When Ashlyn Klitsch was told that she was selected as the Times News/Lehigh Valley Health Network Volleyball Player of the Year, it took a few moments for her to process the idea that she was ‘the girl.’

“I was totally taken back,” said the senior, who helped lead her Marian teammates to yet another District 11 Class A gold medal, and a berth in the state tournament.

“This was such a surprise, and I am really grateful and honored,” Klitsch said. “I mean there are a lot of great players out there, a lot of great volleyball teams and to be chosen is something that I never dreamed of!”

Indeed, the good ones never look beyond their next game or their last, either. Klitsch was hoping for another banner season after being a part of the 2020 team that reached the state finals, but only to lose out to Clarion Area on Nov. 21.

“It was really a great run this season, as much as I hated for us to lose to (Sacred Heart), a team that we beat last year, but I knew they were going to be a difficult match for us,” Klitsch said of this year’s first-round loss in the state tournament.

Maria Serina took over as coach of the Fillies late last summer, and immediately left an impression with Klitsch.

“She instilled so much confidence in me, I just couldn’t wait until the season started,” Klitsch said. “We worked very hard in the offseason, and Maria and (assistant coach) AJ (Serina husband of Maria) was such a big help to me and to the other players, too. What our coaches did was not only work with us as a team, but they took the time to work individually with me. To improve my game and push me to be the best I can be.”

Maria Serina could see the potential in her senior leader.

“Ashlyn is so fun to coach because she is always up for a challenge and being pushed to be the best volleyball player and overall athlete that she can be,” said Serina. “I have so much respect for Ashlyn and her dedication and approach to the game.”

Klitsch calls herself a ‘gym rat.’

“I just love to be in the gym, whether it’s working out, lifting or practicing, that’s just me,” she offered. “You work so hard to get better and you want to improve all the time. That’s the way you can be a success in sports; you’ve got to work at it.

“You know the biggest obstacle was myself. It would get in my own head. And at times you get (down) and you don’t want to keep working. You want to give up. But you have to remind yourself that to get where you want to be in the end, you have to keep pushing and working. Actually, coach Serine put that in me.”

Serina could sense that Klitsch was the ‘energizer bunny,’ as she was always on the go, never letting the throttle ease off. And when practices began in earnest for the fall, the first-year Fillies’ coach knew she had a special player in the offing.

“Ashlyn is smart, super athletic, and is an ultimate hustler,” Serina said. “She plays every point as if it is match point. She is the type of athlete who makes the players around her better, and her confidence and leadership are easy to see. She has such a controlled, take-charge attitude that is highly respected by both her peers and coaches.”

Klitsch credits her parents, Michele - a teacher in the Jim Thorpe School District - and her father David - a former state police officer - for a lot of her success.

“They made the sacrifices for me, whether taking me to practices or competing in the offseason. I can’t say enough about them,” said Klitsch. “The support from them was unbelievable. I’d have an early morning tournament, and we’d jump in the car and either my dad or my mom was driving somewhere so that I could play and become the volleyball player that I am today.”

While the Fillies came up a tad short in their quest to get back to the state finals, she felt the effort was there, but credited the entire team for a great senior season.

Klitsch aspires to play at the next level, and is looking at Eastern University and Neumann University.

Serina says that Klitsch can get to the next level.

“Ashlyn can absolutely play at the next level,” the coach said. “Not only is she capable of playing collegiate volleyball, but she is capable of being on the floor and running an offense as a freshman. She has already run a collegiate style offensive system with us, and college coaches would openly welcome her leadership and decision-making skills. She would be a fantastic asset to any program. “

It’s obvious Klitsch is the type of athlete that every coach would enjoy being around.

“Ashlyn is very special young adult,” said Serina. “She considers the needs and interests of those around her, and makes it a priority to help them in any way that she can. She is a true leader off the court, and a strong, independent individual. I have seen so much positive growth from her in such a short period of time. Ashlyn is a fantastic role model for young people.”

Not to mention a standout player, as well.