For a team that has seven seniors on its roster, it might be surprising that one of its juniors leads most of the statistical categories, but that’s the way it is for the Nicollet volleyball team.

Jenna Mettler, a junior hitter, leads the Raiders in kills, hits and hitting efficiency and is No. 2 in digs.

“Every play, I’m always calling the outside hit,” said Mettler, a second-year starter. “I always want to be the one hitting, but I couldn’t do it without my setters and passers.”

Mettler has a team-high 236 kills, averaging 9.44 kills per game through the Raiders’ first 25 matches.

“She’s a hard worker and a team leader,” said Nicollet coach Judy Radke. “Her passing is really important but she’s a great hitter. She’s great all around.”

In Mettler’s first season as a starter, she finished with 134 kills. Her role has changed on defense, anchoring the Raiders’ back row, as she played more near the net last season.

The change decreased her total blocks from 40 in 2007 to 15 so far in 2008, but she has 159 digs this season compared to 90 a year ago.

Mettler hopes to lead the Raiders (17-5-4, 8-2 Valley Conference) to the section finals and hopefully the state tournament.

“We’ve really been tuning it up,” Mettler said. “People can expect to see us at Gustavus (site of the Section 3A finals) this year.

“We’re in the running. (The state tournament) is definitely not out of the question.”

In the Raiders’ most recent match at Maple River, Nicollet trailed the Eagles 14-10 in the fifth game, but rallied with a 6-0 run to win the game and match.

“That was really huge for our confidence going into playoffs,” Mettler said.

Nicollet wraps up its regular season Thursday against Blooming Prairie before the Raiders open subsection play on Oct. 23 in Nicollet.

As for the future, Mettler plans on playing college volleyball. She has garnered some attention from Bethany Lutheran which is good for Mettler who wants to keep it local.

“Bethany’s the main one, I definitely want to stay in the area,” said Mettler, who also plays basketball and softball but would like to continue her volleyball career the most.