Columbus North’s Reese Edwards sets the ball during a match at against Bloomington North Aug. 30, 2023, Columbus North High School.
The Republic file photo
When Columbus North hosts Jennings County for its volleyball senior night on Thursday, the Bull Dogs will be honoring not one, but two players who have reached or are on the verge of reaching big milestones.
Senior setter Reese Edwards has eclipsed 1,000 career assists. Junior libero Morgan Osborn has 999 career digs and with her first dig on Thursday, will reach the 1,000 mark.
“I think it’s awesome for them to hit those milestones because not everybody gets that opportunity,” North coach Jenna Ortega said. “They’ve worked hard. They deserve it, and it’s just exciting to be a part of that.”
Edwards went over the 1,000 assist mark in last week’s loss at Scottsburg.
“It was very exciting,” Edwards said. “Not a lot of people get to accomplish that, so it was a big milestone for me.”
Reese Edwards
A three-year starter on the varsity, Edwards has been part of a 6-2 offense the past two years, meaning she has shared setting duties with another player.
“Reese was a freshman when I first started coaching here, so we’ve kind of grown together,” Ortega said. “To be able to watch her and witness her grow as a player and as an individual over the last four years, I’m really proud of her for pushing herself through all of her hurdles the last couple years with her knee injuries. To hit this milestone is exciting.”
Edwards has battled through three knee surgeries from last summer through March of this year. She played last season with a torn meniscus.
“I think it’s one of her best seasons,” Ortega said. “With all the knee surgeries she’s encountered, she’s had to learn different routes with the speed and what she can handle.
Morgan Osborn
Osborn’s career digs total includes her freshman year, when she played for her mother Jessica Robertson at Brown County. Osborn came to North as a sophomore last year, and Robertson now is an assistant coach for the Bull Dogs.
Osborn has a chance to surpass Maddy Sebahar’s North career record of 1,051 digs by next year.
“It’s been my goal since I was probably 7 to get 1,000 digs, so I think it’s a pretty big deal for me,” Osborn said.
“I’m pretty sure that girl eats, sleeps and drinks volleyball,” Ortega added. “Morgan is extremely determined. When she sets her mind to something, she’s very good.”
The Bull Dogs are 8-11 following wins against Terre Haute North on Saturday and Greenwood Christian Academy on Monday. They’re 2-1 in Conference Indiana.
“I think we’ve had our ups and downs, but we are definitely on track to have a very successful end of our season,” Osborn said.
“I think we’re having a great season,” Edwards added. “We’re a very positive and uplifting team.”
