Meet one of the best volleyball setters in Ohio
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Jillian McCutcheon
Waterford
Nickname: Jill
Year: senior
Age: 17
GPA: 3.9
Sports: volleyball, basketball
VB position: setter
BB position: guard
Height: 5-foot-4
College: undecided
Major: biology
Family: Kevin and Dawn McCutcheon (father and mother); older brother Alex; older sister Haley
Question: Was play stopped after you got your 2,000th career volleyball assist against Miller Monday night? (Jill only needed five to reach the milestone, and she finished the 3-game sweep with 18.)
Answer: (laughs) No. I had no clue that I was that close. But between the first and second sets, it was announced that I had reached 2,000. All my teammates presented me with flowers, balloons, and candy.
Q: When did you get your 1,000th assist?
A: At the beginning of last season, when I was a junior.
Q: Is volleyball your favorite sport?
A: Yes, it is. I like basketball. It's really close, but I like volleyball a little bit more.
Q: Do you think you'd like to play volleyball in college?
A: Hmmm….I think if I get an opportunity, I might. But right now, I'm just trying to narrow down where I will be going to college.
Q: Is Marietta College in the mix?
A: As a matter of fact, it is.
Q: When did you start playing volleyball?
A: In the fifth or sixth grade.
Q: Have you always been a setter?
A: (laughs) No. I was an outside hitter when I was a freshman. I didn't become setter until my sophomore year. They didn't have anyone, and the coach said that it looked like I knew how to set.
Q: What's it take to be a setter?
A: You've got to be smart and know who your hitters are. And, you've got to be able to get to the ball. You have to be quick, have good hands, and good foot work. It takes a lot of hard work, and having good hitters helps.
Q: What goals have you set for yourself this year?
A: Getting 2,000 assists was one of them. But returning to state is another. Right now, we're having a good season, and we'd like to go undefeated in the TVC (Tri-Valley Conference).
Q: How about basketball goals?
A: Making it back to state and going undefeated in the TVC.
Q: When Waterford won state last season, you saw quite a bit of action at the Jerome Schottenstein Center. I'll bet you that was an exciting time?
A: It was. Usually, me and Megan (Ball) went into the game together. (Laughs) We're all still celebrating that state championship.
Q: Who has inspired you during your sports career at Waterford?
A: Laken Shook (volleyball coach), Jerry Close (basketball coach), Don Miller (coach), and my dad (Kevin), who's an assistant for Jerry. They've all pushed me to do more and more than I thought I could do.
Q: Do your mom and dad get to all your volleyball matches?
A: They haven't missed one this season.
Q: What do you do off the volleyball and basketball courts?
A: I just hang out with my friends, and do homework. (Laughs)
I used to ride horses. That was a lot of fun. We have a pony (Bailey) and a horse (Daven). Since playing volleyball and basketball, I haven't been able to ride, though.
Q: Anything else that you'd like to add?
A: I didn't think Senior Night (Tuesday vs. Wahama) would come so fast.
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Ron Johnston, rjohnston@mariettatimes.com