Haws draws applause

At some point in the match, Libertyville volleyball coach Chris Trzyna will turn to senior Ali Haws and tell her, "A Haws, you need to dominate."

During the state playoffs, especially, this is just what Haws has done. Haws, a 5-foot-10 senior middle blocker, had 9 kills and 7 blocks on Monday to lead Libertyville to a 21-25, 25-19, 25-17 victory over Maine South in a Class 4A supersectional at Hersey.

This is the first trip down state for the Libertyville volleyball program. Haws, who had 223 kills, 73 blocks and 31 aces during the regular season, is the captain of the Daily Herald's all-area volleyball team.

"She has truly dominated in the state playoffs," Trzyna said. "Her desire and determination has taken her game to the next level."

Down the stretch against Hersey, Haws simply demanded the ball. Haws came through with 11 kills in a sectional final victory over Schaumburg and 9 kills when the Wildcats dispatched Conant in the semifinals.

"Ali just keeps picking up her intensity," said senior libero Emma Melendez, who is pretty intense in her own right. "I just love it when she's in the front row yelling and cheering. It makes me even more pumped up."

Haws enjoys the pressure of performing when Libertyville needs her the most.

"I like to think I do well in those situations," she said. "I'm one of the smaller middles and at first it was intimidating looking up at girls who are taller than my dad, but I block that out now. I love the competition."

Haws' play this season is more impressive when you factor in that she is a three-sport athlete who does not play club volleyball.

Just last year she was a reserve on Libertyville's sectional title team. She said she learned a lot from observing Libertyville's seniors.

"It was definitely a pleasant surprise just to make the varsity," Haws said. "I didn't play a lot, but watching all those games prepped me for this year."

Haws was busy with basketball in the winter and softball in the spring, but she attacked volleyball over the summer. She seemed to improve with each day, and by the time the season started she had become an impact player.

With each match, she made more and more of an impression on her teammates and coaching staff.

"We knew she was extremely athletic from last year," assistant coach Patti Mascia said. "Her skills have caught up with her (athleticism). She's grasping the game and playing at a high level. She's gotten so much more vocal, and her competitiveness has helped make her a great player."

Haws said the biggest reason for her development is senior setter Erin DeMarco. DeMarco is one of the state's top setters and is extremely knowledgeable about the game.

"Erin is always giving me pointers and helping me out," Haws said. "That has been a (key) to my improvement. Whenever I need advice I go to her."

Haws said this season will be hard to duplicate.

"This is the most fun I've had playing on any team," she said.

Haws said she's enjoyed having her four younger sisters in the stands for most matches.

"They're the super fans," she said. "They come to the games with Pom Poms and are all decked out. They dance during timeouts and it's really funny."

Haws plans on studying business at the University of Minnesota, so the state tournament will likely be the last competitive volleyball she plays.

Haws is not overly superstitious, but she likes to listen to music before matches. That means this weekend she will probably break out some ABBA.

"I'm not going to lie," she said. "I listen to 'Dancing Queen.' "

Haws has earned the right this season to listen to anything she wants.

Although her basketball and softball teammates might have something to say about that.