Science Hill’s volleyball program isn’t doctoring birth certificates, but its players are accustomed to assisted living.
A night after surpassing 2,000 career assists in a win against Wise Central, setter Ella Neal handed out 21 assists in the Hilltoppers’ 25-19, 25-15, 25-22 triumph against West Ridge on Tuesday night.
Science Hill improved to 2-0 in District 1-AAA and 9-1 overall. West Ridge fell to 0-2 and 6-4.
“Ella is doing a great job,” Science Hill coach Laura Cook said. “She is making great decisions about who to set when, and when to clear it out or go to the hot hand. She’s really doing the job running our offense.”
Neal smiled at mention of her career assist total. She’s now at 2,031.
“It’s amazing,” Neal said. “I obviously could not do it without my hitters. I have Addi and Chelsea (Blaine) and Chloe (Conner) and Clara (McBried) and Bryleigh (Scott) that can all put the ball down. They’re the reason that I get all those assists. It’s a team effort, which is really cool.”
Addi Stables was the primary beneficiary of Neal’s handiwork against the Wolves. She finished with 17 kills.
“She came to play,” Cook said. “I think she had 13 last night and 17 tonight. She’s really working hard and kind of taking the lead out there, wanting the ball.”
Stables finished three of the final four points in the first game, including a game-ending kill. She appears primed to take the baton from heavy hitter Autumn Holmes (North Alabama), who had a tough finishing act to follow in Jordan Hallman (Virginia Tech).
Neal, of course, helped feed all the horses. Stables and Neal – and many other Hilltoppers – have played together since the sixth grade.
“It’s great being able to have that connection with her,” said Stables, who smoothly converted a number of kills from the back row after sets from Neal. “I love being able to be reliable anywhere, and Ella makes the right decision. She knows when to run front row and she knows when to run back row. I think that’s definitely a weapon that we have this year. So I’m really grateful for that.”
Neal and Stables each delivered three aces. Neal and Avery Bragg tallied 13 digs apiece.
The Hilltoppers were effective blocking at the net thanks, in part, to Stables, McBride and Blaine.
“I thought we blocked well tonight,” Cook said. “I think our team really stepped up in that area.”
West Ridge, which graduated nine seniors after last season, didn’t go away quietly. The Wolves jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the third game. And after Science Hill rebounded to go ahead 21-15, West Ridge rallied to get within 24-22.
“It’s always been West Ridge that we are after, and they are an amazing team (program),” Stables said. “Their coaches are great. Their players are great. They all want the ball.
“Going against them, it’s like we want the ball, they want the ball. It’s a very competitive atmosphere. It’s the most fun environment to play in.”
Kaiya Sigaty led West Ridge with six kills. Isabelle Brickey and Aylin Ballard each had five kills. Brickey and Maggie Niebruegge finished with 10 and seven digs, respectively.
Remi Smith had 15 assists for the Wolves, which managed one ace while accumulating seven service errors.
“There were a lot of mistakes,” West Ridge coach Logan Kemp said. “Unfortunately, the theme of our season so far is when we get in close matches we make a lot of mistakes and don’t help ourselves out. … We’ve just gotta grow up and learn not to make as many mistakes.
“We’re gonna be playing good teams. Our conference is full of good teams. And good teams make you make mistakes.”
Kemp said Science Hill seemed to take advantage every time his young team had a hiccup.
“They do what good teams do, they took advantage of ‘em,” Kemp said. “Laura is a great coach. She knows how to coach up those positional players. She’s done a good job with the group that she has. A lot of ‘em are returners from last year.
“We had nine seniors last year. We’re learning on the fly with a lot of our girls because of those nine seniors. There’s a lot of on-the-job training, if you will.
A rebuilding season has the potential to be especially gratifying.
“October’s a long way away,” Kemp said. “There’s gonna be a lot of hard work along the way There’s gonna be some heartache. But we’re hoping we can figure it out by the time October comes.”
West Ridge will visit Tennessee High on Thursday.
Science Hill will remain in league play Thursday, traveling to Dobyns-Bennett.
“It’s a big match – again,” Stables said.
