By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
STRYKER – Stryker’s Reiss Creighton loves to draw pictures in her spare time, but for the 5-5 senior setter, she also displays an artistic style with her outstanding play on the volleyball court.
Creighton, who was a second-team Buckeye Border Conference selection a year ago and earned District 7 honorable mention honors, achieved a special volleyball milestone in her non-conference match last week against Montpelier.
“She is small and mighty, but also quick,” said her head coach Ally Meade. “Being a setter, that is very helpful for her because she’s able to get all the second balls. Once again, she is selfless that she wants her teammates to get the kill or a point.”
On August 21, Creighton became the first and only player in program history to reach the 1,000 career assists milestone. “I was very excited for her,” said Meade. “She’s very well-deserving, and she, along with Abby (Oberlin), are our two co-captains.”
She had already recorded 34 assists in her first two matches against Swanton and Edon. In the Montpelier match, Creighton, who had recorded 19 assists that night, would finally reach the special milestone.
“Honestly, it was crazy,” admitted Creighton. “I thought about it for some time and like I finally made it. It was really exciting.”
It was just two nights before when her senior teammate Abby Oberlin became the fourth player in program history to reach 1,000 career digs. “It was so awesome,” lauded Creighton. “I was so happy for her (Oberlin), she deserves it 100 percent.”
Having been involved in volleyball since she was in elementary school, Creighton said that being a senior on the team is now kind of crazy.
A three-year starter for the Lady Panthers, one of Creighton’s goals this fall is to win the Buckeye Border Conference title, something that Stryker hasn’t done for quite a while now. “That’s a really big goal that we have,” pointed out Creighton in regard to the BBC.
“I think it’s super attainable, and I really hope that we get there. We’ve been working hard for it.” She credited the coaching influence of Meade, which has been very important in the development and maturity of Creighton, not only as a player, but also as a person.
“She (Meade) is a great coach,” lauded Creighton. “Honestly, she helps us out in so many ways, being super encouraging. I’m very thankful for her.”
Meade has taught Creighton not only about volleyball, but also about life. “She taught us about volleyball, but more importantly, life skills and learn how to be coachable,” commented Creighton.
As a junior, Creighton put together some impressive statistics on the court, registering 36 aces, 40 kills, 187 digs, and 641 assists.
“Once again, she (Creighton) is a great leader on and off the court,” said the Stryker coach.
“Getting that milestone was just exciting for her; that way, the girls can celebrate with her because she is a very selfless person. To be able to celebrate with her was awesome.”
In addition to playing volleyball, she is also on the basketball and track squads while maintaining good grades in the classroom.
“It’s doable and I try to put my best effort towards all of them,” admitted the senior standout. Creighton is hoping to go out with a bang in her senior volleyball season.
“I’m really happy with the team that I have,” she said. “We have a strong group of girls that I love to be with, even outside of the sport, and we’re all super close. And I’m happy to do it with them.”
