Sweet 16 join MVP
By MARK JOHNSON
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mjohnson@morrisdailyherald.com
Two Morris Daily Herald area varsity girls volleyball teams finished well above .500 this season, and another was one win below the barrier but had arguably its best season ever.
Coal City was an area-best 27-10 this fall, which was part of the reason the Lady Coalers had senior Jessica Polakovic named the 2009 MDH All-Area Most Valuable Player. They were not alone in having success in 2009, as Minooka went 22-11 and Gardner-South Wilmington was 13-14 overall and 7-6 in the River Valley Conference.
Morris and Seneca also had highs to go with their lows. The area's top individuals from those five teams join Polakovic on the 2009 All-Area team, which has 17 members.
Dariyan Hopper, Minooka
Junior outside hitter
An All-Conference selection in the Southwest Prairie, Hopper turned in an area-high 260 kills and had 40 solo blocked kills among her total of 104. She served up 442 points, which was second among the Indians, and had 28 aces, along with 145 digs and a single assist. Hopper was All-Tournament at the Minooka tourney.
"Dariyan could be the best player to come through Minooka in the past 10 years," said Minooka coach Jill Nehring. "With her senior year to go, she is giving Melanie Ukovich a run for that spot. She is a powerhouse on the outside and a tremendous defensive player. She is an all around great player. She will likely go Division 1 on a full ride."
Amber Eisha, GSW
Senior middle hitter
One of three Lady Panthers co-captains, Eisha compiled team highs in kills with 124, blocks with 33, service points with 167, aces with 87 and digs with 161. She added 15 assists, was a first-team All-River Valley Conference selection and was named All-Tournament at Watseka.
"She is a powerful middle hitter and played all around," said GSW coach Carrie Claudnic. "Her serve was a powerful tool for us throughout the season. Over 50 percent of her service points were aces."
Kellee Mahaffay, Coal City
Senior outside hitter
Mahaffay had a Coal City-high 255 kills this season. Her other season totals included 49 blocks, 110 points, 28 aces and 230 digs. She was All-Tournament at the Manteno Classic.
"Kelllee is a very talented hitter and defensive player," said Coal City coach Gina Horrie. "She is also a very hard worker."
Hali Steffes, Morris
Senior outside hitter
The Redskins voted Steffes their most valuable player this season. She led them in aces with 29, was second among them in digs with 105 and third in both kills with 78 and blocked kills with 24. Steffes was a second-team All-North Central Illinois Conference selection.
"Hali is the type of player that every coach wishes they had on their team," said Morris coach Jackie Litwiller. "She has an amazing vertical jump that allows her a little extra hang time when it comes to attacking the ball. She is aggressive and has the desire to do her best every time she steps out on the floor."
Jacki Kaluzny, Minooka
Senior outside hitter
The Indians chose Kaluzny as a co-captain, and she justified that on the court with 82 kills, 57 total blocks, 501 points, 36 aces, 162 digs and 2 assists. A third-year varsity player, Kaluzny was chosen All-SPC.
"Jacki is also a solid all-around player. Jacki is a hard worker. She leads by example. Jacki always gives 100 percent in the gym."
Alexa Rezin, Morris
Senior setter
Like Steffes, Rezin was second-team All-NCIC. She was a co-captain and was awarded the Coaches' Choice Award in the Morris program. In playing every game of every match during the season, Rezin finished first among the Redskins with 319 assists and third among them in digs with 84.
"Alexa is a true setter," said Litwiller. "She ran a 5-1 all season long and has wonderful court awareness. She did not always get the credit that she deserved but was a critical player on our team this season. She was excellent of knowing where the other team was not and could place the ball exactly where she wanted it to go with almost 100 percent accuracy."
Alanna Viken, Seneca
Junior outside hitter
Though Viken was a newcomer to starting on the varsity, she led the Lady Irish with 124 kills, 120 service points and 204 digs. She also blocked 13 kills and served up 22 aces and was selected to the All-Interstate 8 Conference team.
