Back to school

It's a stretch calling a pair of 20-something sisters "old-school," but the Naperville Central girls water polo coaching staff does have a slightly retro feel.

Former prep and college standouts Nikki and Haley Nelson have indeed returned to their old school. Redhawks coach Jeff Plackett employs them as assistants.

"It's like old times," said 13-year coach Plackett, whose 7-4 Redhawks lost 10-6 Wednesday at Naperville North, ranked No. 1 in the state by illpolo.com. Naperville Central is No. 9.

Nikki Nelson, a research analyst for the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in Rosemont, was a three-time all-state Redhawk who played at Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania, its team captain as a senior.

Younger sister Haley is a math teacher at Eisenhower Junior High in Darien. She is a former All-American at Naperville Central who played two years with Nikki at Mercyhurst before transferring to Eastern Illinois to gain her teaching degree.

The junior varsity coach, Haley is in her third season with the Redhawks counting 2013 as a volunteer, and in two seasons her JV squad remains unbeaten. Nikki started compiling match statistics last season at her sister's request and has moved into a more formal role.

"I help out wherever they need me. I volunteer, so they just tell me where to go," Nikki Nelson said.

"I was able to do it all through high school and college, so it's great to be a part of it again and be able to teach these girls something I enjoyed," she said.

It works because in addition to being sisters they are lifelong pals. Like many Millennials they still live at home (though a younger sister, Andi, lives and works in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood), they enjoyed playing and coaching together, which they did first years ago at a Naperville pool.

They also respect their high school program and Plackett, who has directed four top-four state finishes since 2008.

"I absolutely love working for my alma mater," Haley said. "It's an unbelievable program that Jeff has helped build. It's awesome to be part of it and to learn from him and all of his ideas."

It's a good deal for Plackett. The Nelsons are positive examples of success but mentors more than poster girls. Being young and female they can connect to the roster in different ways than he can. The fitness level they've maintained allows them to literally jump right in and show the high schoolers first hand what Plackett called "some of the tactical stuff."

"I think they benefit from it and actually enjoy it," Nikki said. "It's just a different way of learning."

What goes on above the surface is just the tip of the iceberg. Much of the action below is not for the fainthearted; at advanced levels, at least, water polo resembles underwater mixed martial arts. These competitive sisters thrived on the physicality.

"I know a lot of former high school water polo players who wanted to have absolutely nothing to do with Nikki and Haley in the water," Plackett said.

Stamina and positioning aside, their combined five high school all-state honors attests they also understood the X's and O's. This is a new and fun aspect for them as coaches. The Nelsons brainstorm with each other and with Plackett on tweaking strategy.

"We're focusing on rotating the hole set and working people in and out of the center of the pool," said Haley, noting one recent adjustment that worked. "It benefits the strength of our team."

Over his tenure as Redhawks girls coach Plackett said he'd lost four assistant coaches to family commitments, namely women starting families. That may be inevitable, but Plackett said he "could not be more optimistic about the future of the program" with them in it.

Both women retain their passion for the sport and their loyalty toward their old program and coach. They've also got another sister who looks to play, Jodie, an eighth-grader at Naperville's Lincoln Junior High. That should also keep them around.

"I see myself (there) in the long run," Haley said. "I'm comfortable with where I'm teaching school-wise, so I'm able to commute and make all the games and practices. I couldn't see myself not doing it."

The Luke report

Last week we received an anonymous email message of The State Journal-Register's account of former Waubonsie Valley football superstar R.J. Luke resigning as football coach and physical education teacher at Springfield High School in March.

That was a great excuse to contact his father, B.J., an old favorite. The elder Luke, who coached football at Waubonsie Valley from 1988-2004, has since helped spark somewhat of a renaissance at Danville High in his hometown, along with his brother and Danville boys track coach, Steve Luke.

B.J. Luke said the "driving force" of R.J.'s resignation was to return to the area R.J.'s wife grew up in around Atlanta. R.J. actually once was an assistant prep football coach in Georgia, as the Journal-Register pointed out. He has yet to latch on to a prep program, moving too late to coach in the spring season they have down south.

"Hopefully it'll be a good move for the family," said B.J., who now has four grandchildren.

R.J. Luke went 10-18 in his three seasons at Springfield with a playoff appearance in 2012. Playing for his dad at Waubonsie Valley from 1995-97 he graduated as Illinois' all-time leader in receptions and receiving yardage.

Odds and ends

Waubonsie Valley's girls soccer team rose three spots since last week in the Top Drawer Soccer/SIMA Fab 50. The Warriors, 5-0-1 as of Tuesday's 2-0 win over West Aurora, rose to sixth from ninth nationally according to the service.

The Fab 50 also includes Naperville North at No. 49. New Trier stands as Top Drawer's No. 2 team in the country behind Harrison of Georgia.

Basketball concluded a bit ago, but it's always nice to deliver good news. The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association named a number of DuPage County folks in its annual coach of the year selections.

Neuqua Valley's Mike Williams and Benet's Joe Kilbride earned the honor in Class 4A, Glenbard South's Julie Fonda and Montini's Jason Nichols in 3A. IC Catholic Prep's Aubree Schuett was among the 2A girls coaches of the year.

Neuqua Valley made it a boys-girls sweep with Todd Sutton earning a 4A IBCA boys coach of the year award. He was joined by Lake Park's Josh Virostko and Hinsdale Central's Nick Latorre.

Lisle boys coach Mark LaScala is hopefully a season away from something like this. If nothing else he can discuss it with older brother Phil, who won a 4A award coaching the Lake Forest boys.

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

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