Ashlyn Delaney had 14 kills to help The Classical Academy’s volleyball team to a 3-0 sweep of state champion Village in its second match of the season. 

However, that was just the start for Delaney. The junior outside hitter has had eight more matches with double-digit kills, including two with a season-high 18. 

Delaney, who has committed to play volleyball at Northern Colorado, is now third in Colorado with a .438 hitting percentage and has 180 kills in 42 sets played since her last match Oct. 9. 

In 57 sets last year, this week’s Gazette Preps Peak Performer had 202 kills. 

“She is the first one to work hard and smile while doing it,” Titan coach Layne Witmer said. “She likes to be pushed and pushes those around her. She’s a great athlete on and off the court. She is a wonderful asset to the team.” 

This is Delaney’s third year on varsity, and in the past three years, she has developed into an impact player and leader to help the team to a 15-2 record this season, including a 7-0 record in league play.

One of the ways she has been impactful is by helping develop the team’s chemistry, which is the strongest that Delaney says she has experienced in her career at TCA. 

“We have great chemistry this year, and she is a big part of that,” Witmer said. “Everyone really cares about one another, is committed to the program and likes to compete.” 

“We all just have so much love for each other, and when we go to do team bonding, it’s so fun just being around each other,” Delaney added. “We push each other to be better.” 

While she started as a middle blocker for the Titans as a freshman, Delaney transitioned to an outside hitter last season, which has benefited the team. Her connection with senior setter Avery Jaeger has contributed to her high kill stat this year. 

“I have a great setter,” Delaney said. “Last year, she was out, so to have a great setter back brings a lot of consistency. Especially our passing and serve-receive. All of that consistency from the rest of the team trails into my consistency.” 

Jaeger said, “She communicates what she needs, and that helps the team flow better. It’s been really good how quickly we’ve connected because I didn’t set very much last year, so it’s cool how quickly that has formed this season and how successful it’s been.

“We are close off the court as well, which helps. I know I can look to her.”

Several players see Delaney as an example of what kind of player they want to be: vocal, adaptable and confident, to name a few. She makes practice fun but competitive and encourages an intense mindset. 

“She has made me more outgoing; she makes me want to go for the ball,” sophomore Claire Gilbert said. “She doesn’t put me in a box. She doesn’t let people go off her errors to make more errors and is always there for everyone. She loves everyone so much.” 

Delaney has the upperclassmen from the previous three years to thank for helping her develop her leadership on and off the court. Learning from them has made her into the leader she is today.  

As the Titans look toward regionals and a potential state title, Delaney is excited for what the team can accomplish and knows the team will play for each other every step of the way.  

“It’s a fun and intense sport, especially when you do it with such a great team and girls you love every day,” Delaney said. “The reason why we compete so well is the love we have for each other and the game, and how fun it can be.”