After a disappointing 5-34 finish last season, IVCC Women’s Volleyball coach Julie Sherbeyn has reloaded her roster with a lot of local area talent to make a play for the Arrowhead Conference Championship this season.
“Last year, we were not good,” Sherbeyn said. “We had a lot of injury problems and some gaps in the roster that we’ve filled. [We have] a lot of exciting new players and some returning sophomore talent with their leadership and presence. This year, we’re very solid with a lot of offensive threats.
“Anybody on the court is capable of finishing. We like to call them ‘terminators.’”
Returning sophomore players include Captain MH Hailee Brayton (St. Bede), RS Mary Grusk (LaSalle-Peru), OH Jessica Jacobson (Bureau Valley), and DS Katie Huss (Serena).
Incoming freshman recruits are Captain DS Taylor Gunia (LaSalle-Peru), DS Kelsey Ott (Hall), S Lisa Lukkari (Ottawa), MH/RS Kayla MacDavitt (St. Bede), S Johnna Schultz (Hall), OH Crystalynn Washkowiak (LaSalle-Peru), OH Sarah Lushina (Carson, NV), DS Jessica Jessen (Marquete), and MH/RS Nicole Museelman (Metamora).
The Lady Eagles opened their 2012 campaign at the College of DuPage Tournament on Aug. 24 and 25. They defeated Oakton on day one 25-19; 25-19; 25-22.
Washkowiak led the way with 9 points, followed by Brayton and Lukkari with 7. Gunia solidified the defense with 11 digs.
Also, on the first day, they defeated Madison Area Tech 15-25; 25-17; 21-25; 25-19; 15-12.
Lukkari led the team with 17 assists, 9 points, and 3 aces. Jessen led the defense with 32 digs.
The second tournament day was a learning experience for the Lady Eagles as they dropped the first game against Highland 22-25; 19-25; 25-13; 17-25 and lost to Harper College 25-22; 22-25; 17-25; 11-25.
Coach Sherbeyn had this to say about the tournament: “We were in control of our play Friday but were more inconsistent on Saturday to lose those games. The team’s goal is to stay focus and maintain consistency.”
On Aug.t 29, the team began their home schedule against Lincoln College and regained their consistency in a big way, winning 25-18; 25-22; 25-15.
Gunia led the team with nine points and three aces. Musselman, Brayton, Macdavitt, Lushina, and Washkowiak were forces in the front row, each blocking one shot.
Highland CC will come to IVCC on Sept. 11 before the team hits the road to play Sauk Valley on Sept. 12. IVCC will host an invitational with Harper College, Elgin, Waubonsee, Joliet Junior College, and Black Hawk East on 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 and travel to Harper College for a tournament on the 21 and 22.
Sherbeyn hosts an annual summer camp for elementary volleyball which helps her players build teamwork. She also travelled to Honolulu for a week for the Nokaoi volleyball showcase by Wave Sports.