Jane Kubat is one of Westside volleyball’s senior captains and the heart of the team’s defense. As the libero, she had spent years diving across the court, saving impossible plays, and keeping rallies alive. Recently, she celebrated a major career milestone, surpassing 1,000 career digs, cementing her place among the team’s defensive greats. This will be her last chapter with volleyball, and while it is a bittersweet ending, Kubat looks forward to college and her future with great excitement and gratitude.
Volleyball runs deep in Kubat’s family. The youngest of five siblings, she grew up surrounded by the sport.
Those early influences helped shape her into the player and leader she is today.
“I would say my sisters are probably like the biggest influence on me and whatever they’re doing like I’m always wanting to be doing and even though I want to make my own path I kind of just followed in their footsteps and I found that I actually really like volleyball for myself and two of [my sisters] actually did play at Westside too,” Kubat said.
Kubat eventually found her own passion for the game and began building her journey one dig at a time.
“I started when I was probably eight years old and then I joined club volleyball at Club Legacy when I was ten years old and I’ve been there ever since,” Kubat said. “I actually just finished playing my last club season there.”
Now wearing #12 on her specialist jersey, Kubat has embraced the leadership role that comes with being both a senior and a captain. Her impact reaches beyond statistics, as she has helped establish the culture that defines Westside volleyball today.
“It’s a really big deal. I mean, we talk about culture at Westside a lot so me and the three other seniors we really try to build a family here at Westside but also holding people accountable and sometimes it can be a little tricky but I’m really lucky because this is like the best group of girls ever and they just mean so much to me,” Kubat said.
The family atmosphere extends beyond the court. The family culture of the Westside girls volleyball team makes the grind of the season more rewarding.
“We are super close on and off the court. In the beginning of the year we started doing little dinner dates. So we would get together like a little group single on dates just to get to know each other better for the new girls on the team. I feel like the closer you are off the court, it translates onto the court,” Kubat said.
As the season nears its end, Kubat has had time to reflect on her long journey in the sport, and to prepare for what comes next.
“This is going to be it for me, I’ve decided. I’ve done this my whole life and I think I’m really just happy to end this on a good note,” Kubat said. “This last year, I want to go far. I want to win the state championship but after this volleyball season I’m going to be done.”
While she is going to leave her volleyball journey with Westside, she looks forward to continuing her life outside of her sport at Mississippi State.
“I really want to get out of state. Kind of just focus on life outside of volleyball and my sister goes there so that would be nice,” Kubat said.
Though her playing days are ending, a new chapter is just beginning. Kubat will trade in her jersey for a chef’s apron.
“Mississippi State actually has a really great integrated program with culinary arts and food science and that’s kind of my dream. I was thinking about going to culinary school for a bit, but I decided I wanted the college experience,” Kubat said.
Before college begins, Kubat still has some unfishined business on the court. As the season comes to an end and a state championship in sight, Kubat remains focused on helping her team overcome small challenges that can make a big difference in play.
“One of our biggest challenges this season is, we’re building up leads, and you can check in the Papio South game, we’re up 22-17 and then we lose the set,” Kubat said. “So just building pressure in practice and hoping that translates into the games so that we can be better equipped to win those games.”
Through all of the practices, tournaments, and championships, Kubat’s love for the sport comes down to one simple thing, the people.
“I think that my favorite part about volleyball is all of the people, all of my best friends and friends I’ve ever had have been through volleyball and they’ve always been just such great girls and my goal is just to always to build better relationships,” Kubat said.
As the final stretch of her senior season approaches, Kubat’s focus remains on finishing strong and leading a legacy that lasts.
“This is Westside volleyball. This is what it should be like building up to the next year and it’s just making sure we’re leaving an impact in any way we can honestly,” Kubat said.
With more than 1,000 digs and countless memories behind her, Kubat is determined to finish her senior season with the same grit and energy that got her here, digging deep one last time to lead Westside to greatness.
