There were times when it looked like Lincoln-Way East’s Kolby Ross would end up in gymnastics.
Then there also were times — and some pretty fast times, too — that it appeared track was going to be in her long-term future as she dazzled in grade school at Hickory Creek.
But in high school, volleyball came to the forefront for the 5-foot-9 junior outside hitter who has become one of the top players in the state and recently committed to play in college at Illinois.
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“I went to their camp my when I played 15s and they said, ‘Who is this girl? We love her,'” Ross recalled of her first interaction with the Illini.
First impressions mattered a lot as Illinois took a keen interest in Ross.
“They watched me during the regular season,” she said. “I went back to their camps and the calls came. I had interest from some other schools, but I knew Illinois was where I wanted to be.
“It’s close to home. I love the coaching staff. I love the area. It’s a great place to be, so I’m super excited.”
Lincoln-Way East (6-3) has been just as excited to have Ross on board. The Griffins have a strong team despite the season-ending injury of Eastern Michigan commit Klarke Mosby.
Ross playing an even bigger role has turned into an important part of the plan.
“I feel like this year I want to do the best that I can for my team,” she said. “We’re missing a very crucial part and that messed with our offense a little bit.
“I try to bring everybody up. We’re just trying to get everybody into a rhythm.”
Despite her injury, Mosby has still been able to help Ross’ game.
“She’s a very good blocker, so she always helping me out with my blocking,” Ross said of Mosby. “She can’t demonstrate it, but she can stand there and show me.”
Teammate Leila Taylor is among those around the program who appreciate what Ross has to offer.
“She brings leadership, she brings energy and she brings that dog and that fight,” Taylor said.
Lincoln-Way East coach Sean Burns will be leaning on Ross a little more this season.
“Her serves have gotten more aggressive and consistent,” Burns said. “She’s hitting the ball with more power. Her blocks have gotten better.”
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Last season, Ross missed seven matches with an injury but still led Lincoln-Way East (29-9) with 307 kills. She added 153 digs, 34 aces and 20 blocks as the Griffins won the SouthWest Suburban Conference championship and a regional title.
The Griffins have looked good this season, with their three losses coming to Marist, Mother McAuley and Lyons. Those three teams have a combined 21-0 record.
Ross has more than 600 career kills so far, and she’s far from done. Ross is eyeing the program record of 867 established by Tamia Maddox, who opened her Division I career with 244 kills as a freshman in 2025 at Saint Louis.
“She has a chance of breaking that record this year as a junior,” Burns said of Ross.
Ross started her athletic career as a gymnast for a decade but an injury derailed that career.
In eighth grade at Hickory Creek, Ross already had high school track coaches buzzing about her. She set an Illinois Elementary School Association state record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.20 and had the best 100 time in the state in Class 4A with a 12.53.
At one point, she toyed with the idea of doing track and volleyball in high school and college, but volleyball won out. And Burns is happy she decided to stay with volleyball.
“She’s amazing,” Burns said of Ross. “Not only is she a great athlete, she’s taken over the leadership role this year as a captain. We’re just so fortunate to have her. She’s awesome.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.