If the Bethel Christian Academy volleyball team needs to score, Kelsey Worthington is who it goes to.
The Trojans’ outside hitter racked up 43 kills in a match against Greenville Christian Academy last week. Bethel lost 3-2 (25-12, 25-20, 17-25, 19-25, 13-15), but Worthington managed an outstanding game that also included 13 points.
As the only returning starter from last year’s team, Worthington, a 15-year-old sophomore from Ayden, has stepped up to lead Bethel to a 7-3 record this season.
“We work well together,” she said. “We’re all friends, and we don’t really talk about each other. With the help of my team, they get passes up and I help with that.”
Her admiration for hitting a volleyball attracted her to the sport as a seventh grader. She joined the varsity squad last year, and hopes to advance to the collegiate level. Worthington also plays basketball and soccer for the Trojans.
Two of Worthington’s three sisters work with her on the team: Jensen as her primary setter and Kendall as the team’s conditioning coach.
“I just (want to) show her what to do, not get a bad attitude about anything, lift people up and how to use the correct technique,” Kelsey said about her younger sister, who is in ninth grade.
Additionally, there are no seniors on this year’s team.
“She’s a natural leader,” Bethel coach Michelle Williams said about Worthington. “She takes the principles from God’s word and she uses those to uplift her teammates.”
Williams said the 5-foot-7 hitter is humble in her leadership.
“Once I saw what she can do, we go to her,” Williams said. “With 43 kills, obviously we’re going to her quite a bit. ... The Lord’s gifted her, and since I’ve been coaching I haven’t seen (statistics like hers).
“I’m just so proud of Kelsey.”
Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 and Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.