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| Scholastic Sports & RecSunday, August 31, 2008 11:08 PM CDT |
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Volleyball preview: BHS looking to set Heckelman up for success
There is no question what Kasey Heckelman will do to volleyballs within her reach. The questions for Bloomington High School this season are who will get her the ball and how often. “She has come a long way as far as attacking goes,” said Coach Joe Sanders, who considers the 6-foot-2 Louisville recruit the best blocker he has coached. Heckelman and fellow BHS senior Alli Kirk earned All-American honors at two major summer tournaments while playing for the Illini Elite Volleyball Club’s AAU national championship squad. Kirk, a libero bound for Oakland (Mich.), may have to set this fall as BHS attempts to replace Kristin Stauter, now at Illinois State. Sanders will keep Kirk at libero if sophomore Alina Agamy or freshman Emily Burger can handle the setting. “I’m not sure how it will turn out,” said Sanders, who returns six key players from last year’s 33-5 squad which won Intercity and Big 12 Conference titles. The Purple Raiders’ six returning starters include outside hitters Lauren Seyller, Jessica Spence and Rachel Soltwedel and defensive specialist Bethany Baker. Others who could see playing time are middle blocker Vanessa Coleman and defensive specialist Lauren Winkeler. “We’ll have to battle with teams with stronger middles,” Sanders said. Normal Community The favorite in the Intercity and Big 12 figures to be Normal Community, which is ranked 96th nationally by PrepVolleyball.com. The Ironmen, who advanced to the Class 4A Sweet Sixteen a year ago, have depth at every position including outside hitter where Illinois State recruit Jenny Menendez returns after averaging 3.6 kills. “We are really excited for the upcoming season,” said Coach Natalie Sutimek, who returns six key players. “We are a lot more experienced than last year. “We have a scrappy group of girls. They are really close, too.” The Ironmen have a 6-foot-2 junior transfer in Mackenzie Allen, another member of the Illini Elite’s AAU title team along with Menendez and University High Division I recruits Taylor Bruns (South Carolina) and Carly Schumacher (Saint Louis). “Mackenzie brings a big presence to us in the middle,” Sutimek said. “Jenny (Menendez) does everything for us. She is our best server, best passer and best defender.” Other returning starters are setters Vanessa and Jackie Gerig, outside hitters Mary Trimpe and Taylor Coughlin and middle hitter Liz Heid. Others vying for playing time are 6-1 middle hitter Jenny Ewan and setter Lindsey Freed. “I know last year when we struggled, we had a hard time getting kills,” Sutimek said. “That has been one of our big focuses. I think we should be a better offensive team because we are a year older. We were a good defensive team last year, but we want to be better.” University High Bruns and Schumacher are among five starters back from U High’s 29-7 Corn Belt Conference championship team. Bruns, Menendez and Heckelman were Pantagraph All-Area first-team picks in 2007. Other returning starters are setter Maggie Bee, libero Ashlee Sang and outside hitter Jordan Bond, a Division I college track prospect. While Schumacher recovers from a broken thumb, her spot will be manned by Haley Cook and Candice Cuppini. Anna Vaughn will see action in the back row while Valerie Nichol gets time at outside hitter. “Improving on last year’s record is something we can do,” said Coach Cathy Sanders, who believes Bruns has improved more since seventh grade than any Intercity star. “I look to her to bring a lot of energy and make things happen. She never quits on the ball. I hope that is contagious. She is setting out of the back row and hitting out of the front.” Sanders sees a lot of parity in the Intercity. “We lost to NCHS and BHS at Intercity last year,” she said. “Those are a couple matches that could have gone either way.” Central Catholic Central Catholic graduated eight seniors including All-Area star Megan Schmidt, now