COLUMBIANA — Crestview junior Laney Auer has done bits and pieces of everything in her career so far, but she wasn’t sure she would reach a big milestone this season.
Her team made sure she got that recognition.
Laney Auer surpassed 1,000 career assists on Tuesday as the Rebels defeated the champions 25-9, 25-7, 25-9 in a Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Gray Division contest.
He surpassed 1,000 assists in the third set, giving him 1,002 assists in his career. This season, Lainey is gaining more confidence as an attacker, so her mother had to make some adjustments to get her closer to her 1,000 assist goal.
“This year, she only had one and a half set, so we knew she was close, so we went for a more traditional 6-2.” Coach Alisha Auer said. “She wasn’t setting as much because we needed her more offensively.”
Rainey said she was excited to celebrate the milestone.
“Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I would get it this year because I set it at half the price.” Rainie Auer said.
And who were given most of those assists along the way?
“Probably 90 percent went to (my sister Grace and Abby Emch).” Rainie Auer said.
Emch, a freshman at the University of Pittsburgh, had 27 kills, two blocks, two aces and 10 digs on Tuesday.
“Abby was trying really hard to get the kill because she wanted Laney to assist.” Alisha Auer said.
Laney Auer finished the night with nine kills, 21 assists, two blocks, and four aces.
“(Lainey) brings excitement and joy to our team.” Rebel junior Sophia Stewart said. “She’s a really great player and we’re thrilled that she reached 1,000 assists.”
Natalie Blakeman added 10 digs and Sophia Dattilio had four kills and one block.
The Rebels are ranked second in the state in their division. The V coaches poll puts them 17-0 and 12-0 in league play. As a member of the MVAC Gray Division, Crestview has won 92 consecutive league games and has never lost a league game. The Rebels play nonleague play today at Western Reserve before heading to Garrettsville-Garfield on Thursday for the title-clinching game. Crestview already defeated Garfield once, the G-Men’s only league loss.
“I’m really, really excited to play Garfield again.” Rainie Auer said. “It’s going to be a fun game.”
The games against the Flashes (13-6, 7-5), the third-place team in the league, lasted 13, 15, and 14 minutes, respectively. Crestview has lost just one set all season, against East Liverpool on Aug. 20. Given the wide gap between the Rebels and the rest of the league, Crestview often has to challenge itself to perform better in these lopsided games.
“We focus on ourselves.” Stewart said. “Our focus is on staying in control, getting great kills and executing great plays.”
“The schedule is like a roller coaster.” Alisha Auer said. “We’re trying to schedule some really strong games outside of the league. It’s possible that some teams in the league will challenge us, but some nights the teams are weaker, and we We always have to focus on what we’re doing on the court.”
Precautions
 ̄ Emchi’s batting speed is no joke. Some of the champion players’ hands were shaking from just a few fingers touching Emchi’s spikes.
“She gave someone a concussion earlier this year.” Rainie Auer said.
The Rebel team received a special surprise from their fathers before the game. Wearing soccer jerseys with their daughters’ numbers on them and wigs on, the fathers ran several laps around the gym during warm-ups.
“We have the best dads and they have a weird theme every year.” Alisha Auer said. “Last year they rode rubber horses at Cowboy Night. Amy Blakeman is the mother of team spirit and Travis Blakeman comes up with some good ideas.”
The girls on the team didn’t expect their fathers to show up in those outfits.
“I knew because my husband wore a wig.” Alisha Auer said.
 ̄ Crestview won 25-14, 25-15 against Jay-Bee. Kerrigan Miller had three kills, one ace and four digs. Kaylee Blakeman had five digs. Addison Wendall had two aces, nine assists and two kills.
 ̄ Crestview won the freshman game 13-25, 25-8, 25-8. Laney Milhoan had nine aces, 13 points, and five kills. Makayla McKee had five aces, seven points, and four kills. Kelsey Hoop had five aces, 15 points, and 10 assists.