Moraine Valley volleyball squad looking to come out on top this season

The Moraine Valley Community College volleyball team is looking for better than second-best this year. After a 2014 season that saw a largely new team finish second in both the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and NJCAA Region IV, this crew is ready to go further in 2015.

A strong core of returners back from a 20-win season will help lead the way. Libero Carolyn Yerkes (Marist) was an NJCAA All-American nominee and named to the All-NJCAA Region IV and All-Conference teams last year after being ranked 11th in NJCAA Division II in digs per set (6.03 average). She was the Cyclones’ MVP. Also returning is All-Region and All-Conference player Carly Trinley (Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences). Trinley was moved around last season, playing multiple positions. This year she is leading the offensive charge as setter.

Sophomore Amanda Host (Tinley Park) also was busy filling multiple roles. By the end of the season, Host played four different positions successfully with the Cyclones benefiting from her effort all around. Her lack of experience as setter didn’t stop her from taking hold of that position by seasons’ end. Allison Nash (Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences) was last year’s Most Improved Player and looks to pick up right where she left off. With one of the team’s best vertical jumps, she will see an increase in her kill and block total while spending a majority of her time on the right side. Kate Patnett (Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences) rounds out the returners. She put in long hours in the off-season to come back quicker and faster. In the pre-season she’s looking stronger than ever in the middle. Patnett was one of the Cyclones’ best blockers last year as well as having one of the highest hitting percentages on the team.

There were some big gains in the offseason with several impressive recruits and additions. Newcomer Kaitlyn “Kam” Myles (Queen of Peace) will be the other middle. Her strong offensive presence in the middle and potential will be a team asset. Outside hitter Carly Nowacyzk (Saint Ignatius) will be one of the Cyclones’ main offensive weapons. While hitting great shots in the front row, Nowacyzk is just as strong at hitting backrow attacks. Her fundamentals will make her a force to be reckoned with. Kortney Chase (Eisenhower) will be one of the pin hitters as well as a main passer in serve receive. Her quickness and great touch on the ball will be extremely valuable.

The Cyclones are aiming high and ready to battle for a championship in both region and conference.

Visit www.morainevalley.edu/athletics or follow the Cyclones on Facebook at morainevalleycyclones and Twitter @MVCyclones.