Coach: Titan volleyball is having a breakout season

Glenbrook South girls volleyball has been on the uptick in recent years. A program clearly on the move, and competitive on a consistent basis.

But this year? Another story completely. They have blown the doors off that previous foundation and are building what could be one of the best seasons in school history.

A glistening 19-1 record as of this writing, with just one slipup to Loyola in a 3-set match - a team they beat easily a couple days earlier - but other than that? Cruising. Almost every match has been in straight sets 2-0.

"We are playing at a high level, no doubt," says 7th year head coach Kelly Dorn. "This is a group of girls that is experienced, talented and have tremendous on and off court chemistry. When you combine all three of those, it makes for a pretty tough team to beat."

Experience, chemistry, and talent. No question that's three pretty solid foundations for any sports program, let alone a volleyball team, which requires the ultimate in teamwork and cohesion. Let us quickly dissect the three as it relates to this year's Titan V-ballers.

The experience comes in the form of 12 out of 14 returning starters back from last years conference and regional champions, including multiple girls that were starters last year. Only Taylor Knuth and Amanda Sutton were lost, and their spots have been ably manned by a number of up and coming young players.

The chemistry? "That has been developing with this group for years," say Coach Dorn. "They not only enjoy being on the court with each other, but they know all the nuances of each of their games. They know where they like the ball set to, they know who can do what in certain situations, and they know each other's tendencies. Little things, subtle things, but they make a big difference in competition."

Coach adds, "the chemistry they have is not only great on the court but off as well. They are all great friends, and enjoy spending time with each other."

As for the talent part of the equation, it comes not only in the form of some individual stars, and future college level players, but also in the quality depth at just about every position.

The engine and the igniter of this high powered machine is Abby Kuliga who sturdies the defense for the Titans from her back row libero position. It probably feels like (at least to CSL opponents) that she has been doing it for close to a decade now, as she has been on the varsity since her freshman year, but, no question, Kuliga, is the straw that stirs the drink. Her vocal skills, willingness to work hard, along with an intense competitive desire helps to give the team the extra lift they sometimes need and have so often shown this year.

Three juniors, who all played on varsity as sophomores have been huge impact players.

Ava Pratt is the most dangerous among them, an electric outside hitter, who can at times simply dominate opponents. "Every other team game plans against us, first and foremost, to stop Ava," say coach paying her junior star the ultimate complement and adding, "she has been a starter since her freshman year, and now, with her entire skill set, Ava has become one of the top players in the entire state." Only a junior, Pratt has already committed to Northwestern University, a highly competitive Big Ten volleyball program.

Also, up front and doing serious damage is Caroline Crawford, a middle hitter impact blocker, with the athleticism and skill to provide offensive punch from the middle spot. "Caroline has also been on the varsity since her freshman year," says Coach Dorn, "and has got to the point where I have no doubt down the road she will be a D-1 college volleyball player. She is that good."

The third junior on the front lines is Caroline Brooks, a rapidly improving outside hitter, who adds yet another weapon in the Titan arsenal. "Caroline is really coming into her own says coach, "she is opening up her game now and really starting to display all of her skills, which is exciting to see!"

None of the offensive spikes and kills happen without the benefit of a good setter, a table setter if you will, and that role is filled by two players, senior Rachel Eshoo and junior Julie Frankewitz. Eshoo, athletic and another vocal leader (if tension runs to high, Eshoo is usually the one to keep things loose and get everybody smiling), started last year and gets the majority of the playing times, but Frankewitz, who always plays smart and under control, provides that quality depth that makes this Titan team so dangerous.

Add in a quality back up at the libero spot (also known as "Kuliga insurance") provided by senior Ambria Olds, "good enough to start for many other teams," says her coach, and a relative newcomer to the sport of volleyball, in junior Bella Pehar, a track and field high jump and long jumper, who is using those skills to become an impact volleyball player as well, and you start to see the reason for the 19-1 record and the #7 ranking.

Kendall Hackett, Caitlin Riordan, Olivia Willits, Haylie Madsen, Kristin Noard, and Olivia Van Kooten complete the roster, and they have all had their moments to shine during the course of the season.

Dorn credits her coaching staff, and the consistency they have shown with being a big part of the success they have had. Assistant varsity and JV coach Tori Kelleher ("she is amazing says Dorn, does so much for us and has been with me here in the program all 7 years"), along with Eric Krzyzna, Diana Carpenter, and Bob Hopkins. They are all key components of the program, and bad news for opposing schools anticipating a downturn in Titan volleyball after this year-the Titans sport solid winning records on all levels, so more fun to come in the future for the blue and gold volleyball contingent.

"We have a really strong volleyball community here in Glenview," says coach, "the kids love playing, the parents are very supportive, we have some great club programs, and our junior highs and grade schools are very supportive as well. It is a big commitment, because volleyball has become a near year round commitment, but fortunately we have girls that have bought in, and put in the work."

The season is far from over, and the Titans definitely don't want "19-1" to be the highlight of the season. Starting tomorrow they will compete in one of the most prestigious tournaments in the entire suburban area, The Pumpkin Invitational, to be held at Maine West High School and, after that, they will work on wrapping up another CSL conference championship.

Then the piece de resistance of the entire season, the state playoffs. The Titans as one of the top seeds, will be hunted by the many others looking for the big upset, so it won't be easy.

Last year, they won a regional championship and made it all the way to the sectional finals. Can they take that next step this year and make it to the supersectionals and to the state finals?

Stay tuned. Either way, it should be a pretty exciting ride.

• Jon Cohn of Glenview is a coach, retired PE teacher, sports official and prep sports fan. To contact him with comments or story ideas, email jcsportsandtees@aol.com.