An Oak Park volleyball team full of new faces prepared to put in the work this season, striving to play 500. A team that has struggled historically, is currently 2-0, while shifting its team dynamic. A dominant outside hitter from Czech Republic, a talented freshman libero, and two new seniors learning the game for the first time comprise part of the varsity squad.
For the new players, “you go back to the basics for some of the time,” said head coach Jessie Michaels. “But then you also use their experience and knowledge of other sports to apply it to the volleyball world.”
Delaney Harbrucker and Makenzie Doolin are both seniors this year who have never played competitive volleyball before. The two are talented athletes who come from track and basketball backgrounds. They have been patient and receptive to coaching.
“They’re so willing to just listen and learn, and they’re really coachable, and it’s just nice to have somebody on the team who is like that,” team captain junior Grace Vanderbeek said. Despite everyone’s differences, “We’re all a bunch of best friends, we get along really well.”
Julie Tribusová, an outside hitter from the Czech Republic, was another addition who has been productive for the team. Michaels calls her “a bomb hitter.”
She came to America with experience from her home country. The team recognized her abilities and enjoys her presence.
“It’s definitely fun,” Vanderbeek said. “[She’s] ready to learn from anybody, and I really love that.”
Not only is this varsity team full of newbies, they also have a freshman playing as libero.
“I think it’s actually really fun,” libero Giselle Vang said, “but it’s kind of a lot of pressure because I’m a freshman, and libero does a lot.”
Libero is a highly technical and challenging position. They must be the best defenders on the floor and are expected to make perfect passes almost every time. Having a freshman in this position is not the norm.
What some may call an unconventional team has a winning record so far, and the team hopes to keep it that way. There is a team emphasis on winning and building a positive culture, and this unique line up appears to be helping.
“I think that we are full of unique strengths and talents,” Michaels said.
She wants to build a program that Oak Park can be proud of in the future.
