By Randy Whalen

The season is stable already for the Joliet Central girls' volleyball team.

Not only is Kevin O'Connell now in the head coaching position for the team, but the Steelmen are also expected to return nearly half the varsity team from last season.

O'Connell was the interim head coach last season. Now he's taken over as the team's official coach and that stability should help as the team looks to continue to improve.

"Yes, it seems more real now," O'Connell said. "We can start building relationships and a good rapport in building the program back up."

Under O'Connell, the Steelmen improved from two wins in the fall of 2022 to seven in 2023.

This season's improvement started in the summer. Joliet Central held summer camp, which got the team together for workouts and scrimmages throughout the summer. One of the highlights of that was participation in summer league play at the Uno Volleyball Club in Joliet. 

"We had girls from every level here for three Mondays in July," O'Connell said of the Uno league. "Sophomores, juniors, and seniors, from both the JV and varsity level were here for three weeks. 

"With the summer league, it's the kids getting together, getting prepared, and getting on the court with some of the players they haven't seen since last season. It was a good atmosphere and had everyone seeing their friends again."

Another aspect that O'Connell liked about the Uno league was that the Steelmen saw some different teams. Sure fellow Southwest Prairie Conference team, Minooka was there, but so were Coal City, Ottawa, and Marian Catholic. They went 2-4 in the six matches over the three-week period.

"Seeing improvement, that's our biggest goal," junior outside hitter Delany Moran said. "This is going to be my third year on the varsity and I'm expecting a lot more improvement and dedication. We all want to go all out this year and it's all about the dedication.

"We saw different teams in the summer and we're all getting used to each other. Plus, we don't have to travel far here but we're seeing good teams."

Sadie Johnson, a senior who is a setter and will be in her third season on the varsity, also agreed that the summer league was a good thing for the team.

"Yes, it helps us rebuild our team," Johnson said. "We're getting used to each other early on. This helps us grow early on with our new players. I'd like a goal of at least nine wins. 

"We have good communication with each other and get to know where everyone is supposed to be, I'm looking forward to the season, I'm excited."

The regular season opens on Thursday, August 29 as the the Steelmen travel to Bloom Township for a 5:30 PM match in the fieldhouse at Bloom Trail. That is followed by the home opener, on Thursday, September 5 in a 5:30 PM SPC match against Oswego. 

Then, that Saturday, September 7 starting at 9 AM, the Steelmen host the Joliet Central Peg Bryan Steelmen Invite in the field house. 

"Our goals this year are to do better in tournament play," O'Connell said. "But also to do better in our SPC conference matches."