By Randy Whalen

The Joliet Central girls' volleyball team continues to look for improvement, and it starts in the summer. 

Like most schools, the Steelmen used their time in the summer to get together for some practices, team bonding, and some scrimmage play.

That scrimmage play came in the UNO Summer League. That took place for three Mondays in a row, July 7, 14, 21, with 12 different teams there. Some schools, like Coal City, Wilmington, and Yorkville, had two teams. Often, one was a JV.

Also, there was Joliet West JV, Minooka JV, Homewood-Flossmoor, Plainfield South, and Wilmington. On the last day of the summer league, the Steelmen defeated H-F in three sets in the 5 PM match. Then some of the players were refs for the 6 PM matches, and in the final game, Joliet Central beat the Coal City JV in three sets, with the last one being 16-14. 

"It went for three Mondays in July with different teams in our area and (Southwest Prairie) Conference," Joliet Central coach Kevin O'Connell said. "It was a mix of varsity and JV players.

"What is good about it is seeing how they all interact on the court. It's good to see the seniors step up and be leaders."

That will have to be the case as the Steelmen graduated eight seniors from last season's squad, which went 8-19 overall.

One of the seniors that will be looked to this season is Delany Moran. The veteran varsity player is ready to step up for her final high school season.

"I've been on the varsity all four years," Moran said. "I'm really excited about growing with the girls, that's my favorite part. The summer league is a really good way to see everyone again. It helps us work together."

Camryn Brown will also be back. Last year, she started as an outside hitter before moving to libero at the end of the season. She's a junior and will be in her second varsity season.

"We really have to work on our energy this season." Brown said. "We had highs and lows last year. So this year we have to work on the highs and have fun. I'm excited about going against Joliet West (in the special Pink Heals event on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at West). It's a fun competition."

Sadie Johnson graduated this past spring. So the Steelmen are looking for a new varsity setter. That should be junior Lexi Webb, who played that key role on JV last year, then also this summer, and looks to continue in the regular season.

"It's my first varsity season and I'm excited," Webb said. "It's a little stressful, but I'll get used to it. I'm just looking forward to the experience. 

"Playing in the summer league was nice. It helps to get used to everyone and have chemistry together."

Last year was the first one for O'Connell as the official head coach of the girls' program. He was the Joliet Central boys' volleyball coach up until the spring of 2024. He served as the interim girls' volleyball head coach in 2023, and this will now be his third season in this capacity. 

A year ago, the Steelmen (8-19) improved by one win from the previous season. They had a 4-match win streak between October 4-5 at the De La Salle Invite. That put their record at 7-8, but they lost 11-of-12 to end the season. An overall record of 3-7 in 3-set matches didn't help either.

But with the mix of veteran and new players, Joliet Central is looking to improve and get more wins this season.

"Lexie Webb is going to be our main setter now," O'Connell said. "Delany Moran is back as an outside hitter. She was an All-Conference selection last year and had a great club season on the UNO 17u Elite team. 

"Camryn Brown started last year as an outside hitter and ended up as a libero. If needed, she can go back to being an outside hitter. But she did a fantastic job as a libero and had a busy season off the court."

The Steelmen open the season with a pair of home matches. Those are both scheduled for 5:30 PM and are on Tuesday, August 26 against East Aurora, and on Thursday, August 28 against Bloom Township. 

"Summer is an opportunity for the players to get ready for the season and get to know each other," O'Connell said. "We have a competitive schedule and we look forward to it."