North Texas Daily

Reaching the top of a leaderboard is an impressive feat that few are able to accomplish.

Senior Karley York accomplished this in the 2017-2018 volleyball season by ranking No. 4 in assists (1,441) in all of Division I and also averaging the No. 6 most assists per match (11.80). York also moved up to No. 6 all-time (2,483) in assist in school history.

Not only did York dominate in statistics but she led the Mean Green to an overall record of 29-4, the best in school history.

“It’s been [a] very honoring [experience],” York said. “We’ve also had a lot of young people step up and do the job, too.”

She is now entering her final season with North Texas, and while she said it will be difficult, York has an entire season left to top her accomplishments.

Considering York recorded nearly half of her career assists in her junior season, her chances of continuing up the leaderboard look likely. York has utilized this past offseason to continue her rise.

“This offseason has consisted of continuing to learn how to spread the ball around, hitters looking to get that kill in the rotation and also [working] on techniques,” York said.

Holding the role of the lead setter for North Texas, the senior’s leadership does not go under the radar. In fact, head coach Andrew Palileo looks at York as more than just another player.

“Her experience makes it like having another coach with me on the court,” Palileo said. “She understands what the system is and the rotations we like to go through and it really helps our team out.”

In her final season, there will only be two seniors present, with six new freshmen on the team. Incoming freshmen will be burdened with the task of overcoming a learning curve. Some, like freshman setter Kylie Smith, are already learning underneath her.

“It’s good to have a leader [who] knows exactly what to do and who tells us what to do,” Smith said. “She’s someone I can really look up to.”

Palileo doesn’t consider this to be something that will hold back the senior from doing what she does.

“Our expectations haven’t changed, as far as a new group of other players,” Palileo said. “She has to learn the flows of those other players and how she wishes to communicate with them. She knows what she wants to do and has a plan in place.”

The freshmen new to the team look to absorb as much information out of York as possible before the season is over.

“She’s a great setter and knows where to put the ball,” Smith said. “I hope to become a smarter player from her.”

Although new players will be joining the Mean Green team this season, Palileo has no lack of confidence that York will remain the leader of this team.

“The center in volleyball is like the point guard or quarterback for the other sports,” Palileo said. “Putting her in a position where she is empowered [allows her] to make changes she needs to make for the team.”

Palileo also believes her progression has no roadblocks and that doubling her assists total from last year is not the ceiling.

“It’s been more of a continuation of the progression she’s made the previous three year,” Palileo said. “This year it’s been about how we can fill that void from what we’ve lost and make the next couple players in line carry our team and put them in a position to be successful as much as we can.”

York is especially looking forward to build on a 29-4 season.

“I want to end my volleyball career on a high note,” York said. “I’m excited to see if we can follow up last season even better this year.”

The Mean Green are currently 3-4 so far on the 2018 season and will be playing in the Kansas State Invitational Sept. 7-9.

Featured Image: Senior volleyball player Karley York serves the ball during practice. York has been ranked among the top five players in the nation and beat the Mean Green history record. Rachel Ridings