At times, senior Peyton Yelich and the rest of her Crown Point teammates can make it look so easy.
When the team is in rhythm, every player on the court moves in perfect harmony, with the ball always going to the right place. Crown Point was the state runner-up in Class 4A last season and is loaded with Division I talent as one of the state’s top teams again in 2017.
But this success hasn’t come overnight. It’s the product of year-round effort.
“As an athlete, you have to decide what level of commitment you’re going to make,” Crown Point coach Alison Duncan said. “You have to put the time in. If you don’t, there’s going to be someone else that does.”
Take Yelich’s junior year, for example. The Virginia Tech-bound Yelich spent the summer and fall with her high school team, a season that ended at the state finals in the first weekend of November.
After that, it was time for club season. Those teams practiced twice during the week, with tournaments dominating the weekends. Add in performance training twice a week with the club. Don’t forget about weightlifting sessions at Crown Point on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and additional private practices occasionally on Fridays. Remember to include film study sessions, too.
“We did so much training last year,” Yelich said with a laugh. “It was insane.”
Yelich said that off days don’t feel right to her.
“When those days come, it’s weird,” she said. “If I get two of those days in a row, I feel like I need to do something.”
And when the club season ended in April, she was back with her high school team in May, preparing for the upcoming fall season.
In spite of all that time committed to volleyball, Yelich said she has no regrets. She hasn’t had to miss out on any parts of the typical high school experience, save for an occasional early curfew on the nights prior to early-morning tournaments.
“If you have the passion and the drive, I feel like it’s easy,” she said. “I believe it’s worth it because Division I volleyball is a really cool thing in my eyes. It’s something that keeps you busy, so why not?”
A major factor in all of this is Yelich’s circle of friends, which mainly consists of her volleyball teammates. Instead of getting together at someone’s house, they get to together at volleyball. Classmates Alex Equihua (committed to Indianapolis) and Morgan Chacon (Arizona State) are two of Yelich’s closest friends and were with her for virtually all of the practices, training, and matches.
“We always joke around about that, that my only friends are on the volleyball team,” Yelich said. “That’s another special thing about Crown Point: we have a strong connection.”
And whenever Yelich has needed an escape from the real world, she’s found it on the hardwood.
“For me, the court is a whole other world,” Yelich said. “It takes your mind off of everything.”
Dave Melton is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.
Top 10
More Top Picks Best Automatic Watches For Men
With previous rankings in parentheses
1. Crown Point (2)
2. Michigan City (1)
3. LaPorte (3)
4. Hanover Central (4)
5. Andrean (6)
6. Bishop Noll (5)
7. Valparaiso (8)
8. Boone Grove (7)
9. Morgan Township (9)
10. Lake Central (10)
Player of the Week: Hanover Central freshman Peyton Frost had eight aces and added two kills during the Wildcats’ victory over Bishop Noll on Tuesday night.