There are freshman athletes that have trouble adapting to the college game, and then there are freshman athletes that adapt quickly like Alexa Filley.
The freshman won the starting position as Auburn's setter before the season started in August, and has played at a high level ever since.
Filley broke former Tiger Sara Shanks single-season assist record Sunday, Nov. 16 when she added 52 against South Carolina. Shanks had 995 in 2008.
The Louisville, Kentucky native's 1,013 assists rank as the most by an Auburn setter in a single-season since 25-point rally scoring took effect prior to the 2008 season.
"I don't really think about the record or awards," Filley said. "I just play, and play to win. I want our whole team to be successful."
She is one of eight players at Auburn to ever record over 1,000 assists in a single season since 2006 and the second freshman in program's history. Filley is currently averaging 10.03 assists per set. If she keeps doing that, it would be the best average in a single-season for a player since 2008.
Sophomore Stephanie Campbell said Filley's confidence as a setter has been a confidence boost for the hitters on the team.
"She is very focused on controlling the court and balancing the sets to put the team in the best situations she can," Campbell said.
Filley also recorded her 15th double-double against the Gamecocks.
The setter leads Auburn and SEC freshman with 15 double-doubles this season, including five in her last six matches. Her nine double-doubles in conference play lead the league.
Head coach Rick Nold said Filley's assist record is something she will be very proud of, but shouldn't stop her from trying to get better.
Getting her hitters one-on-one and studying other teams are areas Filley said she wants to improve.
Nold said the setter is a big role to step into as a freshman because everything goes through that position, but there has never been a time where he thought Filley was backing off from the challenge.
The team expects a lot from Filley since her position is the focal point, Nold said.
Filley said she expects the same of herself and the team as her first season winds down.
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