鈥淚鈥檓 very excited about this season; that鈥檚 not just words I鈥檓 using,鈥� said Head Coach Delwyn Jones, entering his 26^th year leading the program. 鈥淲e had a good team last year; we just had trouble with rebounding and getting in the paint. With additional transfers and freshmen to go along with our returning talented sophomores, we should be good.鈥�

Returning leaders are 5-10 forward Jadea Johnson (Romeoville) and 5-10 guard/forward Shakila Brownlow (Bremen). Johnson scored the second highest number of points in Cyclones history last season, ranking No. 3 in the NJCAA Division II for field goals and earning All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and All-Region 4 first team honors. Brownlow earned All-Conference and All-Region second team honors.

鈥淟ast year, those two had to sacrifice to play at the post because of where we needed players on the court. With talented post players coming in, these two will play more on the perimeter and make us tougher. They will be dangerous,鈥� Jones explained. 鈥淎ny time you can take your center and power forward from last year鈥檚 team and put them in guard spots and then add more size, it鈥檚 going to be an upgrade.鈥�

Adding some size and grit to the squad is 6-1 center transfer Mikayla Summey (Andrew) and 6-0 forward/center Kyziah Lewis (Evergreen Park). Summey brings skilled presence offensively and defensively while Lewis adds her abilities in the post. 鈥淢ikayla is more skilled than I thought, and Lewis is very adept around the basket, can shoot from the outside and handle the ball like a guard,鈥� Jones noted.

Another transfer guard, Laila Houseworth (5-10/Romeoville) can shoot from the three-point line and is one of the best passers Jones has seen along with three-point shooting sophomore guard Lily Hernandez (5-4/Reavis).

Jones is expecting big things from sophomore guard Isabel Lopez (5-9/Reavis), who he said is an exceptional shooter and even more productive from the three-point line. Versatile 5-9 forward freshman Danielle Dempsey (Oak Lawn) has the talent to be a threat once she builds confidence throughout the season. 鈥淚 knew she was good at Oak Lawn. She鈥檚 shown her ability to do so much 鈥� shoot from the perimeter, rebound, defend and run the floor well,鈥� Jones said.

Sophomore guard Sam Cortez (5-6/Bremen) can heat up the floor with her three-point shooting while freshman guard Miracle Shelton (5-5/Richards) joined the team late but is finding her groove with the team.

In December, 5-8 sophomore guard Mariah Robinson (Bishop Noll) and 5-9 freshman forward Trajany Walker (Naperville North) will join the squad. Robinson is the consummate team player with energy and skill from the three-point line while Walker is versatile and can play any position on the court.

鈥淥ur hopes are to be extremely competitive in this region with a chance to go to nationals. We think we can compete with the talent we have. Our conference is always tough, but we鈥檙e confident we鈥檒l be at the top this year,鈥� Jones stated. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to the region tournament because we have the talent. We have great young women athletes who鈥檝e worked hard so far and deserve the success I鈥檓 expecting.鈥�

Joining Jones on the sidelines are returning assistant coaches Arlena Roach and Erin Drynan.

The Cyclones open their regular season at Danville Area Community College on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. For updates on Cyclones Athletics, visit mvcyclones.com.

For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist and sports information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.

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The Paramedic Program will culminate in an Advanced Certificate and can be completed in as little as one year. Moraine Valley students also can complete an Associate in Applied Science Degree in EMS in conjunction with earning their Advanced Certificate to broaden their marketability.

While an EMT can complete a variety of assessments and tasks, including patient assessment, trauma treatments, oxygen and airway administration and medication administration, paramedics can perform a wider scope of treatments. Licensed paramedics interpret EKGs, deliver over 80 medications, perform advanced airway maneuvers, start IVs and more.

The program has been years in the making and fulfills a need in the community for trained first responders. 鈥淚t is kind of unheard of to have a standalone paramedic program because even when [these programs] are through a community college, they are actually run by the system hospitals. So, we鈥檙e kind of unique in that,鈥� shared Sheila Moran, EMS instructor.

To apply for the program, an individual must be a licensed EMT and complete an online application process. Accepted applications are evaluated, and a select number of applicants are invited to interview for the program. Thirty students are accepted per yearly program; all seats for the 2026 inaugural cohort already are filled, but applications for the next cohort will be accepted beginning in the fall 26 semester.

Moran explained that because firefighters are required to be licensed paramedics, many of those who become paramedics are pursuing a career in firefighting. She shared that fire departments actively are seeking qualified candidates, adding, 鈥淓very single fire department in Moraine Valley鈥檚 district is a precepting site.鈥� As a result, the college can provide hands-on learning and experiences students need to start a stable, in-demand career following graduation.

Kristy Suriano, adjunct EMS instructor, shared, 鈥淭here will always be the fire service, and the beautiful thing about the fire service, as well as other state jobs, is there is a pension at the end of the road, so financial stability is huge.鈥� Suriano also mentioned that becoming a licensed paramedic can open the door to possibilities for hands-on learning, 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to really be able to touch everybody鈥檚 educational needs. At the end of the day, I want to put out competent and confident individuals 鈥� and that鈥檚 what we鈥檙e going to do.鈥�

Both Moran and Suriano shared that they hope to expand the program in the future to provide more opportunities for students to pursue becoming licensed paramedics.

For news media inquiries, contact Madisson Younglove, Moraine Valley assistant director of Communications, at (708) 974-5281 or younglovem2@morainevalley.edu.

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