Alison Knop slammed 263 kills during her junior season, which led Franklin and ranked third in the conference.
This season, despite having 200 fewer chances, the 5-foot-10 outside hitter has nine more kills. Her kills and hitting percentages are higher, which she attributes to a few factors.
“I’ve been going to the gym a lot and working on jumping higher, which helps,” Knop said. “And then I’ve worked on reaching harder and snapping. Being smart. If there’s a huge block in front of me, obviously cut around it and don’t hit straight into it or you’re gonna get stuffed. Just working on adjusting.”
A strong work ethic is something Knop shares with classmates Adrianne Duvall and Rhiley Bryson, who are three of Franklin’s six seniors.
Knop, Duvall and Bryson have been on varsity since they were sophomores. That longevity has allowed them to post some staggering career totals.
Knop has 608 kills.
Bryson has 1,230 digs.
Duvall has 1,762 assists.
Franklin coach Bekah Brooks said all three are great kids.
“When I say great, I don’t mean that lightly. Some people say that lightly and they mean something different; I mean it, from the bottom of my heart,” Brooks said. “They make good grades. They do the right thing. They have good attitudes. They have a good work ethic.”
To reward the players for their dedication and work ethic over the years, Brooks surprised the trio by recognizing them last week after a home win over Pisgah.
Bryson was really confused, because the Panthers typically huddle together with the student section and celebrate a win with a cheer. But when Brooks starting talking on the microphone, she didn’t know what was going on.
“It was nice,” Bryson said. “Typically, you don’t get that kind of stuff in other sports. But it was fun. I liked it.”
“In all my years I’ve never heard of anyone getting recognized,” Duvall said. “With us doing it, it’s really special.”
“It felt like a good pat on the back,” Knop said.
Stats history
Where all three career totals stand in school history is the big unknown. Could they be records? It’s hard to say.
Individual statistical totals and records – just like several other sports – haven’t been kept in volleyball.
Brooks is in her second year as the varsity coach. Using money from the volleyball budget, the program pays for the video service Hudl. The Panthers film the matches (Danny Knop has spent countless hours in that role, Brooks said) and submit them to Hudl, which then breaks them down and provides statistics.
Videos remain on Hudl for three years.
Some sports, such as football, basketball and baseball, have records and Brooks wants volleyball to join the fray.
“This is the time we can start that capsule,” she said.
Example to emulate
When the opposing setter lofts the ball into the air, Bryson focuses on how far out the ball goes. She gets a feel for where she needs to position herself on the back row based on that set. She also makes sure her weight is on her toes so she can make sudden movements.
Lastly, Bryson tries to get a glimpse of the opposing hitters.
“I try to watch their shoulders as much as I can,” she said. “Sometimes it’s hard because you can’t really see over the blockers’ hands.”
Bryson made 188 digs as a sophomore, 621 as a junior and has 421 this year.
Duvall has an outside chance at reaching 2,000 assists (it would require a deep run in the state playoffs). She dished out 219 assists as a sophomore, 804 as a junior and has 739 this year.
She focuses on the shoulders when setting the ball. She also makes sure to move her feet to get in the right spot to make the set.
When she’s in the middle and has a hitter on either side, the decision of whom to set the ball is pretty simple.
“Whoever’s on,” Duvall said. “And then if everyone’s on, whichever way would psych out the (opposing net players) more.”
Occasionally, Duvall will send the ball across the net rather than set it to a teammate. She typically gets a couple kills per match doing this, all while using the corner of her eye so she doesn’t give it away.
Brooks wanted to recognize Bryson, Duvall and Knop because they’ve been a good example that these things don’t just happen – they have to be earned through countless hours of work.
“I want them to be a shining light for the younger ones that may be a little discouraged Brooks said. “Just like Adrianne, she didn’t play a whole lot her freshman year. So she just changed it. “You’re gonna have to put in the work if you’re gonna play. Don’t just sit and complain.
“I really thank them for not complaining, being an example for the younger generation.”