Carson High’s Abby Franco lunges for a dig during a home match this season. Franco’s ability to scoop digs from the back row is a big reason why the junior hitter almost never leaves the floor.
Photo by Carter Eckl.
There aren’t many sports where sound alone can paint a picture of an individual’s talent.
When Carson High’s Abby Franco connects with a kill in a volleyball match, everyone in the gym can hear the impact.
The student section has fittingly added a “BOOM” behind nearly every touch she gets.
To eyes and ears, Franco’s talent on the attack is obvious. She features a rare ability of making everything she does look easy. Her on-court talents are special, but her growth as a leader over her years may be becoming her greatest strength.
“Obviously her playing ability is phenomenal, but her leadership has really thrived this year and that is something that I am just super happy about,” said Carson High head coach Brittany Witter. “She always had the athletic ability, but for her to lead others on the court is great to see.”
ATTACKING PROWESS
Franco just wrapped up her junior year Wednesday when Carson fell to Reno in the regional semifinal, one win short of a state tournament berth with an 18-8 overall record.
The six-foot outside hitter has been a varsity starter since she was a freshman thanks in large part to her ability to blister the ball off the hardwood. She led the Class 5A North this season in kills with 247 and has tallied 635 in three years.
Outside of the high school season, Franco is competing in volleyball at the club level essentially year-round.
She’s traveled all over the United States competing with TStreet volleyball – formerly Silver State volleyball – based in Carson.
When Franco is on the attack, her focus is steadfast.
“I am definitely looking for hands. I am trying to find hands and either use the hands or hit between the hands. It’s not easy, especially when it’s fast-paced,” said Franco.
Witter says Franco’s maturity in adjusting to the game around her has taken her to the next level.
“She has become flexible in terms of hitting off of any set. She used to kind of want a perfect set. Now, she adjusts. She can spot place and she is an all-around player which has made me super happy,” Witter said.
(Abby Franco rises up for a kill against McQueen in late August. Franco led the Class 5A North in kills this season with 247, bringing her career mark to 635. Jeff Mulvihill, JR. | InstaImage)
ALL-AROUND ASSET
Franco possesses enough talent in every other area of the game that she rarely comes off the floor.
Franco will rotate into the back line to return serves and play defense, digging opponents’ attacks off the ground.
It’s an extraordinary all-around ability that is quite uncommon when teams have defensive specialists, who typically specialize in that very area.
“No, it’s not very common,” said Franco. “Usually DS’s go in the back row. I think I’ve worked pretty hard and I’ve earned it.”
She feels one of the most crucial aspects in that regard has been her ability to anticipate opponents’ moves.
“I think I am best at reading. I am not the fastest on the court, but I can definitely see where they are going so I am in position as they are hitting,” Franco said.
Franco’s talents to be a six-rotation player on the floor makes it tough on her head coach who knows there are other players who can be subbed in to return serves.
“It’s challenging because I have a lot of DS’s who would like to get on the court,” said Witter. “Her serve receive is what is keeping her on the court right now. She is probably are best serve receive player right now.”
Her improvement on the defensive side of the ball comes from hours of hard work, but Franco and her head coach think her biggest growth has come in the mental aspects of the sport.
“I think my best skill set is, especially if I’m getting blocked or having a rough game, I can still be positive out there and continue going until the game is finished,” Franco said.
Her head coach concurred.
“This year has been an insane year of maturity for her,” said Witter. “(She’s) lifting others up, which has in turn lifted her up. I don’t think she’s even realized that. The more she inspires others around her, the more she is improving. That has been really fun for me to watch. Her leadership at practices has been fundamental to our success.”
COLLEGIATE DREAMS
Whether she’s talented enough to play collegiate volleyball isn’t a discussion, it’s just a matter of what level volleyball she will be playing.
“I think she is definitely division I-caliber,” said Witter. “I think she has fixed her area that she needed to grow and that was being flexible and getting a ball that was not a perfect set. Now she can hit any type of set on the net or off the net. That is what has made her, to me, a division I player.”
Franco said she spends at least three hours a week sending out emails to college coaches, hoping to garner interest.
“All this work is to play college and that’s all l have ever wanted,” Franco said.
(Carson High junior hitter Abby Franco looks on during a timeout in the midst of the Senators’ opening round of regional postseason play this fall. Franco’s leadership around her teammates has been one of her best assets this season, according to her coach. Carter Eckl / Nevada Appeal)