impact.
Knoch used the “Stairway to States” slogan to galvanize the team on the way to a 24-0 record and WPIAL and PIAA titles.
Burkett smiles and shrugs when asked about the song that helped launch a state title.
“I guess it was a good slogan,” she said.
This year, with those seniors graduated, Burkett is getting her chance to sing on the court, and she's making a profound impact now as a junior with her play.
Burkett has been a star in the back row for Knoch and has excelled in every facet of the game. She never comes off the floor, has a strong serve, can dig with the best of them and is deadly at the net when she gets her opportunities.
“She's come along,” said Knoch coach Diane Geist. “She goes for every ball. She's just a gamer and a gym rat. She stays after practice every day.”
Burkett's play in practice last season also raised eyebrows.
“Having her in practice, playing against her last year, it just helped so much,” Rowe said. “If we didn't have her and if it wasn't for our JV team pushing us, we wouldn't have gotten where we were. It was something we needed.”
Burkett's play this season has also been something the Knights have needed.
Rowe also moved to the back row and the duo have formed quite the dominant pair.
With the lone senior on the roster, Kerrie Fitzpatrick, setting and junior Kennedy Christy having a monster year hitting, Knoch has won 38 consecutive matches and has its sights set on another state title.
Burkett has been the X factor.
“It's really exciting to be a part of the lineup now,” Burkett said. “I've been working my way up since my freshman year to get on the court. Last year, because we were stacked, I didn't get on the court much, but now I'm getting my chance.”
Burkett's mentality has been to not take any point lightly.
“I'm getting the chance to show everything I can do,” she said. “I just want to always go hard, to give it your all all the time, to make everyone else better. That's the key to success. I definitely try to be aggressive all the time and to hustle all the time.”
