For the past decade, as Kaitlyn and Kourtney Wolters have matured into the adults they are now; their volleyball skills have followed suit, developing and growing from high school to college.

After playing alongside one another from grade school to prepping at Unity Christian High School, and for two years playing together at Grand Rapids Community College, it made for a unique transition in 2013 when the Wolters twins found themselves separated on and off the court for the first time.

“I haven’t known really anything about volleyball without Kourtney,” senior Kaitlyn Wolters said. “It was definitely hard playing without her at first. It was one of the biggest adjustments I’ve had to make in my life.”

After capturing a NJCAA Division II National Championship with Grand Rapids Community College in 2012, the Wolters twins parted ways. Kaitlyn had an opportunity to join Grand Valley State University, while Kourtney decided to attend Western Michigan University, where she played club volleyball.

“It was an adjustment I had to make, for the first time in my life I was by myself,” Kourtney said. “I tried playing club at Western and it just didn’t feel right for me. I guess you could say that I wasn’t loving the sport for the first time.”

After Kourtney’s experimental run at WMU, she contacted Laker coach Deanne Scanlon with hopes of joining her sister in Allendale. The feeling was mutual, and Kourtney joined the Lakers in the spring of 2014.

“I saw not only the success that Kaitlyn was having at Grand Valley, but also just how much fun she was having and I wanted to be a part of that. I wanted volleyball to be fun again,” Kourtney said. “It was always on the back of my mind, I was fortunate enough to play for this program.”

Kourtney now joins her sister, Kaitlyn, who was an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention honoree and All-GLIAC First Team selection a year ago. Meanwhile, Kourtney said she hopes that her work ethic and mentality can translate into a leadership role within the GVSU team dynamic.

“I want my role to be whatever can help the team,” Kourtney said. “I consider myself an energetic person on the court and I also fit in at a number of positions. I haven’t played one position for more than one season, so I feel like I can adapt quickly to anywhere they need me.”

With Kourtney, the Lakers added yet another experienced and seasoned senior to a team that already features nine upperclassmen. It seems the Wolters twins have the potential to bring added chemistry to an already close-knit team.

“You can tell just how comfortable Kaitlyn and Kourtney are with each other,” senior Christina Canepa said.

With only four games completed so far, it’s undetermined how the Wolters connection will pay off at GVSU. At the very least, the Lakers are hoping another senior will aid in communication and leadership. At best, it may just lead to another title-winning opportunity for Kaitlyn, Kourtney and their teammates.