In spite of NC State facing its first loss in conference play, to in-state foes North Carolina no-less, Kaitlyn Kearney stepped up an broke the school’s all-time career blocks record.
Kearney started the match with 496 career blocks, needing just two to top Pam Vehling’s 497 blocks. By the conclusion the match, Kearney had recorded five blocks to surpass the record – now owning 501 blocks. The mark sets her at tied for fifth-most among NCAA Division I active players.
NCAA Division I block leaders (active)
- Faith Dooley, North Dakota – 611
- Rhamat Alhassan, Florida – 569
- Madison Dennison, Utah – 517
- Blair Gillard, Houston Baptist – 502
- Kaitlyn Kearney, NC State – 501
- Kaz Brown, Kentucky – 501
In each of her first three seasons with the Wolfpack, Kearney recorded over 100 blocks each season. Her best season-to-date was her sophomore campaign where she blocked a total of 149 balls. So far this season, Kearney has surpassed that 100 mark for the fourth season in a row, totaling 105 blocks so far this season.
NC State still has 11 matches in ACC play to go this year, giving Kearney time to grow her blocking total.
On the other hand of Kearney’s game, she has been a huge offensive power for the squad as well, having put down 842 kills in her first three seasons with the Wolfpack. So far this season, Kearney has added on another 145 kills for a total of 987 career kills. She needs just 13 more kills to surpass the 1,000 kills mark and join fellow teammates, Julia Brown (1,165) and Bree Bailey (1,106). This would make the Wolfpack one of just a handful of team’s to have three or more players currently active with more than 1,000 kills.
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