Stat It Up: The Series- Next Five Assists Leaders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Setters are the glue to any great team because they keep the offense and defense going. Here are the athletes ranked 6-10 in the state assists charts that really led their team this year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":271580,"width":237,"height":166,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/Screen-Shot-2022-12-17-at-12.46.21-AM.png?w=604" alt="" class="wp-image-271580" width="237" height="166" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Sandy Lyvers</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#6, Catherine White</strong> <em>(Nelson County)</em>- To start off our #6-10 list, we have junior setter, Catherine White, who had 1082 assists in 108 sets which averaged her at 10.08 assists a set. White had two super talented outside hitters, and she constantly delivered a great ball to the pin on a dime for her teammates. With also 222 digs and 54 service aces, Catherine White impacted the team from every angle and held the team together. White was consistent and always performed her job well. That's why she was one of the best in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":271581,"width":191,"height":229,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/Screen-Shot-2022-12-17-at-12.47.50-AM.png?w=842" alt="" class="wp-image-271581" width="191" height="229" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Floyd Central High School</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#7, Taylor Hamilton</strong> <em>(Floyd Central)</em>- A star senior setter from Floyd Central, Taylor Hamilton took the 7th spot in the state with 1064 assists in 108 sets. Averaging 9.85 assists per set, Hamilton always delivered a hittable ball to her attackers and held herself to a higher standard. Hamilton also added 311 digs and 43 service aces to her resume while displaying leadership on the court in every aspect. Floyd Central barely lost in the district finals and then suffered a heartbreaker to Johnson Central in the second round of region, 14-16 in the fifth set. Hamilton ended her career with a double-double of 58 assists and 16 digs while adding 2 kills and a block. She went out in style and will never be forgotten for Floyd Central. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":271582,"width":175,"height":236,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/Screen-Shot-2022-12-17-at-12.49.26-AM.png?w=761" alt="" class="wp-image-271582" width="175" height="236" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Jim Arnett</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#8, [player_tooltip player_id='106663' first='Bella' last='Blackburn']</strong> <em>(Paintsville)</em>- Leading her team to a district and region championship, senior setter, [player_tooltip player_id='106663' first='Bella' last='Blackburn'] was the definition of quarterback this year. Not only did she rack up 1030 in 106 assists, but she also had 236 digs and 51 service aces at the height of 5'4. An AVCA phenom, Blackburn is quick with her feet and jump sets any ball she possibly can. You can tell by her team's offensive numbers that she spreads the ball out because four of her attackers had over 200 kills. Blackburn put on a show in the district championship with a triple-double then a double-double in the region finals. She is a true testament that size does not matter because hard work and heart for the game is really what's important. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":271583,"width":185,"height":264,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignright size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/Screen-Shot-2022-12-17-at-12.50.31-AM.png?w=680" alt="" class="wp-image-271583" width="185" height="264" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Angela Hoagland Price</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#9, [player_tooltip player_id='128189' first='Jada' last='Knight']</strong> <em>(Warren East)</em>- The starting setter for Warren East since her 8th grade year, [player_tooltip player_id='128189' first='Jada' last='Knight'] is now a junior for the Lady Raiders and totaled 977 assists in 102 sets. Knight helped the squad to Warren East's first region final appearance ever and earned all-tournament team for district and region. With 80 kills, 43 blocks, 349 digs, and 71 service aces, [player_tooltip player_id='128189' first='Jada' last='Knight'] led the team in every part of the game. The best aspect Knight brings to the table is her ability to bring the team together and make everyone around her better. Knight will continue to be one of the best setters in her region and obviously from this list, the state too. Catch [player_tooltip player_id='128189' first='Jada' last='Knight'] in club season playing for BRAVO 17 Black this spring! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#10, [player_tooltip player_id='128183' first='Kennedy' last='Murphy']</strong> <em>(Owensboro Catholic)</em>- With 881 assists in 94 sets, junior setter, [player_tooltip player_id='128183' first='Kennedy' last='Murphy'], was a key part to Owensboro Catholic's successful year of winning not only districts but regions. In the district finals, Owensboro Catholic beat Daviess County in 5 sets, and [player_tooltip player_id='128183' first='Kennedy' last='Murphy'] led the team with a whopping 66 assists!! All five of her hitters had over 10 kills which just shows how well she runs her offense and proves to be one of the best setters in the state. Murphy still has another year to display her stud setting skills, and I can't wait to see what she does in her senior season! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->