After Katelyn Kritzer missed Naperville Central’s previous two matches with an ankle injury, her status on Wednesday seemed to be in question.
But the 6-foot-5 sophomore middle hitter had no doubt that she would play against rival Naperville North.
“She’s a gamer,” Naperville Central coach Eric Kaisling said. “That’s all I can say. She tried it in warmups and looked at me and said, ‘I’m ready, coach.’ ‘OK, you’re in.’”
Katelyn Kritzer had some extra motivation. It was her last opportunity to play volleyball with her older sister, Annabelle, in a regular-season match against the Huskies. Annabelle Kritzer is a 6-4 senior who has committed to play basketball at Drake.
“This is her last year playing volleyball,” Katelyn Kritzer said. “So it’s fun to be able to play with her, especially against North, our rival.”
The Kritzers rose to the occasion. Annabelle Kritzer had seven kills and four blocks while Katelyn Kritzer added five kills and an assist as the host Redhawks avenged an earlier three-set loss to the Huskies with a 24-26, 25-20, 20-19 DuPage Valley Conference win.
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Junior outside hitter Olivia Monteith paced Naperville Central (16-5, 3-3) with 12 kills, senior setter Alexa Novak had 16 assists, 13 service points and two aces, and senior libero Zoey Horn had 15 service points and four aces.
Senior outside hitter Joelle Pye-Blacknard had 12 kills for Naperville North (17-9, 5-1), which was unable to stop the Kritzer sisters, especially when they were on the court at the same time.
That’s a relatively new phenomenon. The Kritzers are both middles, but the Redhawks didn’t have a true right-side hitter going into the season.
“Ultimately, we decided on (6-foot junior) Suzie Holloway and Annabelle to be the right-sides just to put a really big 6-foot-4 block in front of arguably some of their best hitters,” Kaisling said. “There’s a couple rotations where we have the ability to run some really fun, different types of offense.”
Annabelle Kritzer has adapted quickly.
“That’s definitely a new position for me this year, but I was open to trying it and doing whatever is best for the team,” she said. “I’ve actually gotten to like it just as much as I like middle.
“I also like playing defense and being able to block the other team’s best hitter on the outside, and being next to Katelyn is super fun.”
That pairing was super effective against the Huskies. In the second set, Annabelle Kritzer had three consecutive kills to put the Redhawks ahead to stay at 16-15, and Katelyn Kritzer had the kill that got them to set point.
Katelyn Kritzer began the third set with a kill, and the Redhawks didn’t trail again.
Although the Kritzers have always stood out for their height, that’s not what stands out to Kaisling.
“Their work ethic is what separates them more so than their height,” Kaisling said. “They work hard all the time.”
The Kritzer sisters get their height and athletic genes from their parents. Their father, Tom, who is 6-10, played basketball at Yale, and their mother, Erica, who is 5-11, played club volleyball at Michigan.
Family ties are strong for the Kritzers, who grew up playing sports together and also play basketball for Naperville Central.
“They’re the best of friends,” Kaisling said. “They get along great. I have them in the front row together just due to their familiarity with each other. They put up one massive block.”
The Kritzers’ bond may be even bigger than their block.
“I feel like not everybody gets this opportunity,” Annabelle Kritzer said. “We spend a lot of time together in the car going to and from practice, and then being able to be on the court next to each other, putting up a block, it’s been super fun, and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.”
The Kritzer sisters are each other’s biggest supporters.
“She’s super goofy, and she always has a positive attitude and smile on her face,” Annabelle Kritzer said of Katelyn, who appreciates her older sister.
“She’s a great role model and a leader,” Katelyn Kritzer said. “She’s always helping people out. She’s just a great person.”
Annabelle Kritzer said the Redhawks could be on the verge of something great.
“We have a really special group of girls and coaches this season,” she said. “I think we have an opportunity to do some really good things as the postseason comes.
“Beating North is a great win for us. We’re just looking to keep going as long as we can.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
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