Reaching a milestone in digs carries multiple meanings for Jacksonville volleyball player Lakota Flatt.

“It means a lot to me because it comes after my sister, Shawnee’s 1,000 career assists, and it was something I looked forward to,” the senior said. “But I also want to be the person who can, not only elevate myself, but also elevate the team.

“So, getting 1,000 digs is a cool accomplishment, but I like knowing I am helping my team push forward.”

Flatt recorded her 1,000th dig in a four-set defeat at J.H. Rose on Sept. 17. She entered 18 shy of the mark and notched 20 against the defending state 6-A champion.

Flatt had 310 digs as a junior, 385 as a sophomore and 12 as a freshman. She became the second one in her family to record an individual feat as her sister, Shawnee, surpassed 1,000 assists in 2024.

Flatt credited hard work for her achievement.

“I’ve played volleyball since I was a little kid … and there are definitely some restless nights,” Flatt said. “But those long nights and hard days in the gym have helped all of push forward and helped me get 1,000 digs.”

And Flatt getting it was a proud moment for her mother, Catherine, Jacksonville’s coach.

“I’ve been very fortunate as a coach and as a mom to coach all three of my girls. They are blessings,” Catherine said. “Lakota has worked really hard at it and has stayed consistent. There are certain things that I expect from her like being a team leader, and she has done that on the off the court.”

Lakota has been one of the area’s best players in recent seasons.

Last year, she was first-team all-area and second-team 6-A all-state after she recorded 310 digs, 200 kills, 42 aces and 24 assists.

She entered the Cardinals’ three-win victory at White Oak on Tuesday first on the team with 183 kills, second in digs with 328, third in blocks with 25, third in aces with 14 and fourth in assists with 52.

Lakota’s efforts have helped Jacksonville (13-4, 3-2 Big Carolina Conference) match the 2023 squad for most wins in a season since the Cardinals won 14 in 2019.

“It has already been a great season seeing everybody develop and help the team, but I would really like us to go really far in the playoffs,” Lakota said. “I want to see all the girls grow and continue to love the sport that I love.”

The 17-year-old Lakota’s plan after graduation is to excel in collegiate volleyball as she’s committed to play at Salem College.

Her mother simply wants Lakota to continue “grow and thrive” on and off the court.

“We’re excited about her journey,” Catherine said. “I want her to continue doing what she’s done for our teams to her college team, but I also want her to graduate and find something where she is going to help society and the community.”

Chris Miller can be contacted via email at cmiller@jdnews.com. Follow him on X @jdnsports.