West breaks career assists record at CHS
In just two years of varsity volleyball action, sophomore Jalynn West has already put up some impressive numbers for the Lady Redskins.
On Sept. 22, West broke the career assists record at Coshocton High School, and then on Sept. 24, she surpassed the 1,000 career assist mark. At that point in the season, she was the all-time leading assist record holder at Coshocton with 1,087 and was one assist away (543) from rewriting her own single-season assist record (544) from last season.
“I was speechless (after reaching these goals),” West said. “To think I was so young and did this is crazy. It felt great, but what I really like is playing with this great group of girls. They are all phenomenal.”
West originally started her volleyball career as a hitter, but one day it was suggested she try setting.
“I was told I had pretty nice hands and should try it,” West said. “I loved it. You are almost in control in a way, and you get to touch the ball every time. All I want to do is play.”
The season started out a little rough for the Lady Redskins, but West is happy with how it developed.
“We had team chemistry that needed to come together,” West said. “In the end we pulled it together, and I think we have a really good team. I want to be able to take Coshocton volleyball far. I want to win state championships and be part of that for Coshocton. That’s my main goal. I want to leave a legacy here.”
West also would love to follow in her sister Jordan’s footsteps and play college volleyball.
“I really want to play college volleyball for Ohio State, but my big dream is to play for Stanford,” West said. “I could watch college volleyball 24-7. I play basketball and softball too, but my mom coaching volleyball and my sister playing were big inspirations. I looked up to them and wanted to be like both of them. They are both amazing.”
Jordan currently plays volleyball at West Virginia State University. Her and Jalynn’s mother, Jen Bickel, played at Coshocton and also coached there.
“She comes from a volleyball family,” Bickel said. “She didn’t know this was coming. We kept it hush, hush from her. My husband and I told her after the game. It was a tough loss at Tri-Valley and was the bright spot in a bad evening. She has a goal of reaching 2,000 assists before graduating from high school, and that’s unheard off. Jalynn is very hardworking, though, and spends an enormous amount of time in the gym outside of her scheduled practices.”
West is very appreciative of her mom and sister’s support and also the help of her trainer John Nguyen.
“He’s why I’m even remotely good at volleyball,” West said. “He’s a coach but more like a best friend. He’s always there for me. He and I could be in the gym forever.”
Another big part of her success is her team.
“I want to thank my team because someone had to get me the ball,” West said. “I want to say thank you to every single one of them and my coach. My coach is the one who puts me out there. She took a chance on me as a freshman and played me over some juniors and seniors. That meant a lot.”
Category: High School, Sports
