Even though she was revved up for start of the regular season, senior middle hitter Amelia Kadamus missed all seven off Stagg’s matches in August due to an ankle injury.
Her fall debut had to be put on hold for a little while.
“It was a Saturday morning practice and we were doing hitting lines right before our opener on a Monday,” she said. “I sprained my ankle and couldn’t play.”
The 5-foot-9 Kadamus has returned to action, however. And she’s having a hot September.
“It feels amazing to be back because I love the sport so much,” she said. “I’m happy to be with my teammates on the court.”
Kadamus held court Monday night for Stagg. The Purdue Northwest recruit came up with eight kills to help the Chargers to a 16-25, 25-21, 25-18 nonconference win over host Oak Forest.
Maddy Marable, a freshman outside hitter, and Teagan Jeffers added seven kills apiece for Stagg (7-5). Nicole Maka had six kills and two aces, while Hannah Svoboda tallied 25 assists and 10 digs and Elaina Yasin chipped in with 13 digs.
Maddie Scott led Oak Forest (8-4) with eight kills. Hailee Morin followed with five kills and Kennidi Wisniewski served up four aces for the Bengals, who had a seven-match winning streak snapped.
But it was Kadamus’ kill in the third game against Oak Forest that broke a 15-15 tie. She then went on a serving run that featured an ace to spark the Chargers to a 21-15 advantage.
“It’s good to have her back because she’s such a positive light on the court,” Stagg coach Erin Moran said. “She’s always smiling and bringing everyone up.
“She honestly puts others before herself, and I think that’s what’s so special about her.”
Stagg was without junior outside hitter Katy Zumerchik, who is battling an illness, so Kadamus’ play was especially important after the Chargers dropped the first game.
Stagg’s ability to come back after an error-filled first game was a good sign, according to Kadamus.
“I definitely see improvements that we can make,” she said. “I know with how we’re practicing, and with the team spirit that we have, we can excel in our future games.”
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Kadamus has come through with 35 kills and eight blocks in her first five matches since returning.
“She’s amazing,” Marable said of Kadamus. “We are so different with her playing. She brings everyone up. And she’s so good.”
On the other side of the coin, Kadamus has been impressed with Marable’s play.
“She’s so good,” Kadamus said. “She had so much potential coming up and I can’t wait to see more of her in action.”
Kadamus’s volleyball journey saw her starting on the varsity for Stagg as a freshman after sitting on the bench two years before in seventh grade for Palos South.
She started working on her game and played club. In eighth grade, she was named the Southwest Interscholastic Conference Tournament MVP.
Now, she’s headed to an NCAA Division II school with a little help from a friend on her club team. Michio teammate Luca Bombacino, a Michigan recruit, helped out Kadamus with her recruiting.
“She does private lessons with the Purdue Northwest coaches and they told her they were looking for a middle for 2027,” Kadamus said of Bombacino. “She thought I was a good choice.
“She helped me reach out to the coach. It’s all thanks to her.”
For Kadamus, it’s an opportunity to continue playing the sport she loves.
“I love the emotions that volleyball brings,” she said. “You can slam the ball down. You can be scrappy and you never give up. That’s what I love.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.