With returners who won championships and competed at nationals combined with skilled newcomers, Cyclones volleyball is aiming to repeat last year's successes.
The 2022 Cyclones won championships in both the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (undefeated 6-0) and NJCAA Region 4 before taking 13th place at the national tournament. Five members of that team are back to lead the newbies to continued success.
Starters Brooklyn Condon (Lincoln-Way Central) and Kaila Butvilas (Shepard) never came off the court last season and will be key players this year with their experience and skills. Condon was named to the All-Region and All-Conference first teams last year while Butvilas earned All-Conference first team honors.
Middle hitter transfer Kailey Burns (Homewood-Flossmoor) along with freshmen Ava Pequette (Manteno) and Mary Zielinski (Stagg) will add some strength to the offense. Freshmen Lily Avelar (Beecher) and Sophia Davidson (Marist) bring a solid defensive force to the team.
"The goal is to do just as well or better than last season. We have more depth on offense and defense," said Head Coach Lauren Lorenz, in her eighth season leading the program. "We should win, but it's hard to know when you haven't seen other teams yet. I'd like to repeat what we did last year but finish higher at nationals."
In the preseason, the Cyclones are ranked 14th in the NJCAA Division II. To prepare the squad, Lorenz added some different competition to the schedule and new tournaments. Once they get into the groove, Lorenz believes they should be a dominant crew.
"I'm looking forward to see how we match up with other tough teams that consistently finish in the top five nationally. I feel this group will respond well to my coaching style and improve throughout the season," Lorenz commented. "I'm optimistic about the season. It should be good."
Lorenz will be joined again by Assistant Coach Kerry Shannon. The Cyclones open their season at the OWT NJCAA Opening Weekend Tournament, Aug. 18-19. Their home opener is Wednesday, Aug. 30, 6 p.m., against College of Lake County.