Skip to main content

Davis Journal

Two BHS VB players – and best friends – sign with same college

Dec 17, 2020 04:40PM ● By Becky Ginos

BOUNTIFUL—Bountiful High volleyball players Brooklyn Wiggins and Catie Kukta have both signed with Peru State (Nebraska) to continue playing the sport at the next level. The pair were members of the Braves team that recently placed third in the 5A state tournament after a 12-3 season.

“We are happy to welcome Catie and Brooklyn into our Bobcat family,” State head coach Laurie Felderman said. “These ladies have great work ethic on and off the court, and their positive dispositions will lead them to be great teammates. I can’t wait to see them grow through the next four years!”

“We are excited for Catie and Brooklyn to continue their volleyball careers at Peru State and wish them the best in this new adventure,” head coach Sarah Chism said. “It is always special for us to have Bountiful volleyball players be able to move on and continue both their athletic opportunities as well as their academic successes. We are grateful for their dedication to our program as well as their contributions and examples as outstanding student athletes at Bountiful High School.”

“Signing with Peru was a dream. It was amazing because it felt like all that hard work finally paid off!” Wiggins said. “I have always wanted to play with my best friend throughout college, but I didn’t imagine it like this. This is a dream come true. It may not be easy, or 100% wish-fulfilling, but I know we will learn and grow together.”

“It’s a dream come true to be able to go to college and play the sport I love while earning a scholarship to help pay for school,” Kukta said.

Wiggins, daughter of Brian and Sheena Wiggins of Bountiful, began playing volleyball in middle school after dancing for 10 years and “realizing I wasn’t very good.” She set out to find something she was good at and tried the sport. “I loved the idea of throwing your body everywhere in order to keep the ball up, so I was attracted to volleyball,” she said. She didn’t make her junior high team one year, but worked hard and became the team captain for the same program the very next season.

The 5’4” libero and defensive specialist was also a captain as part of the Bountiful High volleyball team and led off the court in the classroom as an excellent student.

Wiggins said she is grateful for all that volleyball has taught her about being part of a team.

“I’ve learned that you don’t need to always be so strong on your own, you need people. You don’t always have to be a solo act through this,” she said. “It’s taught me what it’s like to want to work for the people around you. I’ve also learned who I am as an individual and as a team player.”

Peru State showed significant interest in Wiggins and after visiting the campus in Nebraska, she chose to take her talents to the Bobcat program.

Kukta, daughter of Andy and Heidi Kukta of North Salt Lake, started playing volleyball when she was 13 years old after competing in dance. She captained several club teams to high finishes in various tournaments with Club V and also qualified for nationals twice in beach volleyball.

“I enjoy the competition of volleyball and you get to know your team and rely on each other to do their job the best they can,” she said.

The private lessons and non-mandatory trainings she has participated in have helped the 5’10” setter and right side hitter accelerate her growth in the sport to compete at a high level. 

Along the way, Kukta said she has learned how to be a team player, work hard and accept wins and losses.

Kukta was drawn to Peru State because of Feldman and her assistant coaches who had already been very responsive to her before her campus visit. When she saw the program in person, she felt like they truly wanted her on their team and would help her succeed in volleyball and the classroom.

And now, the best friends and teammates get to continue their friendship on and off the court for the next four years.