MaxPreps National High School Volleyball Record Book: Michigan junior climbs toward all-time kills record

By Kevin Askeland Dec 7, 2023, 11:00am

Navea Gauthier of Shelby less than 1,000 kills away from Michigan career mark.

Navea Gauthier of Shelby (Mich.) led the nation in kills during the 2023 season and moved into the top 25 among all-time kills leaders in the updated MaxPreps National Volleyball Record Book. But she doesn't figure to stop there.

The junior is within striking distance of the Michigan state career kills record and has a chance to break the single-season kills record next year. Gauthier hammered 1,034 kills this year, according to the MaxPreps leaderboards, which ranks No. 6 all-time. The national single-season kills record is 1,081 by Jessi Blackstock of Brooks (Killen, Ala.) in 2010.

Gauthier's kills totals are part of the update to the MaxPreps National High School Volleyball Record Book, which also includes most championships and consecutive championships as well as season and career milestones changes.

The Shelby standout also ranks No. 15 for career kills with 2,801. The Michigan record for career kills is 3,584 by Alisha Glass of Leland (Mich.) from 2003 to 2006.

Gauthier is one of about a dozen new additions to the MaxPreps National Volleyball Record Book for career and single-season statistical categories.
For career assists, Savannah Skopal of Rouse (Leander, Texas) is the highest debuting player as she finishes her career with 5,553 assists. That ranks No. 10 on the all-time list. Also making the list is Ava Nilsson of Warner (S.D.), who finished her career with 5,033 assists.

For aces, Esther Archibald of Heartland (Belton, Mo.) is the only player from the Class of 2023 to finish with over 500 career aces at 510. Meanwhile, Mikayla Taborn of Franklinton (N.C.) has the most blocks for graduating seniors with 660.



In the single-season category, national leaders Sidney Soria of Randall (Amarillo, Texas) ranks 11th all-time for assists with 1,831, Samantha Donlucas of Lincoln (San Diego) ranks 16th all-time in aces with 223 and Ava Gustafson of Madison County (Gurley, Ala.) ranks 26th in blocks with 325.

Single-game records will be updated at a late date. For any additions or corrections to the career and single season records, please e-mail kevinaskeland65@gmail.com.

Note: Story was edited to include Gauthier's correct career kill total.