After setback, setter bounces back strong

Volleyball is a fickle game. Just ask Desiree Aramburu.

Last year, the Mother McAuley setter lost her job to Melissa Joyce after the Mighty Macs got off to a 2-3 start.

This year, Aramburu is the 2008 Chicago Sun-Times Player of the Year.

"She is one of the toughest competitors I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching," McAuley coach Jen DeJarld said. "She has great instincts on the court, and she has the ability to control a match.

Aramburu has guided McAuley to a 37-2 record, a berth in the Class 4A semifinals and was named to the all-tournament teams at the Nike Challenge, at the Rich East Tournament and at Glenbard East’s Autumnfest.

Aramburu’s not only a great setter with 653 assists during the regular season — an average of nine per game — she hit at a .331 percent clip, led the team in aces with 43 during the regular season and had 41 block kills.

"I had to do whatever I could to get better," Aramburu said.

"Melissa is an excellent setter, and it was a privilege to play with her. I just had to step up my game."

McAuley has lost only once to an in-state opponent this fall. The Macs were beaten by Downers Grove South on Sept. 3. That loss was a springboard for Aramburu and her teammates.

"Sometimes it’s good to lose," she said. "It showed us we weren’t invincible. I think we came back strong."

Aramburu will be heading to Radford College in Virginia next fall. She’ll play for Marci Jenkins, another McAuley graduate.

"This is her first year as coach," Aramburu said. "They’re kind of rebuilding. But I’m excited to be part of it.