Vera, Hickey sisters to pace Kelly-less JCA

Font Size

Email

Bookmark

Black Text

White Text

JOLIET -- Under more ordinary circumstances, the storyline surrounding the area's most dominant high school volleyball team would revolve around four returning starters.

Or the two sisters who were selected to serve as captains. Or the junior middle hitter who cut her teeth in the varsity ranks after an injury took down a Division I recruit.

At Joliet Catholic, Christine Scheibe has raised the volleyball bar to an extraordinary level in her eight seasons as coach of the Angels. And the first question she must address is how JCA will adjust to life without Gatorade National Player of the Year Kelly Murphy.

The 6-foot-2 lefty led the Angels to two state trophies and a record of 133-31 in a span from 2004-2007. She signed with Florida. And word is she could crack the Gators' starting lineup as a true freshman.

"You know, Kelly's gone, and she was a key player for us all four years that she was here," Scheibe said. "Heading into this year, we're definitely going to have to have a different look about us because we don't have that big hitter to go to anymore.

"So, we've really been trying to push a balanced offense and to be using all of our hitters. This year we know we can't just set the ball high and outside for Kelly to hit over people.

"So, we're also working on running things faster."

Scheibe has plenty of weapons to work with in her arsenal. Gina Vera, an AAU All-American and Butler recruit, will handle setting duties for the third year in a row. She racked up 508 assists, 185 points, 83 digs and 25 aces as a junior.

"Gina's been there," Scheibe said. "She's had experience downstate in 2006. She was a leader on the floor even then as a setter. She's committed to Butler for next year and she brings us that experience we need. We've got four other girls who had significant playing time last year.

"Yes, it may look like we've lost a lot from last year. But I'm excited about what we've got for this season. At some of our key spots, we may be a little young, but they've got a lot of experience through club and playing on varsity last year."

Sisters Katie and Annemarie Hickey are back on the front line. Katie is a 5-9 senior who will make the shift from middle hitter to right side. Annemarie is a 5-9 junior who is entrenched on the outside after ranking second on JCA's leaderboard with 206 kills last season.

The two have grown up playing volleyball and basketball together and have developed an infectious chemistry that transcends from one family member to another on the floor.

"I've been with her on basketball and volleyball teams since grade school," Katie Hickey said. "Then, we played club volleyball together. So, I'm sort of used to it. It's a really neat experience. And I'm glad I get to share it with her."

As captains, the Hickey girls also will share in the leadership role with Vera.

"We're excited," Vera said. "Even though we don't have one awesome player, I think all of us together make an amazing team. We're really excited to get out there and show that even though we don't have one name, that all of us together can make one name."

Right side Katie Jasnica started in '07 and middle hitter Claire Randich was promoted from the sophomore ranks when East Carolina signee Brianna Fleener went down with a knee injury. At least four others will work into the regular rotation for the Angels -- junior outside hitter Alyssa Warren, sophomore middle hitter Lainey Wyman, junior libero Stephanie Keca and junior setter/defensive specialist Jenn Murphy.

Jenn, at 5-8, is quite literally Kelly's little sister.

"Jenn is her own player," Scheibe said. "I hate to make the comparison between her and Kelly because there is no one like Kelly -- ever. She's a once-in-a-lifetime player.

"But Jenn is a very solid player. She's a great setter. She's very quick on defense. And she's got a great attitude and personality that just makes her a joy to coach."

All of the Angels learned from watching Kelly Murphy work her magic.

"One of the great things about Kelly is that she's really humble about herself," Annemarie Hickey said. "She doesn't brag about how good she is or anything -- she just really helped our team last year. She is really smart with her hitting. And that got me thinking about what I need to do. I see the court really well.

"And I figure out the defense more than almost anybody else on our team except the setters. I mastered a couple good shots during the summer. And I can't wait to use them."

Scheibe can't wait to see JCA go from huntee to hunter, at least on a regional and statewide basis. The Angels have won seven straight regional title and three consecutive sectionals.

"I think it's just from the fact that we lost some of our key players from last year that we're not ranked in some polls," she said. "And it's OK with us. We don't mind playing that underdog role at all. I think the girls are going to come out and play the volleyball they know how to play.

"They've had a lot of success on the lower levels. Our juniors won conference both as freshmen and sophomores. The seniors, I think, won conference their sophomore year.

"So, they've had a lot of success on the lower levels. And hopefully that will carry on through."