By Casey Zanowicz
Round Table editor

When Middletown High School senior Ashley Higginbothem steps up on the line for a serve in a volleyball game, she simply means business. She effortlessly smacks the ball and before the other team can even react the ball meets the court. A perfect ace; the game is over. It was plays like this and her remarkable talent that allowed Ashley Higginbothem to nab Frederick County’s volleyball player of the year and first team all-area honors.

 Higginbothem was volunteering at church when a little girl informed her that she was on the front page of the paper. Assuming that the girls was kidding, Higginbothem grabbed a newspaper to see for herself. Upon that moment of seeing she had been named player of the year, Higgenbothem recalls, she “couldn’t stop smiling.”

 “I feel really honored, surprised and really excited. This award isn’t just a reflection of me, it’s a result of the talented teammates that have allowed us to go so far this season and give us the record that we have. They allowed me to play my best,” said Higginbothem.

 Junior Caitlin Roy speaks very highly of her captain and fellow teammate.

 “She is by far the best captain I’ve ever had on any team. She worked her butt of the entire season, every day. I can’t think of anyone else that deserves the title more than her,” said Roy.

 Higginbothem was able to finish up the 2010 season (14-1) with 127 attack kills, 26 serving aces, and 307 digs according to Maxpreps.com

 Despite all her success, Higginbothem describes herself as “getting a late start” in her volleyball career. Picking up the sport in only the eighth grade and joining her first club team during her sophomore year, it seems that volleyball is something that just came natural to her.

 Higginbothem will continue her volleyball career at the Division 1 level at Charleston Southern University.

 A truly humble person and athlete, Higginbothem dedicates much of her success to her little sister.

 “One of my biggest inspirations is my little sister. It was so awesome to see her out on the court during a varsity game with the rest of the team,” says Higginbothem. “She pushes me to do better in every aspect because I know she looks up to me.”