NYM senior has 1,000 digs, kills, assists

By Chad Koenen

Publisher

Every once in a while an athlete will achieve a milestone or feat so rare that you need to see it to believe it.

While Ayla Olson achieving 1,000 career kills and digs during New York Mills’ non-conference game against Lake Park-Audubon last week may not live in infamy like Babe Ruth’s legendary called home run, it definitely ranks near the top of small school milestones that will be remembered for quite some time. Add to the fact that her 1,000 digs and kills completed a career triple crown of 1,000 digs, kills and assists and Ayla may have achieved one of the rarest of feats in high school volleyball.

Last Monday night, Ayla first got her 1,000th kill, before getting her 1,000th dig later in the game. Those milestones come on the heels of her breaking the 1,000 career assists mark last season. She has been on varsity since eighth grade, and in addition to playing for her mother on varsity, she even had the chance to play with her older sister Kali Olson for a number of years.

Tammy Olson, who is the head volleyball coach at NY Mills High School and Ayla’s mom, said she has reached out to a few other volleyball programs to inquire whether they know of anyone who has also achieved a 1,000 career triple crown of digs, hits and assists.

“I have never heard of it and we reached out to a few other coaches and they hadn’t heard of it either,” said Tammy. “The state does not have records like this, so we don’t really know (how many people have achieved the milestone).”

Not only has Tammy never heard of someone getting all three career milestones, but she has never had a player in the NY Mills program get 1,000 digs and kills in the same night before either. 

“I have never had a player get both the same night. I haven’t had any player get both (not on the same night) in the 9 years I have been the head coach,” said Tammy. 

Ayla said she hasn’t really concentrated on individual accolades, yet has been focused on enjoying the season with her teammates and friends, while also taking in memorable moments on the court. That being said, she said getting 1,000 digs, kills and assists is definitely something that is special.

“I think it is cool to get all of them,” she said.  

One unique aspect for the Olson family through the years has been their involvement within the NY Mills volleyball program. Tammy is the head coach and Bryan has been a coach in the junior high level for quite some time as well. Tammy said she has really enjoyed the opportunity to not only coach her daughter’s in volleyball, but watch them grow on and off the court. 

“As a person who loves volleyball, it has been incredible to share it with my daughters,” said Tammy. “Coaching Kali and Ayla over the years has been amazing to see their love of the sport grow. Ayla is a coach’s dream player. She gives it all not only in games, but in practice too. Her skills in listening to changes and advice on the fly are unbelievable.”

Ayla said she has really enjoyed the opportunity to play for both her mom and with her sister over the years. She said having her family involved with the program has helped to make her a better player on and off the court.

“Just having someone on your side to push you, but to comfort you was nice,” she said. 

Over the years Ayla has become a leader of the Eagles volleyball team both on and off the court. Tammy said the Eagles have really relied on Ayla’s leadership all the way from varsity through the youth levels. 

“She definitely has become stronger with her skills and her knowledge of the game.  But her biggest growth came in leadership, she has been a great leader on and off the court for not only my Varsity but our whole program,” said Tammy. 

Tammy said having players hit career milestones of such a wide range like assists and kills shows younger athletes that they can play multiple positions and do not necessarily need to specialize as just a hitter or just on defense. 

“It is great for our younger players to see that you can play multiple positions and succeed at more than one,” she said.

While she has already achieved the triple crown in eclipsing volleyball’s biggest 1,000 career milestones, Ayla said she is concentrating on the end of the regular season and is hoping for a deep run in the sub section and section tournament. The Eagles are currently 15-7 on the season and are ranked near the top of the always competitive Section 6A standings.