Scots garner region crown, on to NJCAA

MCHENRY COUNTY – The success story of McHenry County College women’s volleyball added another chapter this fall.

The Scots are champions of NJCAA  District A of Region IV and have qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament in Cedar Rapids, Iowa which starts Nov. 17. Head coach Kyle McCall won Region IV coach of the Year hobors as he guided the MCC squad to a 28-12 record. The 10th year coach at the Crystal Lake junior college’s squad consists of almost all area Fox Valley Conference prep standouts.

The team took a collective bow for its achievements and showed off trophies at the basketball games  Nov. 8 at the Crystal Lake junior college. The 12th-seed Scots opened against Richland Blands of Va. in the first round of the double elimination bracket Nov. 17.

It was a memorable Saturday at College of Lake County as the Scots topped Carl Sandburg 3-1 in the title. The Scots won the first set 25-13, lost 22-25 but took the next two sets, 25-23 and 25-17.

“Anytime you win a region championship, it is the culmination of hard work and trusting a process,” McCall said. “We’re super excited to go.”

Players earning all region accolades were Prairie Ridge alum Hannah Boudin and Madison Perry, a Rockford Auburn alum.

Boudin is a two-time All-America honor winner. “She is one of the top setters in the country,” McCall said. “She has committed to Indiana State University next fall. She is a team leader and her transition from her second to third year (due to COVID 19 eligibility) is amazing.”

“Perry averages six kills per set,” the coach mentioned.

Jaclin Poirer is a Jacobs alum, an outside hitter who came up with some big points at the region tournament.

Dana Devera is a third-year player who prepped at Round Lake and is the defensive specialist leader in digs.

Key former FVC team leaders include: Grace Eyrich, a sophomore player from Cary-Grove; Lauren Klutke, a freshman setter from Crystal Lake Central; Amanda Schaefer, a freshman setter from Jacobs; Valle Ligettt, a freshman outside hitter, McHenry; Candence Klasek, a freshman from Woodstock North; Alexis Schwartz, a freshman outside hitter from McHenry.

“We run a 5-1 offense which is pretty dynamic as our attacks can come from the front or the back which is a little different, more like men’s volleyball,” McCall said. “We have a lot of options on offense to score a lot of points, plus, we’re a good team in service aces which puts pressure on the opposition. We’re fourth in the nation in aces,” McCall said.

McCall is optimistic about the team’s chances at NJCAA.

“We’ve played nine of the teams in our division,” McCall said. “We play tough Saturday tournaments that get us prepared to be in a good position for the region tournament.”

“I’m super excited for the team,” assistant coach Shari Mayner said.

McCall, of Hampshire, credits Mayner, of Lake in the Hills, as a key part of the success. The duo also run a youth volleyball club, All In, which offers club teams up to age 17.

“Mayner played Division III volleyball at North Central College in Chicago,” McCall said. “That experience is valuable in helping standout prep volleyball players opt between a large well-known university with 20 or so freshman class or a two-year college in their backyard.’ We normally have a roster of between 13 to 15 players, so odds are they will get a chance to play.”

“I started playing volleyball in middle school the first year it was offered,” Mayner said. “It was a lot of fun. My teams at Glenbard North and North Park weren’t great, but it was fun. I liked to play team sports and be involved.”

Mayner said a strength of the team is “ninety-percent of the team is local this year.”