Malibu High School senior Paige Stoker is what they call a triple threat. Stoker competes in volleyball, soccer and track, all while maintaining excellent grades.
Stoker has been a member of the MHS volleyball team for the past four years. She is currently co-captain of the varsity team, which competed in the CIF playoffs last week. As a major player, Stoker has helped lead the team to the CIF playoffs over the past few years. Although typically an outside hitter, she stepped up to fill in as setter after the original player in that position was injured, making a seamless transition.
“It’s been great to watch her step up and accepting new challenges,” Dermot Stoker said of his daughter.
Stoker first started playing volleyball at the Malibu West Swim Club when she was seven years old. She began playing on school teams while at Our Lady of Malibu School and then joined the Malibu High team four years ago.
Stoker also made the varsity soccer team at MHS her freshman year.
“Her first season at MHS soccer she was awarded ‘Rookie of the Year’ honors, which was a stellar achievement considering the talent the rookies had coming into the season,” Dermot said.
Coaches Lloyd Kinnear and John Johnstone and friend Caysie Beetley played an instrumental role in helping Stoker to a fun and successful run on the soccer field.
In 2010, the varsity soccer team won the CIF championships. Stoker plays left halfback on the team, a position requiring lots of running along with work on both offense and defense.
Late in her career at MHS Stoker added track and field to her athletic resume. Initially interested in hurdles, she soon turned her attention to the long jump and triple jump, events she had the most fun with at meets.
During her first year on the track team, coach John Carey named Stoker “Most Improved Athlete of the Year,” quite a nod for a first-year participant.
On top of competing on three sports teams, Stoker also finds time to maintain a 3.9 GPA. She has always worked hard in school to be at the top of her class. At college, Stoker plans to study to become a teacher.
In her free time, Stoker enjoys hanging out with her friends. She also loves animals, particularly her cats Chubby, Harley and Roxy and the family Labrador Maggie.
Last summer, Stoker even discovered a new passion for trout fishing during a vacation to Mammoth Mountain. During a family trip to the Tioga Pass in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Stoker showcased her newfound skills, out-catching most other fishers on the trip.
“She is driven and it comes from within,” Tracy Stoker said of her daughter. “She is a sweet, sensitive and loving human being who cares deeply for her family.”