Senior setter for Bob Jones ranked No. 1 nationally in assists

MADISON – When the 2024 season was about to get underway Bob Jones volleyball head coach Jenny Jarrett knew she had a wide range of talented players on her roster. Included in the group were Kennedy Vaughn who was the defending Class 7A Player of the Year and Riley Lovell who was on the edge of greatness heading into Class 7A play.

Vaughn, (OH, 5-11, Sr.) reached 2,000 kills in her career along with the team record in that category. Lovell (S, 5-6, Sr.) has posted even greater statistics with 49 aces, 87 kills, 21 blocks, 1,175 assists and 257 digs and now has the team record of over 4,000 career assists, which currently ranks her No. 1 in the country in that category. She also over 1,000 career digs with the Lady Patriots.

According to MaxPreps, Lovell’s 1,138 assists this season puts her on top among the players from across the country. One of her most recent efforts came with the Bob Jones victory at the GVCA Invitational where the Lady Patriots defeated five top elite schools including host Pace Academy in the finals. Riley led the Pats (387) with 208 assists, 26 digs, 11 kills and 8 service aces. Teammates Kendall Buckley added 63 kills and Kali Beigh added 96 assists.

Lovell has also been recognized for her outstanding play by being named the National Guard Prospect of the Week in September and the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Alabama State Player of the Week. She is one-of-akind.

“Riley has a very high volleyball IQ as she has worked very hard since a young age to be an elite setter,” said Jarrett of her senior player who has committed to UAB. “She is strong, which helps her run our fast offense. Of course we have strong hitters, but Riley definitely helps her teammates look better as she gives our hitters a very good ball to swing at and be successful.”

Besides Riley’s No. 1 ranking in Alabama, Vaughn is tops among Alabama players in kills and Beigh is rated first in digs.

Bob Jones is currently ranked No. 2 in Alabama with the Area Tournament set for Oct. 17, Super-Regional Oct. 23-24 and plans to return to the State Tournament, Oct. 29-30, where they are two-time runners-up, but with play like Lovell’s, all bets are on the Lady Patriots to bring back the “Alabama Blue Map” that signifies State Champion.