at Bradley. “That kind of turnover means we will be a very different team, but very promising,” said Coach Emily Kabbes. “We have a lot of great juniors and seniors who will step up for us.” Foes might get stepped on by 6-1 Saint Stephanie Buhrow. “She is a big presence in the middle for us,” Kabbes said. “She is starting to hit a pretty hard ball for us in practice.” Other returning starters are right side hitter Danielle Highland and defensive specialist Mary Joseph. Freshman Meredith Boe will likely start at setter where Kari Mysker and Jaime Baldwin are also vying for playing time. Shelby Wheeler will start at outside hitter while Jessica Conner will get playing time in the back row. Among the team goals is a Class 2A regional title and a high conference finish. “I think U High will probably be very good,” Kabbes said. Normal West Normal West’s all-junior squad will be directed by interim coach Julie Paska, a former Illinois State All-American who has coached the Wildcats’ junior varsity the past four years. She is filling for Maggie Nelson, who is helping her husband through a health problem. “Although we’ve got potential to be really good, we’ve got to come together,” said Paska, who feels she has three Division I prospects in 6-4 Melissa Turpin, 6-0 Sara Motsinger and 5-10 Erin McGinnis. “I think our blocking will be good and strong. Our deal will be if we can pass and attack.” Paska expects McGinnis to lead the team in kills. She and Motsinger are returning starters along with outside hitter Alli Stover. Other projected starters are libero Lindsey Sturm, setter Alexandra Aplington and outside hitter Erin Huddleston. “We are big,” Paska said. “We’ve got some depth in the back row for passing. I’ve been moving people to different places and they aren’t real comfortable yet.” The Wildcats move up to Class 4A after playing in 3A last year. “Winning our regional is a definite goal,” Paska said. “Our team goal is to be in the championship match of every tournament we play in.” Calvary Baptist Another first-year coach is Tia Bursack, who replaces Sue Arbuckle at Calvary Baptist. Bursack inherits four starters from a 9-13 team. “I think their strength is their serving,” said Bursack, who expects her top hitter to be 5-6 senior Amanda Turbett. “I would like to see us improve the strength of our hitting.” Bursack calls Turbett a “great” all-around player. “She can set,” Bursack said. “She can hit. She’s got a great serve. She’s got the whole package.” Other returning starters besides Turbett are 5-9 middle blocker Shelby Koehl, 5-5 outside hitter Ashton Kamphuis and defensive specialist Heather Eslinger. New to the starting lineup are outside hitter Michelle Cochran and setter Kaylie Bakalar. Cornerstone Cornerstone Christian Academy’s program enters its third year of existence with more experience than ever before. “I’m very upbeat,” said Coach Mike Jacob, who returned four starters from a 2-10 squad. “It’s been a slow building process.” The Cyclones returning starters are hitters Melissa Stalter, Milly Garvin, Sarah Gregory and Cassie Streutker. Others expected to get considerable playing time are Sarah Bieker, Claire Allen and Alyssa Jacob, the coach’s daughter, who will share setting duties with Streutker. The 5-11 Gregory, who plays for the Illini Elite Volleyball Club, figures to lead the team in kills. “In the tournaments we entered last year, she was an MVP type of player,” Jacob said. “Last year we chalk up as a learning experience. Every point scored on either side of court, it was a learning opportunity. “Now I guess I’m setting the bar a little higher. This team has some potential to chalk up some wins.” Intercity capsulesNormal Community Coach: Natalie Sutimek, 2nd season (record 30-8) 2007: 30-8 (8-1 in Big 12) Returning starters: Sr. – Jenny Menendez, OH, 5-10 (2.6 service points), Vanessa Gerig, S, 5-8, Taylor Coughlin, OH, 6-0; Jr. – Mary Trimpe, OH, 5-9, Jackie Gerig, S/RS, 5-11, Liz Heid, MH/RS, 5-10. Other key contributors: Sr. - Jenny Ewan, MH, 6-1; Jr. – Mackenzie Allen, MH, 6-2, Lindsey Freed, S, 5-7. FYI: The Ironmen, last