Kiger a queen of kills

GREENVILLE — Abbey Kiger knows how to make shots in volleyball that opponents are unable to return, which are kills or spikes that score points for her Thiel College volleyball team.

A junior and 5-foot-9 offensive hitter from Mineral Ridge High, Kiger recently became the third Thiel volleyball player to exceed 1,000 kills for her career, and she now is closing in on two school records.

She surpassed 1,000 career kills in Thiel’s 3-0 win (25-17, 25-12, 25-15) over Chatham On Oct. 21, when she registered 12 kills in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference match.

Then last Tuesday, Kiger delivered 12 kills in Thiel’s 3-0 loss to Westminster, to tie the school record for kills in one season with 403 set by Jan Wilman in 2002.

Entering Thiel’s match Thursday at St. Vincent, Kiger needed just one kill to set the school record.

In addition, she boosted her career kills total to 1,037 for third place at Thiel, and is 156 off the record of 1,193 held by Chrissy Toth (1997-2000).

Kiger also leads the PAC this season in kills per set with 3.95.

Jumps high for the ball, and hits it hard over net

So, how has Kiger been able to get so many kills or spikes, which are balls hit by her over the net that strike the floor before an opposing player can return the shot? Each kill counts as one point.

“She jumps like crazy and reaches high for the ball and hits it a ton,” said coach Steve Brewer of Thiel (13-15, 8-5 PAC). “She is a strong kid and played three sports in high school and works out in the summer.”

Brewer said that summer competition has made Kiger a better player.

“During the summer, she played beach volleyball and that’s where she got her experience and vertical leap,” said Brewer, noting that Kiger “played a lot of sand [volleyball] in whatever league she could find, and that helped her develop into a great player.”

Kiger recently was named PAC Player of the Week on Oct. 13 for the second time this season for her outstanding play in three matches the week before.

Five from area on team; Kay also is standout

Kiger is one of five area players on the Thiel team, the others being freshmen Megan Kay (Liberty), Sarah Weikart (Leetonia), Lynnette Enterline (Crestview ) and Jennifer Felt (Canfield).

Brewer said that Kay and Weikart have been seeing action and contributing, while Enterline and Felt haven’t played much and still are in the developmental stages.

Kay has 215 kills or 2.22 kills per set this season, second-best on the team. She recently had a team-best 14 kills and 12 digs in a 3-2 win over Bethany Oct. 16.

A dig is a defensive play that prevents an opposing ball from striking the court for a kill or point

Kay is second on the team in digs with 273 or 2.81 digs per set, while Kiger is third with 273 or 2.81.

“[Kay] is a really great, well-rounded player,” said Brewer. “She plays great defense. She is strong on offense and defense and never comes off the court.”

Brewer said that Kay catches on fast.

“ It took her two weeks to take a starting spot from a [returning player],” said Brewer. “She is experienced and has played in a lot of local clubs. She is a big jumper and reaches high to make contact with the ball.”

Kay also is a good defensive player.

“She is quick and experienced on digs, [being] at the right place at the right time,” said Brewer.

Regarding Weikart, who had seven of her 13 kills in the Chatham match, Brewer said that she is developing nicely.

“She is tall and very competitive and learning a lot,” said Brewer. “She is picking up on her ability. She is going be a really good player.”

X John Kovach covers colleges for The Vindicator. Write to him at kovach@vindy.com.