Gazette MVP: Highland's Alayna Tessena caps off record-setting career with postseason magic

Alayna Tessena's career statistics are astounding and unprecedented in Medina County history. The Highland outside hitter amassed 1,424 kills, 256 aces, four Suburban League American Conference championships, four All-Gazette berths, three undefeated home seasons, two All-Ohio selections and an overall win-loss record of 85-16. The only thing missing from her résumé was a magical postseason run, and the 6-footer made it happen in her final opportunity. Tessena elevated her game to a different level in the tournament, hammering 93 kills over five matches in powering the Hornets to the Norwalk Division I Regional final. By advancing to the Elite Eight, they matched the county's best showing in the rally-scoring era. "From the get-go, (assistant Holly Phillips) and I saw it in Layne's eyes," Highland coach Laura Merk said. "We told the setters, 'Feed her. She's on and she wants the ball.' "She's been a phenomenal player and a leader all along, but Layne would not be denied in the postseason. She was unstoppable." Northern Colorado signee Tessena became the second county player with five 15-kill matches in one postseason, joining Brunswick's Ally Badowski in 2015. She led the team with 14 aces and 114 serve receptions as well and ranked second with 74 digs and third with 12 blocks. The Hornets eliminated league champions Brunswick, Wooster and Olmsted Falls to capture the Valley Forge District, then dominated Amherst Steele in the regional semifinals. The No. 5 Bulldogs and No. 16 Comets were both state ranked. "I really wanted to make it far and do well this season, especially with all my friends and I being seniors," Tessena said. "Having great teammates and coaches, I love that part the most about volleyball. There is a big support system that helped me become a stronger player." Tessena was tremendous throughout the tournament, but the Wooster and Olmsted Falls district matches were unquestionably the signature performances of her career. Highland fought off a pair of match points against the Generals in the fifth set, when Tessena saved the first with a kill and made dynamic digs to keep both plays alive. She finished with 17 kills and a career-high 25 digs. Two nights later, Tessena tied the school postseason record with a match-best 24 kills and had 19 digs, six blocks and five aces in a four-set upset of Olmsted Falls in the district final. "Front row or back row, Layne was my go-to girl," senior setter Megan Scavuzzo said. "It wasn't a secret. Other teams knew she was getting the ball when we needed a big kill, but they couldn't do anything about it. Honestly, it was a lot of fun to watch them try." Tessena completed her career with the most aces in county history — she also owns the season mark of 91, set two years ago — and is second in kills behind current University of Georgia star Kacie Evans, who had 1,569. The three-time Gazette MVP also made 774 digs and 176 blocks, placing her in the top three all time at Highland, and established school records with 101 matches and 347 sets played. Tessena added 1,198 serve receptions, willingly sacrificing her body for the good of the team. "She is undoubtedly one of the best players in Northern Ohio while maintaining immense humility," Merk said. The Ohio High School Volleyball Coaches Association rewarded Tessena by voting her onto the All-Ohio second team as a junior and to the third team this fall. She joined Evans, Buckeye's Marah Farage and Brunswick's Ally and Kirsten Badowski as multiple-time All-Ohio teamers. Perhaps most impressive, Tessena was incredibly consistent from year to year offensively, posting kill percentages between 48.0 and 49.3 each season. Along the way, she matured from an unassuming 14-year-old prodigy to an admirably earnest, 17-year-old leader. Sophomore setter Ashley Shefferly beautifully captured the essence of Alayna on senior night, leaving both of them in tears. "Layne, you had no idea how big of an impact you made on a little girl that you didn't even know," Shefferly said. "The confidence you had as a freshman, and the way the team and fans just adored you made me realize how special you must be. "You are the most humble and sweetest person I have ever met. You never brag about your success, so the team does that for you. The University of Northern Colorado is lucky to have you on their team, but not as lucky as we were to have you first." Tessena, who won 38-of-40 home matches with the Hornets, is eager to take her talents to the NCAA D-I level. Bears coach Lyndsey Oates will keep her on the outside and expects her "fast arm" to "fit in very well right away." Northern Colorado, located in Greeley, is one of the top programs in the sprawling Big Sky Conference. Itineraries in the 10-team league are daunting with schools in eight states — all to the west — but Tessena views that as a positive. "The campus is really pretty and I'm actually excited about the travel," the future education major said. "I know there will be a lot of long flights, but I want to see the world when I'm older. This gives me an opportunity to start doing that right away." One final season of basketball and six more months of academic assignments at Highland will come first. "I want to thank Coach Laura and Coach Holly and Coach T (former coach Tarynn Minegar), too," she said. "Our whole team couldn't have done this without them. And I'm grateful to all my teammates, senior friends and family for making this season so memorable. Thank you to everybody for making me the player that I am." Contact Brian Dulik at brisports@hotmail.com. Follow him @BrianDulik on Twitter.