<p>A middle hitter since starting her volleyball career as a seventh-grader, Abby Sewell knows the countless hours of practice required to develop chemistry with her team’s setter.</p><p>This season, the Franklin College sophomore’s attention is split three ways.</p><p>Teammates Mackenzie Waldran and Allison Thompson both have over 100 assists this season for the Grizzlies. Junior Jenna Spini is also used at that position.</p><p>All are right-handed, which removes at least some of the complication of attempting to adapt to each.</p><p>“I used our spring season to work on connecting with my setters. It’s always an adjustment because it’s working on timing and their placing of the ball,” said Sewell, who played her high school volleyball at Franklin.</p><p>“It does make it more difficult sometimes, but all the setters have different strengths. I think it adds some variety, and does make it a little harder for the other side, I would think.”</p><p>After losing their first four matches of the season, the Grizzlies responded with four straight victories and are 8-12 going into Wednesday’s match at Rose-Hulman.</p><p>Sewell, who carries a 3.95 grade-point average as a business major with a concentration in marketing and management, has flourished this season regardless of whose fingertips are setting up her powerful spikes.</p><p>She leads the team in kills and is second in blocks.</p><p>Last month, Sewell, who stands 5-foot-11, recorded what was then a season-best 12 kills twice in one day as the Grizzlies scored victories against Berea and Centre at a tournament hosted by Hanover.</p><p>She topped that figure with 15 kills in a five-set win over Defiance on Sept. 24 and then posted a career-best 19 kills in a five-set loss to Earlham last weekend.</p><p>“Abby is probably our most consistent player,” Grizzlies coach Mary Johnston said. “On a good set or a bad set, she produces. As a freshman she was a very good server and hitter, but had to get more confidence in herself.</p><p>“It’s just having a year of experience and being more experienced.”</p><p>Sewell’s first days in the Grizzlies volleyball program proved challenging. The game was faster, her teammates all players who previously starred for different high schools.</p><p>Nonetheless, Sewell played all 25 matches, her kill total dipping below four in only six of them. Sewell has been even more productive offensively this season.</p><p>Sewell said she felt like she blended in the minute she walked onto the court at Spurlock Center. That played a big role in her making an immediate impact.</p><p>“I love the camaraderie on this team. We have a small team this year and are very close,” Sewell said. “And I like the competition aspect of college volleyball because I think most teams are pretty even. That makes the matches more exciting.”</p>[sc:pullout-title pullout-title="By the numbers" ][sc:pullout-text-begin]<p>Career statistics for Franklin College middle blocker Abby Sewell entering Wednesday’s match:</p><p><strong>Year;Matches;Kills;Blocks;Digs</strong></p><p>2017;25;137;66;36</p><p>2018;20;186;37;66</p><p>Totals;45;323;103;102</p>[sc:pullout-text-end]
