Audrey Prusko started out as a middle hitter at Dundee-Crown.
As a senior in her fourth varsity season, however, Prusko has answered the call this fall from coach Tiffany Dumas to do a little bit of everything for the Chargers.
Cue up the Johnny Cash song.
“The best part about her is she plays everywhere,” Dumas said of Prusko. “She wants to pass. She wants to serve. She has great hands. She’s very smart.”
Prusko is also explosive, and that was on display Wednesday night.
With Prusko leading the way, Dundee-Crown rallied for a 22-25, 26-24, 25-23 nonconference victory over host South Elgin. She finished with a match-high 11 kills.
“I’ve always played middle,” Prusko said. “Last year, I played outside a little bit. This year, we were unsure where I was going to play. I like middle a little more because I’m more experienced, but I like playing both.”
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The versatility has helped Prusko shine for surprising Dundee-Crown (9-3).
“Audrey’s been playing well since she was a freshman,” Dumas said. “She’s been playing great.”
Dumas confirmed the Chargers are trying to make a concerted effort to spread the wealth so teams can’t just focus on Prusko.
Rachel Piluski and Kylie Hanson reaped the benefits of that Wednesday. Piluski ended up with eight kills and Kylie Hanson had seven.
“We don’t only use Audrey,” Dumas said. “There’s really only been one game this season where we put it in her hands almost every time, but she was just so hot that night.
“Yeah, Audrey or Kylie will have a couple extra (kills), but everyone else is right around the same place because we move it around.”
The Chargers were coming off Tuesday’s difficult Fox Valley Conference loss at Prairie Ridge, and it looked like it could be more of the same early on against South Elgin (2-10).
The Storm rushed out of the gates, taking a 14-7 lead in Game 1. Dundee-Crown could not draw even.
It was much of the same in the second game, with the Storm surging to an 18-9 lead. They weren’t able to hold on this time, though.
The Chargers went on a furious rally to keep the match alive. Piluski had three kills and Sydney Komperda served three aces as the Chargers came back a 24-19 deficit.
“What I like with this team is they do have a ton of heart,” Dumas said. “They have a lot of passion. The best thing about this team is they play for each other.
“That’s the only way you can get back in a game like that — to be able to trust each other and play hard for each other. I’m super proud of them.”
South Elgin led 15-11 in the third game before the Chargers rallied again, with an 8-0 run turning the tide. Prusko and Taylor Findlay had two kills and Piluski served an ace.
Despite the loss, South Elgin coach Joni Plach was happy with how her team played as the Storm continues to piece things together without injured star outside Alyssa Worden.
Madeleine Shaner totaled 10 kills to lead the Storm.
“I haven’t seen them play this well this year,” Plach said. “We talk about the different kind of losses. You can walk off the court saying you did the best you can. We played our hardest.
“It’s nice to see they have it in them — that they can play well.”
The Chargers finished the first half of the conference schedule with a 5-2 record, opening a lot of eyes along the way, including their own.
“We’ve shown that we can do it,” Prusko said. “We don’t have to be the bottom team this year. We can win games.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
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