Aussies Abroad #16 – Kayla Cantrill
In this installment of Aussies Abroad, Volleyball Australia caught up with Kayla Cantrill, who has recently started her ‘abroad’ journey joining the Dodge City Community College D1 Junior College Volleyball team.
“I’m a Queenslander through and through, I grew up in the Redlands and have always been into sports,” Cantrill said.
“For six years, I was all about tennis, hitting balls at the local courts and dreaming of playing in the grand slams – but then I discovered volleyball, and everything changed.
“At school, I was that kid who signed up for every sport going – cricket, oz-tag, softball, field hockey – you name it, I probably played it. If it was in season, I was on the team.
“But volleyball? That’s where my heart landed. It’s such an incredible sport, it’s fast-paced, powerful, but also full of finesse and strategy.
“It demands serious teamwork and discipline, and honestly, it’s just ridiculously fun.”
Beginning her volleyball journey in Year 7, Kayla has since stepped onto the court for many teams – from schools, regional, state and national – it was pulling on the green and gold for the first time that stands out.
“Hands down, my proudest moment was being named in the Volleyroos squad in 2023,” he said.
“Pulling on the green and gold – it’s hard to put into words how much that means to me.
“It’s more than just a jersey, it represents years of hard work, sacrifice, and passion and every time I wear it, I feel an overwhelming sense of pride and honour. It’s a dream come true.
“My first taste of international volleyball came in 2022 at the U18 Asian Volleyball Championships in Thailand and wow, what an experience!
“Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to represent Australia in some incredible places: back to Thailand for a development tour in 2023, then Japan and China for the U20s Asian Champs, New Zealand for my first tournament with the Volleyroos in the Trans-Tasman series, Vietnam for the AVC Nations Cup and VTV Cup, and most recently, Germany for the World University Games in 2025.
“Every tour has been a chance to grow, not just as a player, but as a person. I’ve learned so much from competing against different styles, adapting to new environments, and connecting with people from all over the world.
“My love for volleyball definitely sparked my interest in playing internationally, but it’s also the thrill of new experiences, exploring different cultures, and constantly challenging myself that keeps me chasing those opportunities.
“Now, I’ve just made the move to Dodge City, Kansas, where I’m attending Dodge City Community College and playing D1 junior college volleyball.”
As a new ‘Aussie Abroad’, Kayla has had to adjust to the changes that moving overseas can bring, but her passion for the sport and new experiences has helped her settle in quickly.
“This is actually my first time living overseas, before this, I’d only travelled for tournaments or holidays,” she said.
“I flew straight to the U.S. after the World University Games, which gave me a few days to settle in, adjust to the time zone, and unpack before everything kicked off.
“Coincidentally, our Brazilian teammate arrived the same day, and we clicked pretty quickly during those first few quiet days.
“Once my roommate arrived, things were still pretty slow, and I’ll be honest – it felt a bit lonely at times.
“What helped was keeping myself busy: setting little tasks, staying active, and making sure I stayed in touch with friends and family back home. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re suddenly on the other side of the world, but staying connected and giving yourself time to build new relationships really makes a difference.
“Now that classes have started, my focus has shifted to balancing study with volleyball.
“Managing time has been key, especially when we’re travelling for games and missing classes. It’s definitely a challenge, but I’m learning a lot and settling into the rhythm of life here.
“One of the coolest parts about playing volleyball abroad is getting to experience all the different styles of play, every country brings something unique to the court.
“Most of our national team tournaments are in Asia, where the game is super fast-paced and packed with creative combos, it definitely keeps you on your toes!
“Here in the U.S., the overall style is pretty similar to what I’m used to, but there are still plenty of differences.
“Even the terminology can throw you off at first – offensive plays, defensive setups, the way coaches structure things – it all varies from team to team.
“That’s what makes it exciting though. Every new environment is a chance to learn, adapt, and grow as a player.
“Being an athlete is something I genuinely treasure.
“It’s not a path everyone gets to walk, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and especially for the sacrifices my family have made to help me chase this dream.
“For me, it’s never just been about performance or results, it’s about representing the people who’ve stood by me, my family, my friends, my teammates, and my country.
“It means showing up even when it’s tough, pushing through the setbacks, and constantly striving to be better than I was yesterday.
“It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself, playing not just for personal goals, but for your team, your community, and everyone who’s helped shape your journey – that’s what makes it all so meaningful.”
Grateful to the community that has helped her during her volleyball journey so far, Kayla is continuing to dream big and work hard to master the sport she loves.
“My ultimate dream? Playing for Australia at the 2032 Olympics,” she said.
“That’s the big goal I’m chasing, and everything I do on and off the court is geared toward making that happen.
“Right now, I’m at Dodge City Community College, and after my two years here, I’m aiming to transfer to a D1 NCAA school to keep competing at a high level and finish my bachelor’s degree.
“After that, I’d love to head to Europe and gain some professional experience before Olympic selections roll around.
“My biggest piece of advice is to ‘never give up’.
“There are going to be tough days and times when it feels like you’re stuck or not making progress but that’s all part of the journey.
“Keep showing up, keep grinding, stay coachable, and push yourself every single day, the results will come.
“And it’s not just about what you do on the court – take care of your body, fuel it right, prioritise recovery, do your prehab and rehab, get enough sleep, and don’t skip the mental side of the game. Watch your footage, reflect, and keep learning.
“Most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself. Mistakes are part of the process, they’re how you grow, no one plays a perfect game every time.
“All you can do is give 100% every time you step on the court.
“Volleyball is just as much a mental game as it is physical, and from experience, I can say that learning to manage your mindset is one of the hardest – and most important – skills to develop. It takes time, just like anything else worth mastering.”
