Versailles’ Kiley May blocks a shot attempt during a recent non-conference win over Russia. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
The Tigers’ impressive sophomore is playing beyond her years, and last week helped Versailles past two ranked opponents – #5 Marion Local, and previously unbeaten Tippecanoe.
It’s not hard to spot Versailles sophomore Kiley May on the volleyball court. She’s six feet tall and she’s one of the most athletic. When she leaves her feet to hit at the net her head and shoulders are above the net.
And last week her contributions help lead the Tigers to a pair of their most significant wins of the season. On Thursday they took down Division VI #5-ranked Marion Local in four sets…and on Saturday the Tigers surprised previously unbeaten an #10-ranked (Division III) Tippecanoe, in straight sets. Kiley stood out in both wins to earn her this week’s Press Pros ‘Who’s Hot’ recognition.
She is a blossoming star-in-the-making in a volleyball conference known for turning out stars. She loves to play the game, it comes to her naturally, and she has all the support she needs to take her place alongside player like Coldwater’s Spencer Etzler (committed to Stanford), New Bremen’s Melina Schrader (committed to Dayton) and the recently graduated Olivia Heitkamp, who’s now playing at the University of Toledo.
Athletic…May rises above net for a kill during last week’s 3-1 win over rival Marion Local.
Scoring 24 kills in the Tigers’ 3-1 win over conference rival Marion Local, May was highly conspicuous by her contribution – 24 kills, and 10 of them coming in the opening set.
“Kiley just had that drive in her eyes,” said Versailles coach Liz McNeilan. “She was smiling, diving, made a heckuva save on defense, twice…just 110% all night. At the end one of the seniors said, “keep feeding Kiley”, and that’s exactly what we did. She took advantage of the shots we called for her.”
“It was fun,” said the quiet-spoken May, afterwards. That’s all she said.
“We had a lot of energy and our defense was great. The sets were great, but having our defense behind me was a difference. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Versailles has earned a #3 seed in next week’s Division V district tournament round, and the 12-10 Tigers could well become an unsuspected dark horse, meeting Springfield Northeastern in the opening round. And it’s a pretty good bet that so goes Kiley May…so goes the better-than-record-would-indicate Tigers, who’s ten losses include state #1 Coldwater, state #1 Fort Loramie, state #2 New Bremen, and state #3 St. Henry.
Likewise, it’s a pretty good bet that others will recognize the game and the impact of Kiley May, this week’s ‘Who’s Hot’ honoree on Press Pros.
On behalf of sponsor, the St. Henry Bank, Press Pros is pleased to recognize this week’s ‘Who’s Hot’ honoree, Kiley May, of Versailles High School.