"She is an outside hitter and plays all the way around," said Seneca coach Karen Raney. "Alanna is extremely receptive to instruction during practices and matches. She has an innate drive to be the best she can in every sport that she participates in at Seneca High School."
Corinne Benson, Coal City
Senior libero
In racking up 184 points and 18 aces this season, Benson recorded a .986 serving percentage. She was a co-captain, and her 229 digs were one away from the team lead.
"Corinne is a great server and defensive player," said Horrie. "She also has a great work ethic and is a great captain."
Kayla Kellogg, GSW
Senior setter
Kellogg led the Lady Panthers in assists with 170 while sharing captain duties. Her 39 aces ranked second on the team, and her 119 total service points were third. She added two kills and 62 digs and was an honorable mention choice to the All-RVC team.
"Kayla is our starting back row setter and contributed 60 percent of the team's assists," said Claudnic. "Kayla is a key part of our offense."
Kendall Korte, Morris
Freshman outside hitter
By the fourth match and second tournament of the season, Korte was moved up to the varsity level, and she never went back. Her total of 112 kills led the team.
"Played a huge role in winning our first conference win in two years," said Litwiller. "She played outside, right side and even had a moment playing middle. She played front and back row and was a huge contributor on defense. She is going to be someone to keep an eye on in the future. We are looking forward to the contributions she will make the next few seasons. She is a spark that adds an exciting element on the court."
Megan McMillin, Minooka
Senior libero
McMillin was a co-captain and All-SPC selection in her second year on the varsity. Her season totals included 348 points, 23 aces, 142 digs, five kills and three assists.
"Megan was a definite part of our success this season," said Nehring. "She is a scrappy player who was great at reading the hitters. Megan passed nails on many balls that I thought were down."
Brittany Halliday, Coal City
Junior setter
Halliday led the Lady Coalers in assists with 390 and service points with 199. She also turned in 57 kills, 17 blocks and 28 aces.
"She is one of the hardest workers I've ever coached," said Horrie.
San Foley, GSW
Senior outside hitter
Another Lady Panthers co-captain, Foley was second among them with 132 service points. Her other season totals were 40 kills, three blocked kills, 30 aces, 40 digs and three assists.
"Sam is an outside hitter who plays front row and only serves in the back row," said Claudnic.
Stacey Perinar, Minooka
Sophomore middle hitter
In her second varsity season, Perinar finished second among the Indians in kills with 123 and in blocked kills with 83, 25 of which were solo. She also had 601 points, 55 aces, 29 digs and two assists.
"Stacey is versatile player who played right side for us last year and was moved to the middle this year because that was where we needed someone," said Nehring. "Stacey’s jump serve is what really stands out to most people. She is deadly with that when she is on."
Taelor Coughlin, Seneca
Senior defensive specialist
Coughlin finished second among the Lady Irish with 161 digs. Her other totals included three kills, 118 points and 11 aces.
"Taelor’s second half of the season was outstanding," said Raney. "She has a natural instinct to anticipate where the ball is going. She also improved on her serving zones which made her an offensive threat. Both Taelor and Alanna [Viken] are pleasant to coach because of their strong work ethic."
Kelsey Lutz, GSW
Senior outside hitter
Only one Lady Panther exceeded the 125 digs that Lutz compiled during the season. She also had 32 kills, six blocks, 68 service points, 15 aces and six assists.
"Kelsey is an outside hitter and plays all the way around," said Claudnic. "She developed in to a key digger in the back row."
Honorable mention
Coal City: Tabitha Spelde, senior outside hitter. GSW: Missy Gretz, senior libero. Minooka: Emily Benkovich, senior setter; Megan Singletary, senior setter. Morris: Laura Wills, senior middle hitter. Seneca: Coley Baker, junior middle hitter; Nicole Pihl, freshman outside hitter.
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