From one Leithleiter to the next: One sister passes the torch to another for Callaway football – LaGrange Daily News

The Leithleiter sisters were easy to recognize together on the football field. The two’s tall, lanky frames towered over their Callaway teammates, and the siblings have been joined at the hip in recent years.

Older sister Kadence and younger sister Alayna took a very different path to earn starting roles on the Callaway football team, but each made a huge impact during their final season as teammates.

Kadence just graduated and is ready to pass the torch to Alayna. Although they play in different positions, Kadence in midfield and Alayna as goalkeeper, the two forged a real relationship on the football field. Alayna joined the team as a freshman for the 2023 season and from then on the bond between the two has only strengthened.

“We’ve only gotten really close in the last few years and now you can’t separate us,” Kadence said.

Although they may occasionally bicker off the field, when they are on the football field together it is an absolute friendship as the two provide each other with a strong support system.

“I love that she decided to play, I get so excited when she makes a big save,” Kadence said. “We are constantly talking during the match or at halftime.”

“I’m very goofy and she likes to make fun of that,” Alayna interjected.

This prompted one of the many times Alayna made Kadence laugh in the middle of a game. “Oh my god, she’ll try to come out and head the ball, but she has no idea where the ball is. I can’t do anything but laugh, but if someone else laughs, okay, it’s serious now,” Kadence said as the two laughed heartily.

It took a lot of convincing to get Alayna into a pair of football boots and goalkeeper gloves. The younger Leithleiter was never a fan of running and had no idea how she would fit into the team. She spent the first half of the season as manager before the starter, Raine Hunt, missed a game. Alayna stepped in and made an impact in her absence and the rest is history.

“I had one practice for that match and I didn’t even have gloves or shoes,” she said, laughing. “I was so scared because I didn’t know what to do. I just hoped the ball would never come to me.”

Alayna is one of Callaway’s standout young volleyball players. Her ability to dive, move and yes, get her hands on the field, quickly translated to playing in goal for the Callaway girls soccer team.

“It took me a while to adjust, but I think volleyball really helped me score,” Alayna said. “I also don’t like running, so I don’t think I could play anywhere else.”

Kadence entered the 2024 season as a bona fide starter and captain. Alayna’s place on the team was more fluid. She had to compete for the starting position in front of the goalkeeper and ultimately earned it with very strong play further down the line.

“I remember one game, it was senior night against Sandy Creek, and it was raining super bad when she made some big saves to help us win,” Kadence said. “She made one save where she dived like it was volleyball, straight into a huge puddle in front of the goal.”

Her play did not go unnoticed by her teammates and coaches and she was named the team’s most improved player.

The two will both play in red and black again next year, but the shirts will have a different emblem. Kadence will play for LaGrange College starting in the fall, which means she can stop by in the spring to watch her sister help the Cavaliers.

“I couldn’t leave my sister behind,” Kadence said, flashing a big smile as the two made eye contact. “She’ll probably get tired of me cheering her on from the stands.”