Lincoln-Way West’s volleyball team has a trio of stars and a host of role players ready to repeat as conference and regional champions.
“Last year was the best season in the history of Lincoln West volleyball,” said Kendall Villa, who has been at LWW since 2019. “Ending up, I think 29-9. Our post play was 2-1, so we actually took regional championships. We also took first in conference. We have all but two returning starters. My expectations are high. Their expectations are high. We are ready for a great season and we are ready to get rolling.”
Caroline Smith, a 6-1 middle/outside hitter, returns after committing this summer to play volleyball at Drake University in a season she knows will be filled with expectations.
“It’s pressure, but it is a good pressure,” said Smith. “I think we are all excited and the camaraderie of all of us. Everyone that is coming back knows each other.”
Elly Decker, a 5-9 senior outside hitter, returns to help lead the Warriors.
“Obviously, last season we had a really good year,” said Decker, who racked up 284 kills a season ago. “We wanna keep building off that. We want to keep building together as a team because I love playing with the girls. I am just trying to be my best self.”
The pair of Smith and Decker provide coach Villa with an incredibly solid core.
“They were my starters last year and they are my starters this year,” Villa said. “They command the court. They pretty much don’t come off the court. They are on six rotations. They serve, they pass, they play defense. They are offensive. They block. They do all of it. They are there all of the time. And they do a really good job of that. I had high expectations for them last year and they surpassed them. And I feel like they are going to do the same this year.”
Add Erin Quigley to the star pair to help lead the younger group of Warriors.
“I think it is really important for us to lead the freshmen and show them the way and show them that we don’t want drama,” said Quigley, who also plays softball for LWW. “And to show them that we want to come together as a family. How to be their best selfs.”
Quigley will lineup at middle blocker and have the unenviable task of taking on much taller hitters at the net.
“It definitely was a big change, but it was exciting,” she said. “I have my teammates there for me if I have any questions. It is just like a bunch of people who are there and willing to give me tips.”
