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PrintHigh hopes for North volleyball
The Woodstock North High School volleyball team has high expectations this fall. The team struggled last season and finished 4-30, but the Thunder are returning five starters and believe they have what it takes to improve.
“The team is stepping up a lot this year,” said senior libero Kaitlin Chamberlain. “We need to make sure they continue to step up, and in every practice and game, they are trying their best. This year has been a big improvement.”
Returning starters include seniors Sam Abbate, Samantha Ahr, Jennifer Conley and Chamberlain; and junior Josie Lindsey-Robbins. Seniors Paige Busch and Zoe Klay and junior Manda Landrey will rotate into the starting lineup, according WNHS head coach Greg Bruns.
Lindsey-Robbins said knowing each other will help bring the team together.
“I think this year we are going to be a lot more united,” Lindsey-Robbins said. “This year all of our starters but one are returners, and we should all know what to do since we have played together.”
Bruns said he has seen a definite improvement over last year and knows the experience they have with each other will be beneficial.
“They have really worked on their defense,” Bruns said. “Our blocking is improved and our hitting is getting stronger.
Bruns said the team needs to work on its consistency and running a faster offense.
“They need to get the timing down between the hitters and the setters,” he said.
The captains for the team are Abbate, Chamberlain and Klay.
Bruns said his goals for the team include being more competitive in the Fox Valley Conference but, most importantly, to continue improving.
“They need to improve every match and play well as a team,” he said.
For Chamberlain, the goal is to become the first team from WNHS to win a regional championship.
“I definitely want to win more games than last year,” Chamberlain said. “I think we’ll get that as we have a lot more experience this year with each other and the game. I really want to win a regional championship.”
The rest of the roster includes seniors Amy Kierna and Kailey Parlogean; and juniors Casey Gavers, Emily Andrychowski, Stephanie Tapia, Samantha Major, Alyssa Meyer, Rebecca Molve, Sophie Walsh, Alexandra Marks, Eden Powell and Rachel Stout.
