Stat It Up- The Series: Top 5 Kill Leaders

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last year in 2021, I started this series of stat leaders for Kentucky high school volleyball players, and it was an easy way to cover some of the best athletes in the state. Ultimately, I love it because the stars from every school still get their name heard regardless of their season success, and then the studs from the state tournament also get some recognition. As readers, you see the players that deserve to be recognized, and that's just simply our job here at PrepDig. I want every kid to see their accomplishments and understand they are successful. I write these articles for the kids, and I love what I do. Therefore, let's get this series kicked off with the top 5 kill leaders in the state. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":263051,"width":174,"height":214,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":"is-style-default"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized is-style-default"><img src="https://prepdig.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2022/12/Screen-Shot-2022-12-10-at-1.27.08-AM.png?w=833" alt="" class="wp-image-263051" width="174" height="214" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><em>Photo: Somerset Christian School</em></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1, Addison Cunnigan</strong> (<em>Somerset Christian</em>)- Playing in only 73 sets for Somerset Christian, Addison Cunnigan, junior outside hitter, took the first place spot for top kills with 498 and averaged 6.82 a set. She also finished the year with 16 blocks, 255 digs, and 31 service aces. Cunnigan was the first ever Somerset Christian player to be named 12th Region Player of the Year and was also selected to the 12th Region All-Tournament team. These awards are so deserving because of Cunnigan's positive attitude and natural athleticism as an all around pin hitter. Cunnigan helped lead her team to a historic season with their first Runner-Up title in district and only appearance ever in Region. Can't wait to see what waves this kid makes in her final season next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"right","id":263056,"width":174,"height":214,"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-2022-12-10-at-1.30.05-AM.png?w=815" alt="" class="wp-image-263056" width="174" height="214" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Peter Wigginton</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2, [player_tooltip player_id='107399' first='Julia' last='Hunt']</strong> (<em>Holy Cross</em>)- With the most individual kills out of all athletes in the state, junior, [player_tooltip player_id='107399' first='Julia' last='Hunt'], middle hitter, had 664 kills in 101 sets which averaged her at 6.57 kills a set! She also led the team in blocks with a whopping 127 (58 of them being solos) and added 246 digs and 66 service aces. With this resume, you expect big things, so when I found out this girl is committed to University of Washington, it didn't surprise me at all. Hunt actually plays basketball and volleyball for Holy Cross in Covington, but her volleyball skill is like no other. Catch Hunt playing for NKYVC 17-1 Tsunami this upcoming club season! </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3, [player_tooltip player_id='68152' first='Maia' last='Long']</strong> <em>(Dixie Heights)</em>- I think we all knew [player_tooltip player_id='68152' first='Maia' last='Long'] from Dixie Heights would have to make the list. This senior outside hitter totaled 419 kills on the year in 77 sets which made her average 5.44 kills per set. Long is a player that makes an impact on the floor wherever she goes and will be your go-to attacker. She also helped the team in serve receive and defensively with 216 digs and then 36 service aces. In their last game against Ryle in the first round of region, Long racked up a double-double with 25 kills and 12 digs. What a way to go out in style for her high school career. [player_tooltip player_id='68152' first='Maia' last='Long'] recently signed to play for Jacksonville State, and she is so deserving. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" /> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4, [player_tooltip player_id='107402' first='Reese' last='Collins']</strong> <em>(Sayre)</em>- A name that really stood out this year was junior hitter, [player_tooltip player_id='107402' first='Reese' last='Collins'], who calculated 481 kills in 90 sets which made her average 5.34 kills a set. Notice how I said that Collins was just a "hitter" because at Sayre, you saw this athlete hit from every spot on the court. There's a rotation where she hits right side, one as an outside, and then three in the back row where she comes to hit a pipe. [player_tooltip player_id='107402' first='Reese' last='Collins'] was a leader emotionally but also by example. It's exciting to say that this stud recently committed to University of Buffalo. Can't wait to see what [player_tooltip player_id='107402' first='Reese' last='Collins'] does in her senior campaign next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"left","id":263059,"width":149,"height":326,"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-2022-12-10-at-1.34.06-AM.png?w=467" alt="" class="wp-image-263059" width="149" height="326" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Jodie Thompson</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#5, [player_tooltip player_id='253146' first='Addie' last='Atcher']</strong> <em>(Central Hardin)</em>- I've been saying this kid was a stud since I saw her a couple years ago at WKU Volleyball camp. [player_tooltip player_id='253146' first='Addie' last='Atcher'] not only proved my theory but exceeded every expectation and rallied 612 kills on the year in 115 sets which averaged 5.32 kills a set. This senior outside hitter went out swinging in her last high school game ever in a 4 set region final loss against Elizabethtown where she racked up 25 kills. [player_tooltip player_id='253146' first='Addie' last='Atcher'] was the kid to swing aggressively when the team needed it the most, and this squad will definitely miss her next year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->