News Summary
Kayla Neto, a Clarksburg volleyball star, reflects on her journey from high school championships to professional sports. After a successful college career at Cal State Fullerton, she transitioned into a career in tech sales while enjoying family life in Copenhagen. Her experiences in Switzerland and Denmark further shaped her athletic skills and personal life, where she now balances work and family. Neto’s achievements inspire those in her hometown, showcasing the power of dedication and perseverance.
Clarksburg Volleyball Star Kayla Neto Reflects on Journey to Professional Sports
Clarksburg, California, a small community in Yolo County with fewer than 500 residents, is home to Kayla Neto, a standout volleyball player whose impressive career has spanned from high school championships to professional sports. After her collegiate success at Cal State Fullerton, Neto has now transitioned into a new chapter of her life, which includes work in tech sales and family life in Copenhagen.
Neto began her volleyball journey at Christian Brothers High School in Sacramento, where she earned four letters and played a pivotal role in clinching the CIF Championship in 2008. Her exceptional performance attracted the attention of coaches at Cal State Fullerton, with notable recognitions including all-conference and all-region honors throughout her high school career.
In club volleyball, she honed her skills with teams like Delta Valley 15s, Force 16/17s, and NCVC 18s, which helped her gain visibility from Division 1 recruiters. Standing tall at 6’2”, Neto excelled in the collegiate arena, playing as a middle blocker and outside hitter from 2009 to 2012. Her contributions earned her multiple All-American and All-Big West honors, placing her among the top in 11 statistical categories at Cal State Fullerton.
Neto cherished her time at Cal State Fullerton, citing a sense of comfort on campus as a reason for her selection of the university. Among her notable collegiate achievements, she celebrated a preseason victory over UCLA, a crucial win against Long Beach State in 2012 that ended a long losing streak, and capturing the 2010 Big West Championship. Fond memories from her college days include postgame car rides with her coach and the strong sense of camaraderie with her teammates, particularly showing gratitude toward influential figures such as coach Vinh Nguyen, coach Carolyn Zimmerman, and teammate Gabi Dewberry.
Post-graduation, Neto took her talents overseas, playing professional volleyball in Switzerland and Denmark for three years. This experience allowed her to further develop her skills before returning to academics, where she obtained a Master’s degree in Copenhagen. Currently, she works in tech sales for a start-up known as Neurons.
Neto’s personal life is equally fulfilling; she is married to Thomas Scott Hughes and together they have two children, Asta, age 4, and Emma, age 1. Reed Smoke, a veteran supporter of Titan volleyball, regards Neto as one of the best players in Cal State Fullerton’s history, highlighting her significant contributions to the program.
As she reflects on her remarkable journey from a small town in California to the successes she has enjoyed both on and off the volleyball court, Kayla Neto expresses a desire to reconnect with her former teammates and revisit Southern California, a place she hasn’t seen in nearly a decade. Her life experiences continue to inspire many from her hometown and beyond, illustrating how dedication and hard work can translate dreams into reality.
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Additional Resources
- Cal State Fullerton Titans: Kayla Neto’s Journey
- ABC10: Delta High Saints Volleyball Turnaround
- Legacy: Ikuko Sakazaki Obituary
- Pacific Tigers: Emma Winkler Profile
- MaxPreps: Delta Saints Football
- Wikipedia: Volleyball
- Google Search: Kayla Neto Volleyball
- Google Scholar: Volleyball Career
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
- Google News: Kayla Neto
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
Anaheim Staff Writer The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
