LebCo Athlete of the Week: Akaiya Hershey

Akaiya Hershey showed exactly how much impact can come from grit, toughness, and being ready when the moment calls. In the Flames’ come-from-behind win over Northumberland Christian on March 7th, the New Covenant senior delivered a performance that went far beyond the stat sheet, helping spark her team from a five-point fourth-quarter deficit to a six-point victory. Her defensive intensity changed the game, as she created deflections, forced turnovers, and applied relentless pressure to the opposing point guard in a win that became New Covenant’s first-ever State Playoff victory. That effort earned Hershey recognition as LebCo Athlete of the Week.

What made the moment even more meaningful was everything Hershey had to overcome just to get there. Her season appeared in serious jeopardy after she suffered a broken foot during Soccer season and later played through a meniscus root tear in her left knee. In fact, it looked like her senior year might be a complete loss before she worked her way back in early January and quickly found ways to make an impact.

One of those early moments came on January 13th, when the Flames were shorthanded due to illness and needed a lift against High Point Baptist. Hershey answered with 8 points, 15 rebounds, 7 steals, and a block in a New Covenant win, offering an early glimpse of the resilience that would continue to define her season.

New Covenant coach Nicole Buffenmeyer said Hershey’s value to the program has extended far beyond one game or one stretch this season.

“I’m so proud of Kai and her contributions to the team over the course of these past four seasons,” Buffenmeyer said. “Even though she’s been in and out of the starting lineup, one thing is always certain: Kai is going to cheer and encourage her teammates no matter what. She often has the biggest smile on her face, and she loves to make others laugh and make their day better.”

Buffenmeyer said Hershey’s energy and attitude have always mattered, but her speed and defensive tenacity became especially important in the Flames’ biggest moments.

“Besides her strengths as a teammate, she has a lot of speed and tenacity, which becomes especially impactful on the defensive side of the ball,” Buffenmeyer said. “She came up huge for us during a few regular-season games, but especially during our first State game. She had the other team’s point guard so rattled, it disrupted their entire offensive rhythm.”

Buffenmeyer also pointed to the little winning plays Hershey made late.

“And then on top of that, she made some key rebounds and hit a late free throw to help seal the game for us,” Buffenmeyer said.

For Hershey, her recent performance came down to doing what she could to help shift the game in New Covenant’s favor, especially on the defensive end. With the Flames’ only senior nearly unavailable, she helped turn the tide in the second half and gave her team the spark it needed when the game was there to be won.

Her role all season also went beyond just defense. Hershey said she helped New Covenant reach its goals by keeping the group positive and energized throughout the year.

“I helped us accomplish our goals by keeping everybody positive and excited,” Hershey said. “I was always smiling no matter what.”

Those team goals turned into a historic season. New Covenant won the District 3 Championship for the first time in school history and then followed it up by pushing farther in the State playoffs than it did a year ago. Hershey also made a major impact during Soccer season, scoring New Covenant’s game-winning goal in double overtime as the Flames captured their second straight CCAC Soccer Championship back in October.

Hershey said her personal goal for the season was simple.

“To do my best and enjoy my senior season,” she said.

Buffenmeyer said Hershey’s path back from injury left a strong example for everyone around her.

“Kai sustained a knee injury during the Soccer season and was only cleared to play mid-basketball season,” Buffenmeyer said. “She set a great example of how to work toward a physical comeback, wait for the on-court opportunity, and then seize that opportunity.”

When asked who she would like to thank, Hershey credited her parents for supporting her and her coaches for believing in her.

Outside of Basketball, Hershey is a multi-sport athlete who also plays Soccer, a sport she’s been playing for fifteen years, and has competed in Track and Field for Annville-Cleona under the co-op between the two schools. Unfortunately, she will miss Track this spring because of her upcoming knee surgery.

When looking to what life will look like beyond graduation, Hershey will attend the University of Valley Forge, where she plans to pursue a teaching degree while also continuing her athletic career in both Soccer and Track.

Athletic success also runs in the family. Hershey’s older sister, Miracle, was an outstanding athlete for both New Covenant and Annville-Cleona, starring in Soccer, Basketball, and Track before graduating in 2025. She is now continuing her career at Waynesburg in Soccer and Track and Field.

When she is not training, Hershey stays busy with homework, dual enrollment classes, working at Wendy’s, and spending time with her younger siblings, Daniel and Kalia.

And when it comes to what she enjoys most about sports, her answer says a lot about the way she approaches them.

“My teammates,” Hershey said. “Everyone becomes one big family and it’s amazing.”

Congratulations to Kai on an outstanding job and on earning LebCo Athlete of the Week honors. Her senior season was a reminder that grit, perseverance, and selfless energy can make an impact at the most unexpected times, and best of luck to her in all of her future endeavors.