year’s Intercity runner-up, advanced to the 4A sectional final where they lost to Collinsville, 27-25, 25-22. Menendez, the Intercity’s top returning hitter after averaging 3.6 kills per game, has committed to sign with Illinois State. University High Coach: Cathy Sanders, 8th season (record 186-81-1) 2007: 29-7 (14-0 in Corn Belt) Returning starters: Sr. – Taylor Bruns, S, 5-11 (2.6 kills), Ashlee Sang, Libero, 5-9 (5.3 digs); Carly Schumacher, MH, 6-2; Jordan Bond, OH, 5-11; Jr. – Maggie Bee, S, 5-6 (5.2 assists). Other key contributors: Sr. – Anna Vaughn, DS, 5-4; Jr. – Haley Cook, MH, 5-10, Candice Cuppini, MH, 5-10; So. – Valerie Nichol, OH, 5-11. FYI: The Pioneers won the Corn Belt, but fell to BHS in the 3A regional final. Schumacher will be out until at least Sept. 4 with a broken thumb. She and Bruns were first-team all-Corn Belt stars. Bee was a second-team pick while Sang and Bond earned honorable mention. Bond is the school record holder in the triple jump. Nichol can jump and touch 9-11. Bloomington Coach: Joe Sanders, 10th season (record 265-99-1) 2007: 33-5 (9-0 in Big 12) Returning starters: Sr. – Kasey Heckelman, OH, 6-2 (3.3 kills), Alli Kirk, DS, 5-8, Jessica Spence, OH-DS, 5-7, Bethany Baker, DS-L, 5-4, Rachel Soltwedel, OH/MB, 5-10; Jr. – Lauren Seyller, OH, 6-0 (2.9 service points). Other key contributors: So. – Alina Agamy, S/OH, 5-10, Vanessa Coleman, MB, 5-11, Lauren Winkeler, DS/L, 5-4; Fr. – Emily Burger, S/OH, 5-10. FYI: BHS won its first Big 12 title since 1995 last year — ending NCHS’ seven-year run — with help from Pantagraph area player of the year Ashley Beyer and Illinois State recruit Kristin Stauter, who both graduated. The Purple Raiders reached the 3A sectional final where they lost to Metamora, 16-25, 28-26, 25-21. Normal West Coach: Julie Paska, 1st season 2007: 23-13 (6-3 in Big 12) Returning starters: Jr. – Alli Stover, OH, 5-10, Sara Motsinger, MB, 6-0, Erin McGinnis, OH, 5-10. Other key contributors: Jr. – Mellisa Turpin, MB, 6-4, Lindsey Sturm, Libero, 5-6, Alexandra Aplington, S, 5-7, Erin Huddleston, OH, 5-11. FYI: Normal West, fourth in last year’s Intercity Tournament, moves up to Class 4A this season after playing in 3A last year. This all-junior squad has been successful together since seventh grade. Aplington will set for a 5-1 system. Former ISU star Kelli (Rikli) Kreger is an assistant coach. Central Catholic Coach: Emily Kabbes, 3rd season (record 46-28) 2007: 26-12 (12-2 in Corn Belt. Returning starters: Sr. – Mary Joseph, DS, 5-2; Danielle Highland, RS, 5-10; Jr. – Stephanie Buhrow, MH, 6-1. Other key contributors: Sr. – Shelby Wheeler, OH, 5-10; Jr. – Jessica Conner, DS, 5-2; Fr. – Meredith Boe, S, 5-8. FYI: The Saints, fifth in the Intercity a year ago, reached the 2A sectional final where they lost to Carlinville, 29-27, 16-25, 25-21. Buhrow earned second team all-Corn Belt honors. Boe is the front-runner for the setting job, but Kari Mysker and Jaime Baldwin are contenders. Calvary Baptist Coach: Tia Bursack, 1st season 2007: 9-13 Returning starters: Sr. – Amanda Turbett, S, 5-6; Shelby Koehl, MB, 5-9; Ashton Kamphuis, OH, 5-5; Jr. – Heather Eslinger. Other key contributors: Jr. Michelle Cochran, S-OH, 5-5, Kaylie Bakalar, S, 5-5. FYI: Bursack replaces Sue Arbuckle, who ended a five-year run as coach with a 59-71 record. Turbett had seven kills in the team’s season-opening win over Danville First Baptist. Cornerstone Coach: Mike Jacob, 3rd season 2007: 2-10 Returning starters: Sr. – Melissa Stalter, OH/MH, 5-6, Milly Garvin, OH, 5-5, Jr. – Sarah Gregory, OH/MH, 5-11, Cassie Streutker, S/OH, 5-9. Other key contributors: So. – Sarah Bieker, OH, 5-4; Fr. – Alyssa Jacob, S/OH, 5-4, Claire Allen, S/OH, 5-5. FYI: Look for Gregory, a member of the Illini Elite Volleyball Club, to be the top hitter for an improved Cyclone squad. Streutker and Jacob, the coach’s daughter, will share setting duties in the 6-2 system. E-mail this story | Print this story | Search archives | RSS Show comments |  Hide comments | Hide comments on all stories |
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