While the raw skills were there when Ainsley Wilson arrived at Burlington Central as a freshman, the confidence to accompany that took some time to develop.
Now a senior middle hitter with a commitment to Dayton, she can look back and admit that it took her some time to get to the dominant position she’s in now.
“I was more timid,” Wilson said. “I didn’t really believe in myself. I didn’t really have confidence. Now, since I’m a senior and I’ve gotten a lot better, I’ve gained a lot of confidence.
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“I’ve really taken that role of being more vocal as a senior.”
The 6-foot-4 Wilson is a problem for most opposing teams in the middle, and not only has her dominant play propelled the Rockets this season, her leadership is rubbing off on the entire team.
Wilson came up with another steady match Thursday night for Burlington Central, finishing with five kills, two blocks and two aces in a 25-20, 25-17 Fox Valley Conference win at Jacobs.
Lani Akenten joined Wilson with five kills and added seven digs for the Rockets (24-4, 10-2). Kaylie Brown notched four kills and Makenna Manganiello served six aces.
Adele Kron and Rachelle Zieba each contributed four kills for Jacobs (6-20, 1-11).
Burlington Central coach Julia Smagacz has watched Wilson’s evolution throughout her career and doesn’t even point to her on-the-court attributes as the first thing that stands out to her.
“The biggest thing I’ve seen with her in her growth is her leadership,” Smagacz said. “Obviously, you come in as a freshman playing on varsity, it can be intimidating. Looking at where she is now, she’s one of the most vocal leaders. She’s leading by example too, obviously.
“You see her hit a ball once and you’re like, ‘OK, yeah, that’s something we have to contend with.’”
Wilson confirmed that she always thought she had that in her, but with upperclassmen ahead of her, she didn’t exert herself in that way. She has no problem doing that as a senior.
“I think I’m a natural leader,” Wilson said. “I speak loud and I’m not afraid to speak up and say what needs to happen.”
Her role over time has increased as well. She’s now the serving middle for the Rockets, which is something she has wanted to do for a couple of seasons.
It’s paying off as she’s one of the team leaders in aces in her first time serving on the varsity level.
“I always wanted to serve,” Wilson said. “I really wanted it this year. I worked on it a lot. I’m excited to go back to the line and serve.”
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On Thursday, the Rockets rallied to win the first game from a 20-20 tie. They truly pulled away in the second game, though. Wilson put away a pair of consecutive kills to open a 20-12 lead.
“We got a decent block up,” Jacobs coach Michael Depa said. “She has her ones that go straight down. That’s going to happen. For the most part, I thought we did a nice job against her.
“We’ve been working on getting those blocks up better. She can hit it right over it, too.”
Wilson can look at Akenten, the Rockets’ star freshman outside hitter, and see some of herself. Considering everything Wilson went through to get here, she can help Akenten get to that level.
“I’m good friends with her,” Wilson said. “I always tell her as much as I can because I know when I was in that position it’s hard. I just try to help her as much as I can. I’m really excited for her.”
With that duo dominating, it has turned into a special season for the Rockets.
“You seem them play together and it’s crazy,” Smagacz said.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.