Lake Zurich’s Orchard, Self shine in national club tournaments

Updated: July 19, 2011 12:54PM

Senior Amanda Orchard and junior Layne Self did the Lake Zurich volleyball program proud at the USA Volleyball National Championships in Atlanta.

Orchard was at the top of her game and helped the Sky High 17 Black place seventh. Self contributed to Sky High 16 Black, which finished fifth in the nation. The tournament wrapped up July 4.

Orchard’s team came in fresh from winning the AAU Girls National Volleyball Championship in Orlando. Unfortunately for Sky High, the team was not able to make it two in a row by winning in Atlanta. Orchard, though, strung together another strong performance on the national stage.

“I showed my coaches and teammates how I can play,” Orchard said. “Everyone told me that I played very well. I was really aggressive.”

Orchard did not play basketball and softball last year to focus on volleyball and making her college decision.

“Last year was pretty crazy with looking for colleges,” she said. “Now that it’s over, I can just sit back and play.”

In March, Orchard, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter, gave a verbal commitment to the University of Pittsburgh. Orchard spent last week at a volleyball camp at her future college home.

“It was a great experience and I learned a lot,” she said. “If anything, it made me love the school even more.”

Lake Zurich coach Matt Aiello is excited to see what Orchard will be able to do without the distraction of choosing a college.

“Her pure competitiveness will come out, and hopefully she can just have fun this season,” he said.

Added Orchard: “I’m so excited for this upcoming year. All our efforts will be on getting better and having fun, too. We’re hoping to get to the state tournament. That’s our goal this year.”

Self Finds Herself

The Lake Zurich standout said that the Sky High Black 16 played well throughout the national tournament. The team Sky High ended up losing to advanced all to the way to the championship match.

“We played well against the best teams in the United States,” she said. “It was awesome.”

Playing high-level club volleyball has been a boon for Self.

“I’m much more aware on the court now,” she said. “I have a better volleyball IQ.”

Aiello said Self, a 6-foot middle hitter, is playing with more confidence.

“Her instincts are so much better,” he said. “She’s not reacting after the fact; she’s (anticipating) the right movement. She’s started to realize she can be the focal point of an offense.”

Self may see some time at outside hitter this fall, which would give her some more swings per game. In addition, she has a chance to play all the way around.

“We don’t want to take someone with that presence off the court,” Aiello said.

Aiello is excited to watch Self continue to develop throughout the high school season.

“At Sky High, she’s practicing against the best and playing against the best,” he said. “She has improved everywhere. She was able to push herself to a level where, without a doubt, she’s one of the top 16-year olds in the area.”

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