Emma Appleman and Juliet Young have been impact players for the Guilford volleyball team since their freshman seasons, so when each recently reached career milestones, it was only fitting that they did so together.
As coach Laura Anastasio put it: “How crazy that it happened within days of each other!”
Appleman put down her 1,000th career kill in a shutout of Branford on Oct. 14. Five days later, Young followed with her 1,000th career dig in a win over Hand on Oct. 19.
It was a spotlight moment for the two senior co-captains and for the Guilford program, which has a 74-14 record since Appleman and Young joined the team in 2017.
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“Emma and Juliet are stellar players and athletes and they deserve every accolade that they have earned,” Anastasio said. “I am so happy that their senior year was able to happen in some form, so they could reach these milestones.
“Their stats speak for themselves, they are involved in every part of the game, and make the play better every time they touch the ball.”
During their four-year careers, Appleman has 1,062 kills, with 614 digs and 187 aces, while Young has 1,052 digs and 230 aces. They helped lead Guilford to its first SCC championship in 25 years last fall and, with this year’s abbreviated schedule, Guilford is 9-0 with three games to play in the regular season.
Appleman will continue her volleyball career at the College of Charleston, and Young has not yet committed.
While their numbers are eye-popping, Anastasio said the contributions of Appleman and Young go beyond the statistics, as they are “top notch teammates” who have left their mark on the Guilford volleyball program.
“They work harder than anyone else in the gym, and they are their teammates’ biggest cheerleaders and supporters,” Anastasio said. “Not only have they helped this team be successful and win championships, but they have helped create a positive and competitive culture.
“I could not have asked for more coachable athletes or better role models than Emma and Juliet.”
