ARGYLE - Junior outside hitter Ashley Bruehlman always draws attention from opposing coaches' scouting reports and top players from other teams.
The Argyle High School volleyball team has come to rely on the 6-footer's power hitting and improved defensive prowess in her third year as a starter. Bruehlman has racked up 154 kills and 149 digs this season. She's averaging 15.4 kills and 14.9 digs per match.
"It's an amazing feeling to get a kill," Bruehlman said. "A kill can be a momentum-changer. I love that feeling so much."
Bruehlman has played club volleyball for three years. She played on a club in Argyle for two years and last winter she played for the Wisconsin Select club in Madison.
"I really want to play volleyball in college," Bruehlman said. "The only way I can get noticed is to play for a bigger club and play in more tournaments."
She played in 12 tournaments November through May.
"I feel like I really improved on my back-row play," she said. "A lot of the coaching helped me how to read the hitters and have the proper form for passing. They helped me on my hitting tremendously. I'm grateful for that. I feel like my intensity as a player has improved."
Bruehlman is a two-sport athlete at Argyle. In addition to volleyball, she plays softball. When she's not at a game or practice, she has several hobbies.
"I love being outdoors," she said. "I really like horseback riding."
It helps Bruehlman that her rapport with senior setter Kayla Butler-Paulson has had years to mesh and grow. She has developed a trust and bond with Butler-Paulson on the court.
"Having a setter as great as her (Butler-Paulson) is great," Bruehlman said. "I have really been blessed. I feel like I can count on her because I have played together with her a little longer. She seems to know exactly where I want the ball. She always sets the ball up where I need it."
Argyle coach Jen Butler has noticed Bruehlman's competitive drive on and off the court.
"She puts in a lot of work," Butler said. "She's dedicated to the sport. She loves the sport."
Butler has seen Bruehlman become a more efficient hitter by learning how to read defenses on the other side of the net. It's not a skill Butler feels every player is born with.
"She's really good at reading the ball and seeing the court," Butler said. "It's something a player has to learn on their own. You can't teach them how to read the ball and see the court. It's just something they just have to learn on their own."
After his team sustained a four-set loss to the Orioles last week, Monticello coach Scott Smice said Bruehlman was one of the best hitters in the conference.
Argyle (7-3, 5-0 Six Rivers East) is looking to repeat as conference champion.
"I would say we have a target on our back," Bruehlman said. "It's everyone's goal to beat us and take us down."
The Argyle High School volleyball team has come to rely on the 6-footer's power hitting and improved defensive prowess in her third year as a starter. Bruehlman has racked up 154 kills and 149 digs this season. She's averaging 15.4 kills and 14.9 digs per match.
"It's an amazing feeling to get a kill," Bruehlman said. "A kill can be a momentum-changer. I love that feeling so much."
Bruehlman has played club volleyball for three years. She played on a club in Argyle for two years and last winter she played for the Wisconsin Select club in Madison.
"I really want to play volleyball in college," Bruehlman said. "The only way I can get noticed is to play for a bigger club and play in more tournaments."
She played in 12 tournaments November through May.
"I feel like I really improved on my back-row play," she said. "A lot of the coaching helped me how to read the hitters and have the proper form for passing. They helped me on my hitting tremendously. I'm grateful for that. I feel like my intensity as a player has improved."
Bruehlman is a two-sport athlete at Argyle. In addition to volleyball, she plays softball. When she's not at a game or practice, she has several hobbies.
"I love being outdoors," she said. "I really like horseback riding."
It helps Bruehlman that her rapport with senior setter Kayla Butler-Paulson has had years to mesh and grow. She has developed a trust and bond with Butler-Paulson on the court.
"Having a setter as great as her (Butler-Paulson) is great," Bruehlman said. "I have really been blessed. I feel like I can count on her because I have played together with her a little longer. She seems to know exactly where I want the ball. She always sets the ball up where I need it."
Argyle coach Jen Butler has noticed Bruehlman's competitive drive on and off the court.
"She puts in a lot of work," Butler said. "She's dedicated to the sport. She loves the sport."
Butler has seen Bruehlman become a more efficient hitter by learning how to read defenses on the other side of the net. It's not a skill Butler feels every player is born with.
"She's really good at reading the ball and seeing the court," Butler said. "It's something a player has to learn on their own. You can't teach them how to read the ball and see the court. It's just something they just have to learn on their own."
After his team sustained a four-set loss to the Orioles last week, Monticello coach Scott Smice said Bruehlman was one of the best hitters in the conference.
Argyle (7-3, 5-0 Six Rivers East) is looking to repeat as conference champion.
"I would say we have a target on our back," Bruehlman said. "It's everyone's goal to beat us and take us down."
