Hat trick: Redmond High’s soccer sisters are set for 4A Kingco Conference action

If you drive by the Kieneker sisters on the road, you’ll probably hear the two girls blaring music, singing loudly and laughing in between songs.

If you drive by the Kieneker sisters on the road, you’ll probably hear the two girls blaring music, singing loudly and laughing in between songs.

Now that Redmond High freshman Cameron has joined her senior sibling Kennedy on the Mustang girls soccer squad, they’re spending tons more time together. On the field — and driving to and from matches and practices.

When it comes to the tunes, Kennedy is clearly in charge.

“We usually just listen to her playlist — all her music. She loves her music,” center defender/forward Cameron, 15, said.

“We have a wide variety. We go from country to hard rock. Oh yeah, I’m in control and don’t let her choose anything,” added center midfielder Kennedy, 17, with a smile.

As they glance at each other, you can tell they’re glad to be members of the same team, wearing silky white varsity uniforms and looking forward to helping the squad succeed this season.

They’re family and that goes a long way on the soccer field. But the Kienekers aren’t the only sisters ready to give the Mustangs a boost. Completing the sister hat trick are senior/sophomore duos Marisa and Makenna Messina and Veronica and Vanessa Chung.

“It helps with team bonding and team unity, but you have to treat everyone the same,” said senior goalkeeper Marisa, 17, of the sister situation. “Everyone’s a player and you want everyone to do their best, and everyone needs to contribute to the team.

“(It’s like) an old family reunion, because I’ve played together with Kennedy and Veronica for years, so it’s weird now that all our younger sisters are here,” Marisa added. All six girls have also played for the Redmond-based Crossfire Premier soccer club for many years, which makes their bonds even tighter.

Last season, the Mustangs finished 5-5-1 in 4A Kingco and 6-8-2 overall and lost in the first round of the conference playoffs. This year, they’ve got a new head coach on board in Ashton Griffen, who replaces longtime coach Patrick Scheibe who relocated with his job.

Griffen graduated from Cedarcrest High and played for Western Washington University. As a senior last season, she helped Western compile an overall record of 20-2-1 and notch a third-place finish at the NCAA Division II final four tournament.

Her assistant is Kristin Maris, who graduated from Issaquah High and also played at Western. She finished her soccer career tied for eighth among school leaders in goals with 28, eighth in assists with 17 and tied for eighth in points with 73.

Both Kennedy and Veronica, 17, will surely soak up some of the coaches’ soccer knowledge as they are primed for the college ranks, as well, with scholarships to the University of Arizona and San Jose State University, respectively.

“When I went and visited, I fell in love with the coaches, and the whole atmosphere is just awesome. I got to meet the players and I just felt like I was at home,” Kennedy said of Arizona, which also features copious sunny days that she approves of.

As for San Jose, Veronica not only looks forward to contributing to a growing program, but is excited to unleash her science and math skills in Silicon Valley.

However, it’s Redmond High soccer first and here’s some insight into those two Mustangs and the rest of the sister crew.

KIENEKERS

The Kienekers figure they’ve been playing soccer their whole lives, and teaming up for the Mustangs should be the perfect start to Cameron’s Redmond High career and close to Kennedy’s Mustang tenure.

Cameron looks up to her sister, noting that she is a solid passer and makes sure the Mustangs keep possession of the ball.

“It’s good to know how she plays, and she’s at a lot higher level than me, so it’s good to learn,” Cameron said.

Kennedy, a four-year varsity member, said her sister may be shy, but she’s a fast, aggressive player who will work hard against opponents to keep the ball at her feet.

It should be an exciting season, Kennedy said. “We’ve never played together before and with me leaving next year for college, it’s good to spend time with her.”

CHUNGS

Vanessa, a 15-year-old sophomore defender, may be small in stature but she’s prepared for the “intensive” soccer that awaits on the varsity level.

It also helps to have her big sister on her side.

“She’ll help me out if I need it. She will always support me,” said Vanessa, adding that Veronica is a fast and aggressive player. “It’s good to have her push me to do better. We both play defense, so I can watch her and learn stuff from her.”

Veronica also helps Vanessa with her homework as they’re both interested in science and math.

When it’s soccer time, Veronica said she’s there to help her sister, but also wants Vanessa to thrive on her own.

“I’m tough on her. She’s not gonna get anything too easy with me,” Veronica said. “We’ll practice at home on some skill work and do juggling, but otherwise at practice I’m harder and I push her.” Veronica added that Vanessa is a smart, fast and efficient player who usually limits herself to two touches before passing the ball.

Both girls have been playing soccer since kindergarten and once played on the same indoor team, but never together in the outdoor setting.

While Veronica is an extrovert and Vanessa is more quiet and reserved, they both feed off each other’s personalities.

“I feel that’s good for us because we learn things from each other. I’m kind of hot-headed sometimes and she tells me to keep myself level-headed and calm in tense situations,” Veronica said.

MESSINAS

For Marisa and her sophomore sister Makenna, it’s their second season playing on the Mustang varsity squad together.

They enjoy their soccer time and sharing a sisterly bond.

“On the field, (she’s a) powerhouse: she’s loud and she really guides the team,” Makenna, a 15-year-old center back, said of her sister. “Off the field, she’s like one of my best friends. She makes me laugh all the time. It’s just the best relationship I could have with one of my sisters — we’re so close.”

Marisa, who isn’t yet back to full strength after sustaining a concussion after colliding with an opponent during a club match, said soccer is made easier when her sister is around.

“She’s definitely somebody I trust. Being a center back, you have to have a good relationship with your goalkeeper or the flow of the game’s just not gonna be the same. I always know I can give her the ball and she’s gonna do good with it,” Marisa said of Makenna. “Off the field, I would say she’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. She’s equally as trustworthy off the field — I can tell her anything.”

But there is some competition among the sisters when it comes to shooting on goal in practice. Both girls look at each other and laugh when they discuss what goes on when Makenna is face to face with Marisa and the ball is set to soar toward the goal.

“I try extra hard to stop her shots,” Marisa said.

But Makenna said her sister doesn’t save all of them.

• Redmond’s preseason continues with an 11 a.m. home match against Ferris on Saturday.