Kohl Preps For World Deaf Championships

By, Joshua Flanagan

SAN MARCOS – Incoming junior Jordan Kohl had made a huge impact on Texas State Volleyball in her first two seasons of competition, and now she is set to make a global impact. The legally deaf student-athlete from San Angelo will compete in the 2016 World Deaf Volleyball Championships July 6-15 in Washington, D.C. That will be the first of her international competition as she will likely play in the 23rd Deaflympics, which will be held July 18-30, 2017 in Samsun, Turkey.

After two all-conference seasons at Texas State, including a Sun Belt Conference Freshman of the Year campaign in 2014, Kohl now turns her attention to international play.

“Around my freshman year, one of our assistant coaches talked to me about it, and he knew a lot more information,” Kohl said. “I was interested with it, but I wanted to wait one more year to get a little bit more college playing time and experience.”

Kohl, who is able to hear with the help of a hearing aid, has lost approximately 65 percent of her hearing ability at this point in her life. This past year was the first time in three or four years that she didn’t lose any more of her hearing ability, according to her mother, Lori Kohl.

“They can’t tell me whether gradually every year it’s going to be worse until she’ll have to (do sign language) and read lips,” Lori Kohl said. “But, as of right now, she’s doing well.”

In preparation for the upcoming Deaf World Championship, Kohl practiced in Florida with other hearing-impaired athletes. This came after meeting some of the coaches, players and retired players from the Austin area.

“After that, I was just like, ‘I would not mind doing this. It’s a good opportunity and why not take it?’” Kohl said.

Kohl, who has been a dominant force in her two seasons for the Bobcats, will play for the first time without her hearing aids in Washington, D.C. next month, as mandated by the rules.

Throughout the summer, continue to follow www.txstatebobcats.com for updates on Kohl’s play, and be sure to get ready for Bobcat Volleyball to open the season in Denton on August 26 and play the team’s home opener against Baylor on August 30.