Senior outside/right-side hitter Camryn Carter found herself in a situation where her extensive varsity experience had a direct impact on the outcome of a match for Yorkville.
Carter, a three-year varsity player, noticed a weak spot in Waubonsie Valley’s defense.
“Seeing there was no libero and they had to sit further back, having to do something with that was a really nice feeling,” Carter said. “I guess I’m just used to it, and I’m hoping some of them will get used to it more and pick up on it.
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“The best part about having a team is you can tell each other how to succeed and where to go.”
Carter made things go Wednesday night for the Foxes, putting down the decisive kill to help avenge an earlier loss to the host Warriors for a 25-23, 25-22 nonconference win in Aurora.
While Carter led Yorkville (4-4) with eight kills, Ryleigh Springborn tallied seven kills and two aces and Audrey Knoll added three kills. Anna Axelsen led Waubonsie (1-7) with six kills and two blocks. Zoe Kraslen also had six kills. Nithya Basireddy contributed four kills and two blocks.
Waubonsie called a timeout trailing 19-18 in the second game. The message was that Yorkville knew the Warriors were playing without a libero at that point due to roster construction as they work through injuries. Three aces and Carter’s kill followed to open up a 24-20 lead.
“I told them, ‘Guess what, they’re going to the middle,’” Waubonsie coach Noel Soto said. “Be ready for tips and rolls and protect the middle.”
Carter saw the same thing and turned into a coach on the court.
“Literally before her roll shot, she looked over and said, ‘Hey, there’s no libero in,’” Yorkville coach Ryan Donato said. “She did exactly what a kid should do in that situation.
“I think that’s third-year varsity experience.”
Her leadership, experience and positive nature have allowed Donato to move around some pieces early in the season, especially since Carter was slumping slightly, by her standards.
Donato decided to start using her more on the right side, an unfamiliar position to Carter.
“I wouldn’t say she’s struggling, but she just hasn’t been producing like she has,” Donato said. “I know there’s more. One of the things we’ve done is throw her on the right side to give Ryleigh and Audrey more opportunities to play because they’ve been scoring points. Cam’s really embraced it.
“She’s a kid where you put her anywhere and she’ll do what she needs to do. She’s a smart kid.”
A match like this, where Carter came through in a new position and helped Yorkville close out a win, could go a long way toward unlocking her full potential.
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“I just needed to feel like I could do it,” Carter said. “I don’t normally play right side, so that’s new to me. Feeling the support and the success I’m getting from the right side and everybody cheering me on is just reassurance that I’m doing well.”
Donato has faith that Carter will continue to bounce back.
“She’s going to work through whatever little slump she’s in,” Donato said. “I don’t think it’s an issue. I know she’s very positive at all times and she puts in the work.”
The job she did calling out the defense and then putting the kill away to help close out a match give him that faith.
“It really invigorated us,” Donato said. “They’re smart players. Trust yourselves. All directions don’t need to come from me. That’s the veteran leadership we want. That’s why she was voted captain.
“It’s little stuff like that and people respect her for those choices. She’s also a kid that backs up what she says.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.