Editor’s Note: A version of this story was published in the Stamford Advocate.

On September 27, Stamford High School history was made. On that fateful Wednesday night, SHS’s own Andrea O’Connor recorded the 1000th “kill” of her high school career. O’Connor joined some elite company that night, or may have even created her own, as there are no records of any other player in SHS history recording 1000 kills.

When I sat down with O’Connor to get her thoughts on the subject, she told me, “Passing 1,000 kills was never really something I thought about or strived for, so it doesn’t really feel any different, but I understand how huge it is and I want to thank every teammate that I have played with. They are the reason that this was possible.”

I then asked the All-FCIAC, All-State, and All-American what her next goal was, and what she strived for after such a great feat. She responded, “From here I am going to continue doing my job, and I just want to win as many games as possible.” O’Connor added that she wants the team to continue their success throughout the year. “It’s my senior year so I just want us to do as best as we possibly can this year,” O’Connor said. “A repeat is tough, but it would be nice to go out like that.”

Andrea’s career is truly a remarkable one. Despite her recent accomplishment, she said her most memorable kill was the one she had “to end the FCIAC championship game against Brien McMahon.”

O’Connor also brought up role models from her past as mentors who helped her get to the point of success that she is at. Those names include former players Anne Margaret Eilertsen, Nicole Pease, Liisa Balazs, and Sara Staley. “I learned from playing around those girls,” said O’Connor. Coach Mike Smeriglio was also thrown into the mix, as O’Connor stated that he was “the only volleyball coach I have ever known, so my skill was guided by him.”

While Andrea is humble outside of the court, she is a beast on it. Every game she continues to pile on more and more kills, surely on her way to breaking new boundaries and challenges alike. She continues to lead the Black Knights squad as they hope to clinch a playoff spot late in the season.