Farnham digs into Kernels' record book

Megan Farnham has not only broken the Mitchell High School volleyball record for the number of digs in a match this year, she’s broken it three times.

During the Kernels’ first matchup with Huron Sept. 8, Farnham recorded 38 digs in the match, which broke the previous record of 35. The record was shared by Melissa Dorale, who set the record in 2006, and Taylor Piper, who tied the record in 2008.

Last week, Farnham broke her own record in Mitchell’s second match against Huron, recording 39 digs. She again broke her own record Saturday when the Kernels defeated Rapid City Stevens with 41 digs.

In every record-breaking match, the Kernels have played five sets.

Farnham said her goal for every game is to be a playmaker for the rest of her team.

“I want to get as many balls up as I can to make the play and give somebody else the chance to make the kill for the point,” she said. “If you make the dig, that’s great, but if you can’t make a play with it then there’s really no purpose to it.”

Farnham is Mitchell’s defensive specialist called a libero. Although the position is looked at as a defensive player, head coach Deb Thill said Farnham plays a key role in setting up the Kernels’ offensive scheme.

“Being a libero is an essential part of running our offense,” Thill said. “To run our offense, you have to be in system and she does a really good job at reading hitters. She can kind of see on the opposite side to where the hitter is going to swing, and she puts herself in the right spot most of the time.”

Mitchell’s Kendra Morgan said Farnham’s dominance in the back row puts less pressure on the blockers up front.

“If we don’t get the block, we know she’s back there making sure the ball doesn’t hit the floor,” Morgan said. “She’s always on her toes ready to get that ball up if we’re not able to block it.”

Farnham has played on Mitchell’s varsity team for the past three seasons. She recorded 178 season digs as a sophomore, 219 digs as a junior and sits at 381 digs thus far in her senior season.

Thill said Farnham, who has 778 career digs, leads the Kernels from the back row and has all season.

“That middle back person is the heart and soul of your team because they touch the ball 80 percent of the time,” Thill said. “They have to be the one that talks the most because they see everything in front of them, and she does that.

“She’s got to be the one that leads by example and hustle for every ball, and when she does that that kind of sets the tone for all of us.”

Farnham said she wants to play volleyball in college, but is undecided of where she wants to play after her high school career finishes.

“It’s something I don’t want to give up after playing six years, so continuing on with it would be a great opportunity for me,” she said.

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