Women's volleyball: Harper takes aim at repeat

Winning back-to-back championships isn't easy, but that's the goal for the Harper College women's volleyball program this fall.

Harper has been ranked in the top 10 nationally in every week at the beginning of the previous six seasons.

You'll find the defending national champion Hawks there again this year - and in the topmost spot of the NJCAA Division III poll.

Harper opens play this weekend in the Wisconsin Dells tournament. Two of the four matches there feature ranked teams.

Harper coach Bob Vilsoet downplayed any pressure that might come with being the kind of team that will be targeted by foes.

"I don't think they are thinking about that," he said. "If there is, they don't seem to feel it."

With the Sports and Wellness Center undergoing renovation, the Hawks will have to get comfortable playing on the road this season. But fans will not have to travel far to see the Hawks, as they will compete at the Robert Morris University campus in Arlington Heights.

Vilsoet called the facility "fantastic" and said he doesn't consider the situation to be a hardship for his team.

Two key players from last season - Katelyn Sommers and Kathryn Novy - have graduated.

Novy had 343 kills and 84 blocks last season and is now playing for Bethel University. Sommers, who had 1,306 assists and 472 digs last year, will be taking the court for Trinity International University in Deerfield.

The Hawks do return seven players from last years 43-1 squad.

Vilsoet believes he again has the makings of "a fantastic team."

Leading the way will be the NJCAA national tournament MVP Sara Udoni. The Palatine alum is one of five attackers the Hawks will try to feature.

The natonal champs also welcome eight freshmen to the program along with Southern Illinois transfer Reania Cullin.

"She is one of the top player we've had in the program," Vilsoet said. "She's fantastic on defense. It's going to be interesting to watch her grow."