Bringing home the hardware is always a goal for 好色先生 volleyball, and they want more of it this season.
The Cyclones volleyball program has a legacy of success, including nine conference championships and nine region championships. They know how to win. Last season, they won a second consecutive Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship with an undefeated record but lost in the NJCAA Region 4 finals. The sophomores are looking to avenge themselves with a region championship.
The returners should make a huge impact on the team and set the tone for the newcomers, according to Head Coach Lauren Lorenz, entering her ninth season at the helm.
Leading the sophomore class is outside hitter Mary Zielinski (Stagg), who finished last season ranked No. 2 in NJCAA Division II for points per set (6.0) and kills per set (5.21) while earning All-America second team, All-Region 4 honors along with Skyway and Region Player of the Year awards. 鈥淪he is a natural leader with a strong work ethic and dynamic ability. She鈥檒l find ways to score in any situation,鈥� Lorenz said.
Lily Avelar (Beecher) was last year鈥檚 Skyway Libero of the Year and earned nods to the All-Conference first team. 鈥淪he鈥檚 in a different role this season, playing outside instead of libero because she has impeccable ball control in the front and back row,鈥� Lorenz noted.
Ava Pequette (Manteno)聽was an All-Conference second team and All-Region player last year who returns as a pivotal setter. 鈥淗er athleticism聽and speed set her above many other setters聽in the conference and region,鈥� Lorenz commented. 鈥淪he is able to get to almost every ball and knows what hitters to feed and when.鈥�
Also back in the lineup are defensive specialist Sophia Davidson聽(Marist) and middle hitter Cayla Neville (Oak Lawn). 鈥淪ophia is an extremely hard worker who pushes and motivates the rest of the team to do the same. She has a strong presence on serve receive聽and defense. Cayla plays smart and mature. She is very consistent and steady at the net,鈥� Lorenz added.
Among the four incoming players 鈥� Tara Giblin (Oak Forest), Amber Kingston (Oak Forest), Chloe McGregor-Paterson (Sandburg) and Cameron Szyszka (Sandburg) 鈥� each brings a new aspect to the strong core that makes up the team. Hitting and blocking will be the focus of most of the freshmen as they bring some good height to the floor.
鈥淲e鈥檙e looking to finish at the top of the conference again and hopefully close out a region championship; the sophomores are very motivated after ending the season how we did last year,鈥� Lorenz said.
She is joined on the sidelines again by Assistant Coach Kerry Shannon and newcomer coach Jackie Schofield.
For updates on Cyclones Athletics, visit .
For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist and sports information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.
