Derrick Webb, Staff Writer
CHILLICOTHE — Something happened Tuesday that Alyssa Steele never thought would.
Huntington’s senior setter came into a match at Paint Valley nearing the 1,000 assist benchmark. In a sweep of the Bearcats, she hit the milestone and logged 38 total assists in the win.
But reaching 1,000 assists was something that, at the beginning of her senior year, Steele didn’t fully believe was possible.
“[Huntington] Coach [Tina Magill] told me at the beginning of the season it would be like shooting for the stars but there was a slight possibility that I could reach 1,000,” Steele said. “I knew that if I worked hard and trusted in my teammates, then I could accomplish it.”
Steele’s career assist total now stands at 1,052 while she’s also amassed 379 digs, 45 aces and 41 blocks.
“It was a really big accomplishment for me but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without all the good passes from the back row and Megan [Steele], Katie [Hirsch], and Allison [Basye] being able to put the ball away. This really means a lot to me, especially because coming into this season with only a little over 300 assists, it never even crossed my mind that I might reach 1,000.”
Steele and the Huntsmen are 15-6 overall with a 7-1 mark outside of Scioto Valley Conference play. Still left on their regular season schedule is a home date with Adena on Thursday.
They drew a No. 2 seed in the Southeast District Tournament draw. They’ll await the winner of Lynchburg-Clay and West Union, one of whom they’ll face with a Division III sectional title on the line on Oct. 19.
“I feel like there’s a lot of talent on the team and we work really well together,” Steele said. “We’re all good friends, which helps us communicate on and off the court. If we continue working well together as a team, like we have all season, I think we have the potential to make a lengthy tournament run.”