Stevenson outside hitter Abby Inman’s taking her game to another level

Stevenson outside hitter Abby Inman was already one of the best players in Lake County last season.

Inman wasn’t quite satisfied with that, however.

“The second my junior season ended, I was already working out at my school gym, which has a huge facility,” she said. “I went to private lessons with coaches from Sky High volleyball club. I made the elite team. It definitely helped me prepare for my senior season.”

The 5-foot-11 Inman made that clear over the summer, according to Stevenson coach Tim Crow.

“She just dominated in summer league play and looked like one of the best players on the court,” Crow said.

A dominant Inman could make the Patriots (24-13, 6-1), who finished second in the North Suburban Conference and advanced to the Class 4A sectional semifinals last year, even better. She had 328 kills and 270 digs last season, when she was an all-conference pick and all-state honorable mention.

Inman also was a team captain for the first time, which was valuable experience that further prepared her for her third varsity season.

“I already knew how most of the practices ran and what the team needed to focus on when we were struggling,” she said. “I also was given a chance to lead the team on the court and be the voice of what encouragement and help was needed.

“I had never been a captain on a team or club at all. I learned that being a leader is not about being the loudest or the best, but rather about how can you help everyone else succeed and how can you show up for your team.”

Inman has a knack for showing up when the Patriots need her the most, according to senior right-side hitter Audri Linnane.

“Abigail is very reliable,” Linnane said. “During pressure situations, the team is able to count on her to put the ball away.

“She is a very aggressive player and has many shots, which really elevates her game. Her placement is very smart, and her power while hitting has improved significantly, making her such a key player. She is a very important part of the team.”

The team is important to Inman, who played tennis for five years when she was a kid. She shifted her attention to volleyball in seventh grade.

“I loved the fact that volleyball was a team sport,” Inman said. “Tennis is a solo sport, so I always wished to be on a big team with a bunch of girls. I love the friendships I have made from playing volleyball. I also love the competitiveness of the sport.”

Inman played on Stevenson’s freshman A team when she started high school. Expanding her game as she adapted to a different environment, she became a six-rotation outside hitter.

“My goal used to be to hit the ball as hard as possible,” she said. “But going into that school volleyball setting, I realized the goal is to win. So I started to tip and roll-shot balls more often to end a rally and put my team in a better position to win.”

Even as a freshman, Inman had certain qualities that impressed Crow.

“We knew Abby was a gamer in her freshman year,” Crow said. “Her focus was really good, and she still remains one of the most focused players on the court today.”

That’s one reason why Inman keeps getting better.

“Abby has really improved a ton each and every year,” Crow said. “She is looking really good.”