Athlete of the Week: Minooka Outside Hitter Stacey Perinar

Minooka High School’s Stacey Perinar is an outside hitter and a pretty good one.

So good, she has signed to play next season at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti.

The 5-foot-10 senior leads the Indians in kills and has the defending Southwest Prairie Conference champions atop the league, again, halfway through the season.

She has also earned the Channahon-Minooka Patch.com Athlete of the Week.

When did you first start playing volleyball? I first started volleyball when I was in fourth grade. My best friend and I were really competitive when it came to sports and we both loved softball. One day, she told me she started playing volleyball and was really good at it. We would hang out all the time and play pepper in the backyard almost every day. That is when I fell in love with the sport.

What advice do you have for girls who are just beginning to learn the sport? For all the girls who are just starting volleyball, I recommend they play club volleyball in their off-season. Club has taught me so much and not only helps you become a better player, but also a smarter one. I play at UNO Volleyball Club and they have taught me all I know about the game. You play a higher and tougher level and against other teams around the country.

What advice do you have for some of the younger girls on the team this year? Don’t get nervous, and have fun. Many of the younger girls on our team were nervous the first few games. Volleyball matches are more exciting when you have fun and love what you are doing. No matter what your age is, everyone on the team is there for the same reason: to play volleyball.

What’s your most memorable athletic moment? During club season, when I was 14, my team won the Asics tournament at McCormick Place in Chicago. The next day, I received my first college recruiting letter, and (it) was the University of Illinois. This letter really set my goal to play Division I in college. I worked harder and had something to work toward. All of that hard work and dedication has paid off.

What was your most embarrassing sports moment? Last year during club season, we were playing in the Junior Classic. There was a ball that got shanked and was soaring toward the spectators. I ran after it really determined to pop it up. When I got it up, I dove and landed in the crowd on top of (teammate) Haley Bowden’s mom. She is really tiny! It looked funny because she is about 5 feet tall and I am 6 foot. I felt terrible and even though the play was still going on and I should have run back onto the court, I
gave Mrs. Bowden a hug and said I was sorry. Then, I went back on the court while the rally was still going on and we got the point!

Who are your favorite athletes? Bicyclist Lance Armstrong and professional volleyball players, Misty May Treanor, Carrie Walsh and Destinee Hooker.

What are you goals as a freshman at Eastern Michigan? 1.) Help contribute to the team; 2.) Win the MAC Conference; 3.) Become
a good student-athlete.

What are your goals for the 2011 season?

• Win Conference;
• 20 or more wins;
• Win Regionals;
• Win Sectionals;
• Win SuperSectionals;
• Win State;
• Place in the top three at the Lyons Tournament;
• Top my number of kills last season (375) and
• Become more consistent where I place the ball.