by Don Watson
The Kaneland volleyball team has turned a new leaf as it enters the 1997 season in the Suburban Prairie Conference White Division--with virtually all new faces, a new coach, a buoyant confidence and a reachable goal.
With this combination, this team looks to put an end to Kaneland's role as the doormat of the conference White Division. In the first two years of play in the newly formed conference, Kaneland was 2-6 and 1-9. New Head Coach Cyndi Violett is excited about her new position and the team's potential. As Kaneland's sophomore volleyball coach for the past two years, she has coached all of the current 15-member varsity squad at least one year. She knows her players and they know her.
There are seven returning varsity players, but only one saw extensive court time last year. Three who saw limited play opted to participate in off-season competition and are expected to be strong contributors to this team's overall play.
The eight juniors making up the balance of the squad will give Kaneland an overall mixture of good size and athleticism. With this formula, the new Knights have set their sights on finishing at the top of the conference. Morris, they feel, will be their only obstacle.
In the all-important setting role, the die is cast for juniors Mandy Piscitelli and Stacy Lettow: good hands, good size. In the middle front there will be 5-foot-11 junior Addie Sauber, 5-foot-11 senior Shelley Behrens, 5-foot-11 junior Deb Lang, and 6-foot senior Karen Pool. This adds up to good size and power, and average jump and lateral movement.
At left strong side hitting, seniors April App, Amy Dalton, Michelle Smith--and possibly Pool-- will fill the bill. At right strong side blocking, the team will do well with juniors Lisa Dalton and Lettow, along with senior Kristen Haidle and some fill-in by Amy Dalton.
The back row defense will be in the hands of senior Mary Richardson and junior Ashley Peterson, with strong support from juniors Julie Thomas and Danielle MacAdam. All have good lateral movement and are good on digs.
All this will set them in good stead as they face their competition. Sycamore (8-2 in '96) lost its two 5-foot-10 All-conference hitters, but will come back with a 6-foot junior and a full squad of players with off-season club experience. Geneva (7-3) graduated two of its All-conference power hitters, but still has All-conference 5-foot-11 power hitter Jacquie Discipio and a team full of club players.
Morris (7-3) lost two 6-0 All-conference hitters and its All-conference setter, but will retain 6-1 All-conference Laney Pellegrini. Yorkville (4-6) is without its All-conference setter and two 6-0 middles. Height may be a problem, but they are eight deep with club players.
IMSA (3-7) graduated All-conference 5-foot-10 "Miss Everything" Natasha Rodgers. They will struggle to replace her.
Kaneland will face this competition with solid talent, good size and skills, and strong athleticism--winning ingredients when added to the girls' high spirits as the 1997 volleyball season begins.
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