Libby Kreykes comes through for Illiana Christian softball

Junior catcher Libby Kreykes occupies a special place in Illiana Christian coach Nicole Terpstra-Wondaal’s circle.

Libby Kreykes’ mother, Nikki, and Terpstra-Wondaal were teammates on the Vikings, Nikki Kreykes is one of Terpstra-Wondaal’s assistants and Terpstra-Wondaal’s daughter Maya is one of Libby Kreykes’ classmates.

So any success Libby Kreykes experiences is that much more personal.

“She’s such a stud behind the plate,” Terpstra-Wondaal said. “There’s a lot to love about Libby. But she worked really hard in the offseason to improve her blocking. Her framing was fantastic last year. We asked her to work on her blocking, and she did. To be able to throw a change-up that might go in the dirt with a runner on third — amazing. I trust Libby. I trust Libby to knock the ball down. She does such a good job.”

Libby Kreykes is in her second season as Illiana’s backstop after she split the catching duties as a freshman. She hit .404 with 11 RBIs last season. This season, she’s hitting .400 with a homer, 12 RBIs and six stolen bases after she went 1-for-3 in Illiana’s 3-0 win on the road against Munster on Thursday.

Libby Kreykes lashed a single to center in the seventh inning that whizzed past Munster pitcher Mady Kindy after lining out to right field in her first at-bat in the second.

“She hits the ball really hard,” Terpstra-Wondaal said. “She almost took the pitcher’s head off. But she’s hitting the ball well, really well. I couldn’t be more happy with her progress.”

Libby Kreykes absorbed a foul ball straight to her mask in the second inning but managed to shake it off to remain in the game.

“I’m pretty dizzy after that, but I’ll be OK,” she said.

Libby Kreykes’ performance wasn’t lost on Maya Wondaal, who in November committed to DePaul, where her mother was a star pitcher.

“She still blocks like a boss,” Wondaal said of Libby Kreykes. “She gave us so many great calls (Thursday night), and she’s been doing it all year.”

Terpstra-Wondaal also appreciated Libby Kreykes’ efforts.

“She’s not feeling too well, really dizzy,” Terpstra-Wondaal said. “We’re low on players this year; our numbers are low. So we split them. We only have 20 players in the program, so we gave 10 to JV and 10 to us. So we didn’t have a backup catcher (Thursday). Our right fielder came in and said, ‘I’m ready to go if you want me to catch.’ Avery Martin was ready to go back there and put the mask on.

“We’re very, very blessed with kids and families who have a team mentality. It’s so much of just, ‘What do you need? What does the team need? I’m willing to do it.’ Libby gutted it out. Just a ton of competitors who want to be on the field. Just really, really proud of them.”

Libby Kreykes has enjoyed playing with her mother, who continued her career at Bradley. Nikki Kreykes’ father, Gerry Swets, also is on the staff, as is Terpstra-Wondaal’s father, Fred Terpstra.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Libby Kreykes said. “Sometimes it’s a little challenging. But it’s fun to see how proud she is.”

Against Munster (8-10), junior pitcher Mikayla Derks continued her stellar season for Illiana (10-2), tossing a three-hitter with nine strikeouts and no walks. She also went 2-for-3 with a homer to lead off the seventh.

“They’re such a great program,” Terpstra-Wondaal said of Munster. “If you can compete with a program like that, I’m pretty excited.”

More Top Picks Photophobia Why Your Eyes Hurt In Normal Light

The Vikings continued their momentum as they prepare to play Hanover Central next week, with the Greater South Shore Conference championship almost assuredly on the line. Both teams are unbeaten in conference games.

“That should be a really good game,” Libby Kreykes said. “I’m really excited.”

Illiana, ranked No. 11 in the Class 2A state coaches poll, won a sectional title last season in just its second year being eligible to participate in the Indiana High School Athletic Association postseason after moving from Illinois. The Vikings aim to make an even deeper run this season.

“Our team has worked really hard, and it’s a lot of fun,” Libby Kreykes said. “We have a lot of team chemistry. Our trust in our teammates is very good.

“I love the girls. I love our work ethic. It’s just really cool to see how everyone works so hard to achieve their goals. And everyone’s goals are set so high, and we’re achieving them.”