When Warren Central’s volleyball season ends Tuesday at home against Terry, it will not mark the end of Brooke Kistler’s volleyball career.

Kistler wants to follow in her mother’s footsteps and play college volleyball. Laurie Wells, Brooke’s mom, played at Mississippi College. Kistler, who is the Lady Vikes’ captain and leading scorer for the past two seasons, is close to committing to play at Belhaven University next year.

“I guess it (volleyball) runs in my blood,” Kistler said. “My mom played college volleyball and has been very supportive of my playing here at Warren Central. She’s helped me out with some extra practice. It’s paid off. I’ve gotten a good amount of interest from the (area) colleges. I’ve talked with Mississippi College. Alcorn State has watched me and Millsaps is interested in me coming to watch them play. Belhaven, though, is where I feel the most comfortable. They don’t require you to have a 30 (score) ACT (American College Test) and it’s not as strict on some things as Mississippi College might be.”

Warren Central coach Greg Head said Kistler would be a fine fit for any of the area colleges which play the sport. Her 2012 season stats show just how versatile she is.

Kistler leads the team in service aces (72), rally points (122) and services received (146). She is also second in attacks (107) and tied for first in kills (55).

“She is the most consistent player we have and has done a great job in taking charge of the team as a captain,” Head said.

Kistler’s fellow seniors Taylor Willis and Mary Hall can vouch for that.

In two seasons, Willis, who has played basketball for Warren Central, has emerged as a potential college volleyball player as well. The 5-foot-11 striker leads the team in kills with 110 attacks and 55 kills, but credits Kistler’s efforts in setting things up for her.

“Brooke keeps me motivated,” Willis said. “She helps us keep our minds on the job. If we mess something up, she calms us down.”

Hall petitioned the Vicksburg Warren School District at the end of her sophomore year to add volleyball as a new sport for Warren Central. The board agreed, and both Warren Central and rival Vicksburg are making strides as second-year programs. Warren Central is currently 11-13 this season and Hall said Kistler is a big reason behind the Lady Vikes’ improvement.

“Brooke is a really good leader,” Hall said. “She definitely has our backs. She was already a really good friend before we started volleyball, but now since we’ve been playing, she’s showed so much heart.”

Kistler said a key turning point came after a disappointing four-game losing streak.

“We came back after losing to Ridgeland and then three games at a tournament to beat Callaway after being down two sets,” Kistler said. “We came through as a team. Coach (Head) put me in a position as a captain. It’s my job to pull the girls up when they’re down and back them up when they need it.”

Playing against more established programs like Madison Central, Northwest and Clinton has created plenty of work for Kistler.

“When we get down, I keep telling my girls that we’ll be all right,” she said.

At 5-6 in Region 2, Class III, Warren Central is out of the running for a playoff berth. Still, Kistler has an eye toward the future.

“I’m definitely motivated to play volleyball next year,” Kistler said. “But getting to play here at Warren Central has been a blast. We call it our little secret. We can be so goofy at times. Then I have jump on them to stop laughing.”