Adams, Callahan reach career milestones

By: Ed Weaver  /  November 9, 2018  /  Photo: Ed Weaver

Juniors Ryann Adams and Caitlyn Callahan both reached career milestones during the end of volleyball season.

Callahan recorded her 500th career kill in the Lady Hornets' final regular season game against Sayre back on October 25. Adams recorded her 500th career dig in the District IV championship game against North Penn-Liberty on November 1. On Monday, November 5 both were recognized with commemorative balls by head coach Sharon Zuchowski.

Callahan finished the season with 318 kills (average of 15.14 kills per game), giving her 529. Adams recorded 267 digs this season (average of 12.71 digs per game), to give her 502.

"It really means a lot knowing my team was behind me and putting in work in the off-season, both in the weight room or during the club season, it just paid off," Adams said.

Callahan shared that sentiment.

"It's a great accomplishment to get 500 kills. My team was always there and did whatever the could to get me the ball so that I could score. And knowing that I had them there made me confident, and with everyone supporting me from this season to the off-season to club, it was really nice."

Callahan has been after the 500 kill milestone since the season started.

"Right when we started the season I was like 'this year is the year that I'm getting number 500.' I really tried for it."

Adams on the other hand didn't know how close she was.

"I didn't even know until my teammates told me about it, just proving they were behind me even more than I thought."

In the 7 years Zuchowski has been coaching this is her third player to reach 500 career kills. Callahan joins Zuchowski's oldest daughter, Hannah Zuchowski (979), and Kirsten Florio (540). Adams, however, is her first libero to accumulate 500 digs.

"I'm very proud of both of them. They both worked very hard this year," Zuchowski said. "You can tell their time in the off-season has given them results in our regular season and I hope they continue."

Zuchowski monitored both milestones as the season progressed.

"I knew Ryann was close but we were in a district match and they don't like to stop the game and acknowledge that. And I don't the stats during the game so I didn't know if she was close or she actually surpassed it, but I confirmed it after the game. For Caitlyn we knew what she needed going into and we did our best efforts to get it for her in the regular season. Either way they worked hard this season and I'm glad they both hit their respective milestones."

Both girls will return for their senior seasons in 2019.