Stat It Up- The Series: Next Five Ace Leaders
Serving is an aspect of the game that every single person can learn, and all players could make an impact for their squad from behind the end line. Coaches say sometimes it’s all about serving, and they might just have…
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Continue ReadingServing is an aspect of the game that every single person can learn, and all players could make an impact for their squad from behind the end line. Coaches say sometimes it’s all about serving, and they might just have a point. Therefore, to finish out the #6-10 series, we have the next five service ace leaders.
#6, Nehkia Johnson (Shawnee)– With 52 service aces in 32 sets, senior, Nehkia Johnson, led the team behind the service line with her aggressive hard float. She had an average of 1.62 service aces per set and also a team-high of 1.97 kills a game. Shawnee lost the first round of districts to Portland Christian, but Johnson came in and served 6 aces to end her high school career in this game. Johnson was the momentum starter when things weren’t going well and constantly showed her competitive drive. Ending her career on a high note, we wish Johnson best of luck in her new chapter!
#7, Keylee Ayers (Middlesboro)– A sophomore outside hitter, Keylee Ayers, tallied 85 aces in 53 sets and truly showed what it meant to be an aggressive server. Averaging 1.60 aces per set, Ayers was the athlete that you wanted behind the service line when the game gets close. During the season against Lynn Camp, Ayers had a personal record of 8 aces in one match which is just outstanding. Serving is about aggression but also placement, and Ayers has both. Can’t wait to see how much she grows these next couple of years!
#8, Kylee Turner (Buckhorn)– The first middle blocker to make the top service aces list, junior, Kylee Turner of Buckhorn really turned it on behind the line with 91 aces in 59 sets. As a middle hitter, it’s hard to go up and kill a ball then come back to the service line and control that arm. Turner, however, balanced the two so well and had great control with her body. Averaging 1.54 aces a set, Turner knew how to lead with her lethal, powerful serve.
#9, Mariah McLemore (Middlesboro)– Another senior from Middlesboro, Mariah McLemore racked up the service aces with 49 in 32 sets. That is almost one ace every set played which made her average 1.53. As a serving specialist, you have one job to help the team with your serve. You have one point of going into the game, and it’s hard to completely fulfill the role of this position. However, McLemore handled it swiftly and quite easily. She is a great server and even better teammate that completed her job to the best of her ability.
#10, Emily Feltner (Red Bird Christian)– Wrapping it up with the #10 spot, we have senior, Emily Feltner who scored 111 service aces in 73 sets. In the last three matches of the season for Red Bird, Feltner had a total of 9 service aces with 4 of them being against a win to Middlesboro. Feltner was the senior to step up to the plate when she was needed, and behind the service line was her speciality. Feltner was such a talented player, and she will be missed for Red Bird!