“We’re all told at some point in time that we can no longer play the children’s game, we just don’t know when that’s going to be. Some of us are told at 18, some of us are told at 40, but we’re all told.” – Moneyball
Although the quote is true, redshirt-senior Ali Kirk managed to rejuvenate her playing career after some time away from the game.
Kirk started her collegiate career at Lander University in 2014. She played in just three sets that season, totaling 19 assists and eight digs. Kirk saw playing time for a set in the win over Mount Olive, in the loss to Montevallo and the win over Converse.
As a sophomore, she saw time in 38 matches, totaling 137 sets. Kirk finished sixth in the PBC in assists per set (6.00). She also registered 1.91 digs per frame. For the season, Kirk registered 822 assists, 261 digs, 23 kills, 20 blocks and 17 aces. She averaged a double-double in a pair of matches against USC Aiken.
However, after her sophomore campaign, Kirk stepped away from volleyball to focus on her nursing career. She wrapped up her degree in the spring and still had one semester of eligibility remaining.
Kirk – a native of St. Simons Island, Ga., is from the same neck of the woods as USC Aiken head coach Glenn Cox.
The two spoke at length over the summer and Kirk decided her career was not over – as she joined the team prior to the start of the 2018 campaign.
Kirk has been a catalyst for USC Aiken’s 14-3 mark this season. While running a 6-2 offense, Kirk leads the squad with 332 assists (6.15/set). Additionally, she has 25 kills, 12 aces 47 digs and 10 total bocks on the year.
Below is the Innovative Solutions “A Closer Look” with Ali Kirk. Watch the interview as she discusses her transition to USC Aiken, getting to play one more season all while having her nursing degree.
