Milestones and honors abounded for Moraine Valley volleyball in 2015

Another volleyball season is over for head Coach Matt Clemens, his first with Moraine Valley Community College, and a pretty good one for his inauguration at the college level. With 22 wins and a few athlete milestones and honors, there’s a lot to brag about in 2015.

Coming in late to start the season, Clemens had eight athletes to start with, added a ninth and worked without an assistant. Challenges aside, he’s happy with the results. “It went really well. We went 22-11, which is impressive. We had a chance to advance to nationals, and we played well. It was an experience I’ll never forget as my first time as a college coach,” he said. “I think there are things I could’ve done better, but it was a learning curve.”

With every match, the Cyclones improved dramatically. Not only did the Cyclones finish 22-11 overall and 5-2 in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference, but they also were two games short of heading to the national tournament.

With such a small team, every player was important, but Carolyn Yerkes (Marist) was key this season. “She is arguably the #1 libero in the country. We don’t win 22 games without her. She passes well, serves aggressively and plays defense better than anyone I’ve coached or played with. It was almost like she was an assistant coach,” Clemens said of the All-NJCAA Region IV and All-Conference team sophomore. Yerkes also eclipsed the 1,000 dig mark this season and has more than 1,300 in her collegiate career.

Joining Yerkes on the All-Conference first team were freshmen Kaitlyn “Kam” Myles (Queen of Peace) and Carly Nowaczyk (St. Ignatius). Making the All-Conference second team were sophomores and Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences alumnae Carly Trinley and Allison Nash, who boasted more than 200 kills. This season, Trinley also surpassed the 1,300 mark in assists for her career.

Next year, Clemens wants at least 12 on the roster, making for better scrimmages in practice and the ability to schedule more games, and an assistant coach. With three expected to return and some talented recruits already lined up, the Cyclones are shooting for more than 22 wins and a trip to nationals.

“We’re on the right track. It’ll be nice to put Moraine Valley back on the map for volleyball,” Clemens said. “I’m looking forward to next year.”