It took more than a year, but Timothy Christian setter Dani Van Laten and middle hitter Ava Venema have turned the back-slide kill into a potent weapon for the Trojans.
As Timothy closes in on a fifth consecutive Metro Suburban division championship, Van Laten and Venema have been a big reason behind the team’s success. With another year to develop chemistry between setter and hitter, the duo from Westmont has developed a hard-to-block slide attack that takes advantage of the 6-foot-1 Venema’s quickness and Van Laten’s passes.
The back-side kill works using deception. If well-executed, the play makes it hard for the defense to establish a block because the spike could be coming from the middle or the right side.
What makes the play difficult is that the setter faces left, then puts the ball up behind her. The middle hitter starts from the middle and takes several steps to her right and spikes it wherever she sees an opening.
It requires split-second timing between the setter and hitter. Because Van Laten has her back to where she is placing the set for Van Laten, it’s important that they trust each other.
“We had problems getting the set down (last year),” Van Laten said. “(Practice) has made a huge difference. Last year I was not as close with Ava, now during tight games I love getting her the ball.”
Venema had a match-high 13 kills in a 26-24, 29-27 victory Oct. 15 at Chicago Christian (17-12, 7-4). She scored four points on back-slide kills off sets by Van Laten.
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Timothy (29-4, 10-1) ended the match with a back-slide kill to cap a three-point run. Venema used a soft shot to a wide-open back left corner of the Chicago Christian defense.
“Last year we were not as good, we didn’t click very well. This year, we’ve worked well together, we’re quicker,” Venema said.
Van Laten, a senior, and Venema, a junior, play for different clubs in the offseason. Van Laten joined Illinois Performance in Lisle and Vanema is with Western Springs’ 1st Alliance.
The progress of their back-slide attack began improving over the summer during team workouts at Timothy. With repetition during practice, the slide has become their favorite hitting play.
“It took communication. She always knows where I am,” Venema said. “I will yell (for the slide) when I can.”
Timothy coach Scott Piersma said Venema’s length is a key part of the tandem’s success.
“She reaches so high,” Piersma said. “With each block, she is able to go over the top.”
Plano champs
Timothy Christian beat Westmont for the second time this season en route to winning the Plano Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 18, but the Sentinels are seeded No. 1 and the Trojans are No. 2 at the Class 2A Guerin Sectional.
Timothy hosts its own regional and opens at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27, against Collins or Our Lady of Tepeyac.
The Trojans beat Westmont 25-17, 25-12 in the semifinals at Plano before knocking off Genoa-Kingston 25-16, 25-16 in the championship.
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