|
With a second half record of 20-4, the Kankakee Community College Women’s Volleyball team was one of the hottest teams in the Nation going into the championship match of the 2008 NJCAA Region IV tournament. Kankakee competed in one of the most difficult schedules in the Region with over 20 matches against Nationally ranked opponents. The team excelled on offense, ending the season with a .261 hitting percentage, the best total in the past 4 seasons. KCC ended the year with a 36-13 mark, with 21 wins in straight sets.
Unlike 2008, the Cavaliers will be challenged with a very “young” squad of 11 freshmen, 1 transfer and 2 returners. Despite the lack of experience, the newcomers are talented and many have competed with clubs on the National level. The team will once again vie for the Region title after being in the championship match the last 2 seasons.
SETTERS
Two first year students will be called upon to lead the Cavalier offense in 2009. Both possess extensive experience in setting a quick, uptempo offense.
Heather Tolson received All State, All County and All Conference recognition and was a member of the Indiana All Star Team. Tolson led Clinton Central with 539 assists and 195 digs in her senior year and will also see time in the Opposite Hitter position.
Local standout Amanda Wulff from Bishop McNamara Catholic dished out 365 set assists and served 34 aces in 2008. She collected 1st Team Daily Journal All Area honors, Watseka All Tournament and was named the team’s co-Most Valuable Player. Wulff excelled in the classroom also as a National Honor Society member and an Illinois State Scholar.
OUTSIDE HITTERS
Well rounded in both front and back row play would be the best way to describe this group of Outside Hitters.
A converted Middle Blocker, Sophomore Kristin Hart returns with having played mostly as an Opposite Hitter for the Cavaliers last year. Appearing in 32 games, Hart, who hails from Indiana, had 25 kills and 9 blocks. As one of the few returning students, she will be charged with some of the leadership for the team.
Arius Seay comes to Kankakee from Michigan as an explosive presence on the outside. Seay, a late starter to the sport, had 202 kills, 54 blocks and hit .271 % for her Senior campaign. She received All Conference recognition and was named the team’s best offensive player.
Indiana native Lindsay Thompson, a‘6 rotation’ player, brings a consistent all around game to the Cavaliers. She was recognized as the Porter County player of the year (2007), All Conference, Northwest Indiana Times and Post Tribune All Area. Thompson put down 280 kills, 315 digs, 67 aces and 28 blocks.
Trinity Academy's Laura Williams will switch to a hitting role after setting throughout high school. Williams was the team’s most valuable player, selected for the Eagle Award and to the Christian Liberty Academy All Tournament team. She could also see some time as a back row player.
MIDDLE BLOCKERS
The Middle Blockers are an extremely versatile group where nearly all of the athletes can play multiple positions.
Second year player Emmaleigh Halweg (Peotone), a former Illinois State Scholar, will also be depended on to help lead this year’s team. A very quick and fast hitter, Halweg had 70 kills and 20 blocks in 61 games her first year. With more opportunities in the back row, she could see some matches in the outside hitting position.
Ashley Butt helped lead Cissna Park to an Elite 8 finish in the State tournament last fall. She had 197 kills to go along with 111 blocks and 102 digs. Butt was recognized as All State, 1st team DJ, Champaign News Gazette and Pantagraph All Area and All Conference.
Brittni Manietta from Coal City, brings immense potential, a good work ethic and a tough serve to the table. Her post season honors include DJ and Morris Daily Herald All Area. In her 2008 season, Manietta had 140 kills, 39 blocks and 41 service aces.
The team’s transfer student, Taylor O’Keefe started her career at St. Ambrose University (IA) where she made the varsity as a freshman. At Bradley-Bourbonnais, O’Keefe finished her senior campaign with 155 kills, 40 blocks and 26 aces enroute to 1st team DJ All Area, SWSC All Conference and All Tournament at the Boilermaker Classic and Mahomet Seymour. As a second player, she will assume some of the team leadership.
With a wealth of experience in high school and club, Kassandra Schmidt will be looked at in more than one position possibly on the rightside. She was selected All State in 2007 by Prepvolleyball.com, the same year she helped Mt. Pulaski to the Illinois 1A state title. Schmidt totaled 213 kills, 38 solo blocks and 138 digs last fall.
DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST/LIBERO
Two of the three athletes in this position are accomplished in the front row and they are all extremely consistent ball control players
Donovan’s Heather Fletcher is another athlete with extensive club experience having participated in 2 National tournaments. She racked up 233 kills, 242 digs and 32 aces while receiving 1st team DJ All Area honors and selection to the RVC All Conference team. Fletcher is another good student, named to the Wendy’s High School Heisman Award.
Buckeye Whitney Smith can also set when called upon. Another ‘6 rotation player’, Smith made All District, All Conference and the SBC Conference All Star team. With 38 kills, 234 set assists, 232 digs and 28 blocks, she was named the team’s best defensive player.
Kateland Woolridge from Grace Baptist is another athlete who will switch from the setting position to more of a defensive role. She was named HM DJ All Area while accumulating 197 assists and serving 67 aces. Woolridge was also named team most valuable player and the recipient of the Dallas Washer Award.
|