Team concept the rule for Hersey volleyball team

They met for the first time in 2003.

Katie Lill and Becca Haraf were seventh graders from different schools hoping to launch successful volleyball careers.

They were sitting in the Ken Carter Gymnasium getting ready for a summer camp run by Hersey head coach Nancy Lill, the mother of Katie.

Turn the calendar ahead six years.

They are still seeing each other in that same gym.

And this fall, the two best friends are all-area volleyball players hoping to see an exciting finish to their high school careers.

A pair of three-year starters, Lill and Haraf are co-captains for Hersey, and they will try to lead the way to another banner season.

"They're great kids," said Nancy Lill, one of the state's top coaches with 682 wins. "Both are top students in their class and really bright girls."

Katie Lill: Soccer. Basketball. Dance. Softball.

Katie Lill dabbled in them all.

But it should come as no surprise volleyball would be the sport she came to love.

Not much of an explanation is needed when your mother is one of the most successful coaches in Illinois girls volleyball history.

And Katie got to play for Nancy for four years.

"Sometimes, because she is my mom, I am reluctant to take her advice," Katie said with a smile. "But I know in the end she is going to be right. She knows way more than I."

Katie obviously has listened well.

Despite her 5-foot-10 height, she has become one of the top outside hitters in the Mid-Suburban League.

"When I play for other coaches, it just doesn't seem normal," Katie said. "I think it takes some pressure off me playing for my mother because I know she knows what I can do."

What Katie Lill can do is battle with the best of them.

Last fall, she walloped a team-high 214 kills with a .308 hitting efficiency. She also was third on the team with 174 digs.

"It's just the adrenaline flowing," said Lill of her ability to put down some dynamic kills despite her size.

Lill and Haraf have waited a long time to be the senior leaders this fall.

"We used to watch Megan Fesl and Annie Fesl (former Hersey all-area standout sisters) and couldn't wait 'til we could be like them," Katie said. "We're really excited about this season because it was such a tough ending when we lost to Fremd in the sectional last year. It was one of the worst losses of my life.

"So we've worked so hard for this season. Since we lost so many good players from last year, we're hoping we can surprise some people this fall."

Next fall, Lill is looking forward to studying physical therapy, probably at Marquette University. The A honor roll student (only one B in three years) ranks 11th in her class.

"I've had some ankle injuries and I've been to some places for rehab and I like a job where you can help other people get better," Katie said.

Although her mom is one of the finest coaches in the state, Katie says she'll take a pass on that occupation.

"I don't think I could do as well as my mom," she said with a smile. "I get too frustrated. I don't know how she deals with everything. I really respect her for that."

Instead, Katie would rather frustrate her opponents with kills and digs.

Becca Haraf: When she started at Hersey as a freshman, Haraf's expertise was playing the setting position.

But as a sophomore, instead of playing setter for the junior varsity, Haraf wanted to play a role on the varsity team which already had one of the top setters in the area in Shelly Mueller.

So that meant one thing. Haraf would have to try a new position.

Huskies coach Nancy Lill knew that as a setter Haraf always featured a strong defensive game and was quick on her feet.

"So I told her, why not try playing libero?," the coach said.

"I knew I was going to probably be benched if I didn't try a new position," Haraf said. "I actually learned to like libero even better than setting. Everything just clicked. I actually found it easier because I think I enjoyed playing back there so much."

Opponents don't enjoy having Haraf back there.

She consistently comes up with digs, even on their ferocious attacks.

Her 319 digs last fall are the most of any returning player in the MSL.

"It turned out to be a great move for Becca," said Nancy Lill. "She loves it now and is one of the top liberos in the state."

She is also a top student.

Haraf, who wants to play volleyball at a small Christian college, owns a 5.26 GPA on a 5.0 scale and is involved in Hersey's Service over Self program.

She plans to either study education, criminal law or sports therapy.

"I love math," said Haraf, who attended Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights from kindergarten to eighth grade.

Haraf's mother, Betsy, also walked the same hallways of CLA back when she was a student at the now closed Arlington High School.

Becca got involved in volleyball at CLA, following in the footsteps of her older sisters.

She has participated in track and field and soccer, but volleyball has always been her first love.

And switching to strictly a defensive player really enhanced her passion for the game.

"The best thing is being able to make the crazy saves," she said. "It's great to get to the balls that no one thinks you can. As a setter, you had to play great defense, too. So all the defense just came to me when I got the chance to play libero."

And it meant the chance to continue playing with her good friend, Katie Lill.

"We always have a good time on the court," Becca said. "We don't worry about making mistakes. I know I can count on her and she feels the same way about me. It just makes the game a lot of fun."