Published: October 08, 2008 10:53 pm            

Look out below

Gill hammers out impressive career at Russell

FLATWOODS — Russell volleyball opponents know it’s coming.

Often courtesy of a set from Rachel Ison, the ball rises slowly above the net.

It seems to hang there, suspended for a moment — in Lauren Gill Land.

The next instant, Gill’s whip-like arm comes crashing down, launching a projectile with too much force to be returned.

The scenario is a regular attraction at Russell matches and a major reason why the Lady Devils wrapped up their regular season Tuesday night with a 27-4 record.

Darrell Adkins, now in his seventh year as Russell’s coach, recognized a couple of seasons ago that the Lady Devils had something special.

“By her sophomore year, Lauren was a player,’’ Adkins said. “I knew back then she was going to be unique. We’ve been blessed with good athletes here. Lauren is the first big-time volleyball player I’ve had.’’

The 5-foot-11 senior has racked up more than 400 kills this season alone, averaging an amazing 5.6 per game. In Kentucky, high school matches are best-of-three games.

“I love being at the front of the net, controlling the point,’’ Gill said.

Russell’s program continues to be a big winner, including regional championships the past four years. Gill brought a new dimension with her dominance at the net.

“Lauren is the best weapon we’ve had,’’ Adkins said. “She can hit with anybody in the state. I never go into a match thinking the other team is going to outhit us.’’

Gill’s powerhouse offensive ability is a contrast to her character.

“She’s not a real aggressive person,’’ her coach said. “If it was basketball, Lauren is not going to get under the boards and bang bodies. She’s just a real nice kid. With volleyball, she’s on one side of the net and the opponent is on the other. It’s a sport that lends itself to her disposition.’’

Gill joined Russell’s varsity team as an eighth–grader and got serious about the sport after her freshman season. That winter, she played with the Huntington-based River Cities Thunder Volleyball Club.

Gill said her overall skills improved tremendously.

“They taught me the mechanics of hitting, blocking, serving,’’ she said. “My sophomore year, people were surprised. My hitting skills went up.’’

After receiving All-Area Player of the Year honors as a junior, Gill saw another leap in her overall game during the club season. In particular, her passing skills improved.

“I learned how to move my feet, stay low and shuffle through the ball instead of falling on the floor,’’ Gill said. “I can definitely tell a difference. I think everyone else can, too.’’

Gill brings a solid all-round game to the court. She is serving at 96 percent this season with nearly 70 aces.

But it’s at the net where Gill shines best. Defensively, she has 108 blocks to go along with her explosive offensive ability.

Gill’s arm swing generates excellent power.

“It’s so fast,’’ Adkins said. “Lauren hits the ball as hard as anybody I’ve seen.’’

Gill also learned from watching former Ashland standout Corie Rakes.

“She was my volleyball hero,’’ Gill said. “Everytime we played them, we would talk about how nervous and scared we were.’’

Gill paused for a moment.

“I’m the new Corie Rakes, I guess,’’ she said in a humble tone. “I know the other team respects that I am not just going to fool around and free ball it over the net.’’

Gill is working with a different primary setter for the third year in a row. She said she owes much of her success to Marissa Adkins, Kacie Christian and most recently Ison.

“Rachel is like my other half,’’ Gill said. “Without a set, I can’t do anything. Rachel hustles the most of anybody on the team. She will roll, dive, hit her head on the floor or run into a pole. She does the same thing during practice.’’

Gill said Ison came away from the Lexington Lafayette Invitational last month with bruises on her knees and cuts on her shins.

“You can tell by looking at Rachel’s knees that she knows her position,’’ Gill said. “She knows the second ball is hers. Our back row has really played great. That’s big because we score our points by hitting. We are an attacking team.’’

And Gill enjoys taking a leadership role.

“I love taking the responsibility, good or bad,’’ she said. “I just feel that I am naturally a leader. No matter what, I will always try to keep encouraging the other girls on the floor.’’

The Gill household is full of athletic tradition. Lauren’s brother, Scott, is a track star at Taylor University and member of the basketball team. Older sister Michelle played tennis at Russell and won a regional doubles title in 2003. Their mother, Debbi, was a state track champion at Boyd County and husband David played basketball at Ashland.

Lauren is happy to follow in the family footsteps.

“It’s been a blast,’’ she said. “I went to all of Scott’s sporting events and my sister’s tennis matches. It was so much fun, especially since they succeeded so well. Mom and dad have always been there cheering us on.’’

Russell opens district tournament play Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Greenup County. Gill wants to return to the State Tournament for the fifth straight year and said the Lady Devils can expect strong challenges along the way.

Adkins continues to receive e-mail from colleges interested in Russell’s top player, whose heart appears to be set on Cedarville University in Springfield, Ohio. Gill plans to practice with the Cedarville team this weekend.

“I’ve been there for leadership conferences and have friends there,’’ she said. “I wanted to go to a Christian school. God is definitely the center of the college, which is very crucial for me.’’

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.

        

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