Skyway championship, honors top season

A conference championship, winning record and a number of significant individual honors capped another successful Cyclone volleyball season that culminated in the NJCAA Region semifinals.

This talented crew had an 11-game win streak and didn’t see their first loss until the end of September. They finished the season with an overall 26-9 record and were undefeated in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (7-0) to claim the championship that eluded them last season.

This was, however, not the finale they wanted. The Cyclones had their sights set on a second consecutive trip to the national tournament, but they had an off day in the region semifinal game and were dealt a 3-2 loss to Sauk Valley Community College, which they defeated earlier in the season.

Despite that disappointment, the Cyclones put up some impressive numbers. The team was ranked No. 6 in the NJCAA Division II for service aces (333) and was 12th for digs per set (19.89) and 17th for points per set (15.7). Sophomore Noelle Knezz (Lincoln-Way West) was ranked No. 7 for service aces (79) while sophomore Lauren Gausselin (Sandburg) was 15th for service aces (66) and 18th in digs per set (5.46). Knezz earned All-Region and All-Conference first team honors while Gausselin was named to the All-Conference first team. Freshman Brianna Knezz (Lincoln-Way West) earned All-Conference second team and All-Region honors. Sophomore Abbi Fletcher (Richards) peaked in her final season with the team earning NJCAA All-American second team, All-Region, All-Conference first team and Conference Player of the Year.