Normal West girls volleyball had a ‘really special’ ride to IHSA state tournament
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — “It isn’t always easy, it isn’t always pretty. It’s hard and uncomfortable a lot of the time, but it’s about the journey and it’s about growth and it’s worth it.” Coach Kelsey Mueller of the Normal West Wildcats Volleyball team speaks of the life lessons that come from playing the sport. In her 15 years of coaching volleyball, 10 of which have been at Normal West, Mueller strives to instill core values in her players that go beyond the game. “It really isn’t about the wins and losses but more so the relationships you have with your teammates and the life lessons learned at the end of the day.”
Though, when relationships are strong, winning tends to follow. Mueller has coached many of the girls on the 2021 Wildcats volleyball team since they were in junior high. As much as coach impacts the lives of her players, this years players equally impacted Coach Mueller. “They have made me a better coach. They are amazing on the court and off and I really feel blessed to have such a great group of girls.”
This camaraderie created a chemistry on the volleyball court. When the Wildcats won the Intercity tournament outright for the first time this past September, it may have raised Coach Mueller’s eyebrow. After all, it came during a 13-match winning streak for the Wildcats. When victories against teams the Wildcats hadn’t defeated in years followed a few weeks later, it really started to get Coach Mueller’s attention as the team began to think of what might be possible come November. The early success, highly competitive practices and a willingness to embrace a growth mindset convinced her that the Wildcats could be on a path to greatness in 2021.
“This year’s team was really so special,” she said. “What many people didn’t see is the depth that we have. We were so deep at every position that it made for a competitive practice environment every night. Many times practices were more intense than matches.” The outcome was a third-place finish in the Class 3A state tournament and a 34-win season. It was the first time since the inaugural year of the high school in 1995 that Normal West advanced to the state tournament.
After a two-set loss to eventual state runner-up Belvidere North in the state semifinals, the Wildcats rallied to defeat Joliet Catholic in two sets in the third-place match. “I was most proud of how we truly came together and played for each other,” Coach Mueller said.
As Coach Mueller reviewed game film throughout the year to find ways for the team to improve, she noticed a common theme. “I was constantly seeing the team celebrate others over themselves, regardless of the outcome of a play,” Coach Mueller said. “During timeouts and between sets, you could see their love for each other and the team.” That was never more evident than in the Taylorville Super-Sectional when the Wildcats overcame a strong Taylorville team and its raucous student section on their home floor with a 26-24, 25-21 victory.
Four-year starter and outside hitter Averie Hernandez was at her best that night, registering a match-high 17 kills for the Wildcats. The Northwestern recruit finished the season with a whopping 499 kills. “While she made such an impact with her play on the floor, I think what put our team over the top was her leadership,” Coach Mueller said. “She really got the most out of each player on the team.” Setter, Sydney Sennett, was another key player all season. “She ran a really good offense but I saw most improvement with her defensively both blocking and in the back row. She was another constant positive leadership force for us which helped the team through some tough situations.”
Coach Mueller said the Wildcats introduced a new drill, concept or play every day in practice to keep challenging and growing the team. She admits it wasn’t always pretty, but her team embraced it as an opportunity to improve. “As we got into matches, we were able to use some of our setbacks as information on what we need to work on rather than letting setbacks define if we were successful or not,” Coach Mueller said. “The other thing was attention to detail. We talked a lot about how the little things matter and how they add up when the game is on the line.”
In addition to Hernandez, the Wildcats will graduate three other seniors. Alannah Blanks, who transferred to Normal West as a junior, led West with 54 blocks. She is pursuing options to continue her volleyball career in college. The Wildcats also graduate Lilian Lay and Cordova Beaver. Lay also runs track, while Beavers plays soccer.
Coach Mueller is optimistic about the returning underclassmen, led by junior setter Sydney Sennett who compiled a team-high 900 assists. Sydnie Hernandez, a defensive specialist and younger sister to Averie, along with sisters Emma Rink, a junior, and Ellie Rink, a freshman, are expected to be significant contributors in 2022. “I am really looking forward to seeing this upcoming team’s identity and how they come together,” Coach Mueller said. “There will be opportunities for some players to play a big role, and I know we have what it takes to be successful.”
If there was a note of melancholy to the season for Coach Mueller, it was that her college coach, Ron Sweet, could not experience the Wildcats’ ride to the state tournament. Coach Sweet gave Coach Mueller her start in coaching at age 19. He passed away in 2020 from cancer. “He believed in me as a player when I didn’t believe in myself and gave me a great opportunity to play on a national championship team at Kishwaukee Community College,” Coach Mueller said.
Though she wasn’t able to reach out to mentor Sweet throughout the season, she was able to celebrate with her dad, a track and basketball coach himself. “I always remember sitting through practices and games and helping at meets and loving the environment,” Coach Mueller said. “He’s my biggest supporter.” Coach Mueller supported her players the same way on the way to school history.
“To see 15 young women show up for each other, ready to battle and for everyone to do what it takes,” Coach Mueller said, “was really special.”
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