By Stephen Henderson
Patrick County High School senior Abby Hutchens accomplished a long-sought goal last Monday night—she scored her 1000th kill for the Lady Cougar volleyball team when they hosted Carroll County.
Hutchens had an idea that the goal was approaching. “I don’t think I was supposed to know, but I have been keeping track of the stats on my own,” she said. “It was a big goal in my life and I was keeping track.”
“I have dreamed about this for so long that I was totally overwhelmed Monday night when this happened,” Hutchens said. “It was a big accomplishment—and I was so thankful for my teammates and their abilities, too, helping me to get there,” she added. “I could not have done it without my coaches and my teammates.”
The Lady Cougars stopped the action in the third set of the game against Carroll County when the special kill was scored. The teammates on the floor surrounded her and almost tackled her with their joy and support.
“We almost fell over with our big huddle in the middle of the court,” Hutchens said. “It was awesome!” she added.
Hutchens has no future plans to continue playing volleyball beyond this, her senior year at PCHS. “I don’t think I will be playing in college—maybe at the club level but not varsity,” she said.
Hutchens hopes to continue her education at James Madison University next fall.
