Hurricanes’ assist record holder Gilleland named Player of Year

Marian Central setter Abby Gilleland has been named the Northwest Herald Girls Volleyball Player of the Year. Gilleland has committed to play at the University of Ohio. (Lance Booth – lbooth@shawmedia.com)

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There wasn’t just one moment that caused the light bulb to flicker on for Marian Central senior setter Abby Gilleland.

Although Gilleland received plenty of praise early in her volleyball career, realizing she possessed a special talent on the court didn’t hit until the summer before her junior year.

“Knowing I had to step into a bigger role, and knowing that people were kind of expecting me to do that, once I felt the expectations, I felt like maybe I am a little more special than someone else,” Gilleland said. “I knew I was going to have to step into a new role.”

Gilleland’s maturation, especially as a leader, culminated in the Hurricanes’ second-consecutive state semifinals appearance and a Class 3A runner-up finish.

After a record-setting season combined with Marian’s best finish in school history, Gilleland was selected the Northwest Herald’s Girls Volleyball Player of the Year as chosen by the sports staff with input from local coaches. Cary-Grove’s Ashley Rosch, Crystal Lake Central’s Amelia Anderson and Huntley’s Amy Dion and Sam Boesch also were considered for the honor.

With Gilleland as the floor general, three Hurricanes posted more than 200 kills this season – a program first – and finished with 35 wins, which only trails last year’s 36 for most in a season. Gilleland led Marian to a 98-23 record during her three-year varsity career en route to setting the Hurricanes’ career assists record. She finished with 2,292, good enough for 16th all-time in IHSA.

That record is especially impressive considering she only had three seasons to set the mark as Marian doesn’t allow a freshman to play on varsity. Had Gilleland, who tallied 816 assists this year, played another season and posted comparable numbers, she likely would have finished in the top 3 all-time. Gilleland said she believes everything worked out for the best, though.

“In only three seasons, even I’m impressed by it,” Gilleland said. “I’m just curious to see what I could have done in four. I didn’t even think that was a possibility coming into the season. Going through the season ‘Oh, let’s get Abby assists,’ that was always the joke.”

Although Gilleland often deflected credit to her hitters, Marian coach Laura Watling praised the University of Ohio-bound setter for making the players around her better.

“If we didn’t have such talented hitters she wouldn’t be breaking records with assists,” Watling said. “That being said, I’ve never seen someone work so hard to help a program really define itself so I feel that in a way, Abby has put her face on it.”

Gilleland’s offensive game made the Hurricanes even more dangerous this year. Her 174 kills were fourth on the team and whenever Gilleland utilized her deep corner tip shots, the opposition rarely got a hand on the ball. She picked up that move watching other players the past two to three years which she worked into her repertoire. It was especially effective during the Hurricanes’ state semifinal match against Marian Catholic leading to 10 kills.

“I haven’t always been as confident as I was hitting, attacking wise,” Gilleland said. “And I never really understood the importance of a setter being able to do it. I was kind of like, ‘What’s the point? Just let the hitters do it.’

“I feel like my consistency grows each year.”

Entering the season, Gilleland was ranked the No. 82 senior in the country by prepvolleyball.com, the best of any area player. But it was her leadership skills and communication on the court that took the Suburban Christian Conference Player of the Year’s game to a new level fueled by her fierce competitiveness.

Gilleland’s volleyball career, which started in 5th grade at Montini Catholic in McHenry, is far from over. She will play for Sky High, likely on their 18 Black team, before attending Ohio on a volleyball scholarship.

“In terms of college, knowing there’s a potential spot for me to make an impact right away – sure it’s kind of intimidating – but I’m excited for what I can do there,” Gilleland said. “They have all the hitters they need there, so I really want to go in and help them.”

Gilleland, though, hopes her impact on Marian extends beyond her achievements on the volleyball court and a legacy of helping deliver 3A second and third-place state finishes.

“I’ve always kind of wished people could know me more than just that girl on the other side of the net or that athlete,” Gilleland said. “I would hope that they would say that myself as a person is one of my stronger assets more so than as an athlete.”