Jacksonville volleyball has big shoes to fill this year with 6 foot 3 inch middle hitter Jaelyn Keene now at Illinois State University and 5 foot 9 inch setter Sarah Thornley also graduated. Last season, despite a rough loss in the Regional Championship against the Springfield High Senators, the season went relatively smooth.
Returning starters for this season include 5 foot 8 outside hitter Abby Tomhave and 5 foot 6 inch libero Cheyanne Jockisch, who were also named as senior captains this year, later adding the optimistic 5 foot 9 middle hitter Rachel Shive as the third captain for the season. Losing the seniors from the 2013 season, it has been far from a walk in the park to keep up with big teams in the Central State Eight conference including Sacred Heart Griffin and Springfield High, both of which defeated the Lady Crimsons this season. Defeating Lanphier and Springfield Southeast, the Lady Crimsons are now 2-2 in conference.
Sacred Heart Griffin defeated our Lady Crimsons 25-14 and 25-14 last Tuesday and Quincy High did the same with scores of 25-8 and 25-17. After the game against SHG, senior Abby Tomhave stated “Our passes are what are killing us…” Though defense has been rough all season for the Lady Crimsons, some revisions to the lineup and hours of work in passing drills, the game against Springfield High last night showed a completely different team in multiple ways.
Coach Gary Hickox said, “Our passing was 100 percent better, and its been getting better, too. Over the weekend at our tournament, it improved. I think the confidence is coming back.” Some changes in the lineup were made for this game. Last year’s libero, Cheyanne Jockisch was moved back to this position rather than setting, and senior Jessica Schroeder was moved to a setting position. This took the team a few points to get use to, but was proven to make everyone a little more comfortable going back to a line up more similar to last season’s.
The Lady Crimsons have had to make a lot of adjustments all over the floor, changing defensive positions, running quick sets to throw off slow blockers on the other side of the net, and many other changes to keep opponents on their toes. Though the 3-7 record might lower one’s hope for the girls, it should not. The enthusiasm has heightened on the court and constant adjustments will be made to keep the girls fired up for every game. They step on the court with the will to win, and they will. It just takes time to go from such a power house team at the net to becomingĀ a quicker team that can think on its feet.
Jaelyn Keene set the bar here at JHS for four years, and our girls plan on proving to everyone who does not believe in them that they are capable of being a strong team and one to compete in the post season.