Moments in Santa Fe Volleyball History - Assistant Manager (2003)

[Mike DaRoza]

Santa Fe’s Megan Hough is currently on pace to smash the all-time school record for assists in a single season

By MIKE DAROZA


The ball gently darts up into the air twice, meeting a smashing right-hand kill on the way down, the crowd goes wild.
If you’ve attended any high school volleyball match, you’ve likely witnessed this scene, over and over.
But, if you’re like most people, you remember the kill, and not the set up.
And that’s just fine, according to Santa Fe Lady Raider senior Megan Hough, who is quietly approaching the all-time school record for assists in a single season.
“To me, I don’t have to be the one the fans notice,” said Hough, who was selected as team captain by her teammates before the 2003 season.
“It’s more important to get the recognition from my coaches and teammates.
“That’s really what matters more to me.”
Santa Fe has jumped out to a spotless 10-0 record to begin this season – one of their best starts in recent memory – and Hough has had a lot to do with that.
Not only is she an emotional leader for the Lady Raiders, Hough is also setting a blistering pace with assists this season.
Barely 10 matches into ’03, Hough has already recorded an astounding 228 assists – just shy of the school record 291, set by Erin Thomas last year – with at least 18 matches yet to be played on the schedule.
At her current pace (22.8 assists per match), Hough could eclipse the record within the next three matches, and from there, has a legitimate shot at more than doubling the present high mark.
“I had no clue,” Hough said about the possibility of setting a new school record.
“Erin was such a great setter, it’s an honor just to be compared with her.
“Our team is so thankful of one another, we all share everything as a team.”
Yet, the girls getting the spectacular kills still get all the attention.
“She is truly unselfish,” said Santa Fe coach Michele Faulk.
“She understands that when she’s setting her teammates up with great passes, her team is going to be successful.”
Just ask senior, and co-captain Hannah Johnson.
Johnson has been on the receiving end of many of Hough’s picture-perfect sets this season.
“Megan is my leader on the court,” said Johnson, who leads the Lady Raiders with 81 kills.
“If it wasn’t for her, my kills would mean nothing.
“She doesn’t get much of the credit or publicity for her sets, but if it wasn’t for her sets we hitters wouldn’t be getting as many kills as we do.”
And Johnson, and others hitters like her, a very appreciative for what Hough brings to Santa Fe.
After each and every crowd-pleasing kill, the first person these hitters seek out is the setter, and often times that is Hough.
But, as Faulk puts it, she’s usually nowhere to be found.
“They turn around to congratulate her, but she’s not there,” Faulk explained.
“She’s usually already over praising the girls that sent her the great pass.”
It’s intangibles like that, Faulk insists, is what makes Hough a consummate leader for an undefeated team on the rise.
“Megan leads by example,” Faulk noted.
“You can just see the great love and passion she has for the game.
“She’s usually the first one to finish our drills and sprints in practice, and her teammates pick up on that.
“Megan is very respected by all of the girls.”
Hough sees her job as team captain as more of a maintainer, rather than motivator.
“I just feel it’s up to me to just keep everyone together,” she said.
“When they get down, I try to pick them up, and when they get too far up, I try to keep them down to earth.
“Although, it’s not a hard job at all, because this team does a good job of leading themselves.”
But what else would you expect from a behind-the-scenes personality; spreading praise and bestowing credit around to her teammates, instead of herself?
“Megan couldn’t be happier when her teammates are having success,” Faulk added.
“And, all the other girls know that.
“You can see a genuine appreciation here, and because of that, there is no jealousy on this team.”
Apparently, no matter whom the crowd cheers for.