Stat It Up- The Series: Top 5 Blocking Leaders
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Continuing my top 5 statistical series, we move on to the best blockers in the state. Wow, do I have a good list for you today!! #1, Aliah Jones (Pleasure Ridge Park)– With the #1 blocks in the state, we…
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Continue ReadingContinuing my top 5 statistical series, we move on to the best blockers in the state. Wow, do I have a good list for you today!!
#1, Aliah Jones (Pleasure Ridge Park)– With the #1 blocks in the state, we have sophomore middle blocker, Aliah Jones. In just 70 sets, she racked up 168 blocks with 135 of them being solos! Jones blocked 2.4 balls a game on average which is just unheard of and then for a sophomore, that’s pretty impressive! She also helped her team with 109 kills. Last year, Aliah Jones was not even on the varsity roster! This kid has grit, determination, and the will to go block any ball that comes her way. We have a saying in the volleyball world that blocking is all about if you want it enough. Aliah Jones wants it, and she wants it all!
#2, Jessica Smallwood Jessica Smallwood 6'5" | MB Elizabethtown | 2026 KY (Elizabethtown)– If you didn’t think a sophomore leading the state in blocks was enough to impress you, let’s try a 6’4 freshman middle hitter that ranked 2nd in the state with a whopping total of 253 blocks and 220 of them being solos in 110 sets. Jessica Smallwood Jessica Smallwood 6'5" | MB Elizabethtown | 2026 KY must be one of the best hitters in her class to where she had 432 kills and averaged 3.93 kills a set and 2.30 blocks a set. Plus, as a middle hitter, Smallwood played all the way around for her team and added 170 digs and 48 service aces. Smallwood is a go-getter, constantly yearning to get better at the sport she loves, and will be a player to watch for years to come!
#3, Emily Schmidt (North Hardin)– An upperclassmen finally in the rankings, senior middle blocker, Emily Schmidt, showed up for her final year at North Hardin with a total of 146 blocks in 77 assets. The most exceptional part about this kid is back in 2021, her blocking numbers only consisted of 59 total blocks and averaging .71 blocks a set. Now, in 2022, Emily Schmidt averages 1.90 blocks per set. This just shows the kind of growth Emily Schmidt had over the span of a year and how much better she got for her team. Emily Schmidt was a leader, and North Hardin was lucky to have her.
#4, Kaylee Lindsey (Edmonson County)– Another senior middle blocker, Kaylee Lindsey, made the top 5 rankings at #4 because she had 166 total blocks in 89 sets. I don’t even know where to start with the amazing attributes of Kaylee Lindsey. As a middle, Kaylee also impacted her team from every angle with 322 kills (averaging 3.62 kills per set), 379 digs (averaging 4.26 digs per set), and added 40 service aces. This kid is just a flat out baller, and the player any coach wants in the game at all times. If you take a look at her senior highlight video online, Lindsey swing blocks solo to the outside and right side pins. Usually, you have another blocker setting the timing and placement, but Kaylee Lindsey is just that good where she gets there and touches about every ball that comes her way. Kaylee Lindsey was a stud and left a mark on Edmonson County forever.
#5, Gracie Friedrich (Calloway County)– Lastly, for Calloway County, we have senior middle blocker, Gracie Friedrich who finished the season with 159 blocks which made her average of 1.52 blocks per set. Friedrich was named to 4th District All-Tournament team where her squad lost in a five setter to Marshall County in the first round of district. However, Gracie put on a show with a double-double having 10 kills and 11 blocks. Over the year, she also aided the team with 141 kills and 37 service aces. Gracie Friedrich worked hard this year to help her team perform at the highest level, and the numbers only show her leadership!