Girls volleyball reaches high

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Olivia Kudla, Sports Writer

This season the girls’ varsity volleyball team has high hopes of a winning season ending with success at regionals.

Their goals are to “win seventy percent of our matches, place top two in conference and win a regional title,” Eric Vogt, head coach, said.

Not only is volleyball mainly a team sport, but each athlete has a set of their own personal goals to better the team.

“My main goal is to leave my team and program better than how it was when I came in,” Elizabeth Hyland, senior outside hitter said.

Challenges and how a team overcomes them can determine how successful a team ends up being.

“The major obstacles will be the ability for the team and me to keep our goal in mind, which is winning regionals. I feel like we as a team tend to take losses too hard and carry it on to the next game, so we’ll have to just find a way to push through the losses,” Renata Mendez, senior, said.

The team has a lot of great athletes, but there are a few who really excel in their position.

“Elizabeth Hyland (outside hitter) is our most dominate point scorer, Erin Eulitz (outside hitter) has developed into a big offensive weapon for us. Ashley Shook (setter) is one of the most dynamic setters in the state with the power to score at will when she is on the net,” Vogt said.

Being a part of a team can develop a lot of great memories.

“The team dinners, the Minooka game last year when the score was 36-34, and the Neuqua Valley regional semifinal game were some of my best memories,” Erin Eulitz, junior, said.

Vogt has been the volleyball coach for eight years and has had many proud moments.

“Last year we hosted a “Dig Pink” event with Plainfield North. We ended up winning in 3 sets in a really close match. The girls played very aggressively and we raised $1,000 for cancer research. Can’t beat that!” Vogt said.

The team can almost become like a second family to some.

“I like the fact that volleyball is a team sport and I know that no matter how hard I hit the ground, physically and mentally, I’ll always have my teammates to pick me up,” Mendez said.

A lot of the girls on the team have been playing volleyball for more than just their high school years and some plan on playing past them.

“I have been playing since fifth grade, but I have two older sisters so I would tag along to their tournaments when I was little. I will be playing at Lewis University,” Hyland said.

Vogt would love any support the student body is willing to give.

“Our group will be special this year and I think everyone should try to come to at least a match. We have several athletes in the program that will go on to play college volleyball and they would love the support,” Vogt said.