We’re continuing our KCII Top 10 Countdown of the biggest area high school sports stories of 2022-2023. At number 10 is three volleyball setters from local teams reaching the milestone of 1,300 career assists.

One of those senior setters had already blown past the 1,000-assist mark by the time they entered their final season. WACO’s Grace Coble entered her senior year with 1,248 assists already under her belt before she put together one more stellar season. Coble added another 600 assists to her resume and also mixed in 117 kills, 55 aces, 28 blocks and 189 digs to help the Warriors win 27 matches.

For her all-around efforts, Coble was named the Co-Player of the Year in the North division of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference. Coble also went on to be named to the Class 1A all-state team for a third straight season.

Another Super Conference North setter had to wait until senior year, but Winfield-Mount Union’s Keely Malone did cross the millennium mark by getting her fourth of 14 total assists in a win over Cardinal on September 3rd. Malone also made first-team all-conference and added 88 kills, 45 aces, 27 blocks and 108 digs. Malone ends up with 1,481 assists for her career, a key cog in helping the Wolves win 24 matches and a Super Conference North championship.

Brookelyn Hemsley rounds out the senior stars who got their teams’ volleyball squads started. It took deeper into the season than the others, but the Sigourney setter’s 12th assist in a September 17th victory over Pleasantville put Hemsley into the 1,000 club.

Hemsley ended her career with just under 1,400 assists and finished her senior season with 529 assists, while also pilling up 50 kills, 31 aces and 236 digs to help the Savages finish second in the South Iowa Cedar League and win 23 total matches.

The countdown of Top 10 area sports stories will continue tomorrow. Find the stories every day as they are announced at KCIIradio.com.