Libertyville junior Keira Kasten is juggling multiple roles. Sophomore Jaimie Marquardt is playing an unfamiliar position.
Those are just two of the pieces of the unusual puzzle the Wildcats have been trying to solve this season.
Libertyville (10-10) lost its first three matches and seven of its first nine. This is a program that has had just two losing seasons since 1972 and has won at least 25 matches 25 times in that span.
A three-year varsity player and a captain, Kasten said she’s in constant teaching mode after the graduation of nine seniors earlier this year.
“Libertyville has been the team to beat for years, and we have a good reputation due to our history of success,” Kasten said. “With many new players together for the first time, the team struggled early on to create a strong team connection and a comfortable flow out on the court.
“This team has had its ups and downs, for sure. When we play our game and give everything we’ve got out on the court, we’re unstoppable.”
Libertyville coach Greg Loika, who has a career record of 340-130, said a number of factors contributed to the team’s slow start.
“This is the first varsity experience for many (current) players and the first experience playing together,” Loika said. “That has growing pains. We’re struggling with the simple things, like serving and passing, which has been a staple with us forever.
“It’s been a roller-coaster season, which is something Libertyville is not used to. We used a different lineup at one point in almost every set, plus the girls are playing different positions. We’re looking for a combination of skill and energy to find the right mojo.”
Among the adjustments, Marquardt has had to learn to play setter. She had been a libero.
“Setting the ball at the net was the biggest change in taking the second ball,” Marquardt said. “Learning to run an offense has been something I’ve been working on and continue to develop. … Having more setting reps now than at the beginning of the year has built my skills up more, which improves my confidence on the court as well.”
Kasten said Marquardt’s development is a good sign for the Wildcats.
“Jaimie works very hard in practice to keep on improving her setter ability,” Kasten said. “She has grown so much as a player out on the court. We needed another setter, and Jaimie was able to adjust and fill in that role for our team.”
Kasten’s big hitting and consistency also played a role in Marquardt’s improvement. Kasten had 53 kills in six matches to lead the Wildcats to a tournament title in late September.
“I love getting the opportunity to play next to her,” Marquardt said of Kasten. “If we’re ever stuck in a rotation or just need someone to put the ball to the floor, I know to set her because she will terminate, even with big blockers on the other side. Whenever she gets a kill, it fires everyone up.”
Loika said he believes the early losses combined with a strong schedule will help the Wildcats rebound in the postseason.
“We’ve got a good balance in terms of youth and experience,” he said. “The girls have stayed true. I’m so proud of them. Jaimie had a lot of pressure on her without a whole lot of training in trying to run a varsity team well. She’s growing every day.
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“Keira has played right-side, middle and now at outside for us. She’s a six-rotation player and knows teams are going to serve at her in the back row. She’s been a great captain, helping provide energy, lifting up her teammates and been encouraging.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.