College volleyball: Harper ready for home debut
After going 2-1 Saturday at the Waubonsee tournament, the Harper women's volleyball team takes to the court Tuesday at the renovated Sports and Wellness Center for the first time this season.
That match will also be a North Central College Conference opener as Harper meets Joliet Junior College.
The Hawks have advanced to the NJCAA national championship match the last two seasons, and were winners in 2016.
Coaches have taken note, as evidenced by Harper's No. 2 ranking in this year's preseason polling. The Hawks have been ranked in the top 10 of every NJCAA Division III poll for the last seven seasons.
The 2018 Hawks will be a young squad. Five players from last year's 37-6 national runner-up team return. Two of them - Karolina Sas and Mackenzie Bush - will see time in coach Bob Vilsoet's starting rotation, and both will be adjusting to a position change.
A libero last year, Sas is now the defensive specialist. And Bush will be moved from middle hitter to the outside hitter spot.
Hoffman Estates graduate Lydia Schiller will take over the middle spot previously occupied by Bush.
Angelina Nichols (Christian Liberty) will be the other new middle, joining Gabby Fugle (Wauconda).
"Both Gabby and Angie are true outside hitters that will be pressed into duty in the middle," Vilsoet said.
Clearly, Harper will miss Palatine alum Sarah Udoni. She was a key piece in the Hawks' success and earned All-American honors last season.
Setters in Vilsoet's offense have accumulated 1,500 or more assists the last two seasons before moving on to play at four-year schools. This season the setting will be handled by freshman Kathleen Gueco. The Hoffman Estates alum was a late addition to the 2018 recuriting class, and Vilsoet says the team is fortunate to have her aboard.
A pair of Upstate Eight Conference alums will be asked to play key roles. Freshman Ashley Rothenberg (Streamwood) earned a Daily Herald All-Area special mention two years ago. The Hawks' veteran coach likes her versatility, as she can play both middle and right-side.
Kyla Daczewitz is another freshman of note, along with Carlene Colton.
Teams that make deep runs the national tournament rely upon players who can compete at multiple positions. Vilsoet asked Fugle to be that player last year.
"Gabby has significant experience," said Vilsoet, citing her 114 sets played.