RHS volleyball player collects 1,000 career assists

WEST LAFAYETTE – Sydney Zinkon made her mark in Ridgewood High School volleyball history this month when she collected her 1,000th career assist.

“I knew going into the game that I only needed four more and when I got the last one it was with my classmate Abbey Kellish,” said Zinkon, who is a senior and a setter on the varsity volleyball team. “As soon as we got it we ran up to each other and hugged.”

She gives a lot of credit to her hitters for being able to reach this goal.

“I get an assist when I set someone on the team and they hit the ball and we get a point,” Zinkon said. “I had 922 last year and I’m super excited to have been able to get to 1,000. These past four years I’ve really had hitters that have been able to put the ball away for me. I also have to thank my passers for getting the ball to me so I can set it.”

The Lady Generals were away when she collected assist number 1,000 so Zinkon was honored later at a home game.

“A lot of hard work went into this and it’s nice to see kids who work hard succeed,” said RHS Athletic Director Matt Colvin who was part of the ceremony honoring Zinkon.

Zinkon has played volleyball since seventh grade and started varsity as a freshman.

“This is Sydney’s fourth year with me on varsity, and I am so happy to see her reach this milestone after all her hard work,” said Brenda McCoy, head volleyball coach at RHS. “Reaching 1,000 career assists is rare in a 6-2 offense when there are two setters. Usually, only setters who are in a 5-1 offense achieve this. Sydney and I have discussed how fortunate she has been to play with some great passers and hitters over the years because this wouldn’t have been possible without her past and present teammates.”

Zinkon enjoys playing setter because you are always involved in the action.

“The setter is like the quarterback on a football team,” she said. “I just love volleyball.”

Zinkon is very appreciative of all the help her coaches have given her over the years.

“I have to thank Brenda (McCoy), Dan (Smith), Kerrie (Bahmer) and DJ (Bradford) for all they’ve done for me,” Zinkon said. “Dan was my mom’s coach too and he’s helped me so much.”

After graduation, Zinkon plans to attend Heidelberg University or Bluffton University to play softball and major in exercise science. She is the daughter of Karen Zinkon.

Sydney encourages her younger teammates to keep working hard.

“It’s going to be hard and sometimes Brenda will push you and yell at you, but you have to push through and always work hard,” Sydney said. “Go for it because we want everybody to do well.”

Category: High School, Sports