Junior libero Payton Malinoski plays with a ton of energy for Lockport, showing an uncanny ability to get to a ball many just can’t.
She also isn’t lacking in nicknames.
One teammate, senior setter Abby O’Sullivan, calls her “Spicy Pepper.”
“It’s her personality,” O’Sullivan said. “She’s spicy, a little fiery, especially on the court.”
Another teammate, junior outside hitter Megan Consigny, calls her “Meatball.”
“She is so much fun,” Consigny said, laughing. “She is always rolling around out there. And I’m pretty short (5-foot-6), and she’s shorter than me (5-3). I know she’s always there.”
Beyond the fun, Malinoski was seriously clutch Tuesday night for the Porters in a 25-23, 17-25, 25-18 SouthWest Suburban Blue victory over host Homewood-Flossmoor.
Malinoski led the way on defense with 23 digs and 24 good serve receptions for the Porters (23-8, 7-2). Grace Juergens added 19 kills, while O’Sullivan had 18 assists and three aces.
All three aces by O’Sullivan came near the end of the third game, when she served for seven straight points.
LaDonna Trantham had 10 kills and 11 digs for H-F (14-16, 2-7). Samantha Gorton contributed seven kills and 12 digs, Chidera Ozoh added five kills and Emma Dieringer had 30 assists.
Malinoski delivered a stout effort against H-F’s power-hitting trio of Trantham, Ozoh and Gorton. They countered with several tips that compromised the Porters at times on defense.
But Malinoski’s team won.
“I just go for the ball, no matter where it is,” Malinoski said. “I try not to think too much — just go lay out, try to get a hand on it and get it up for everybody else.”
She isn’t afraid to dive. Or, for that matter, slide.
During a match against Lincoln-Way East, Malinoski screeched to a painful halt while crashing with a teammate as they tried to save a ball.
Malinoski had to be assisted off the court, but she eventually returned to finish.
“At first, I thought it was my ankle, but when I got home I found it was the top of my foot,” Malinoski said. “I think it was just bruised or a nerve got hit. I taped it a couple of times, and now I’m fine.”
Playing on the edge is her game.
“Adrenaline pushes me,” Malinoski said. “I think I focus better. The adrenaline, the fun, all of us together having fun, just pushes me to go for a ball that even if I can’t get I think I can because my teammates are there.”
A secret talent? Her ability to set.
Malinoski is first on the team in digs and good serve receives, but she’s also third with 55 assists. She had two in the first game Tuesday against H-F
“When I was 11, I actually set when I played for Attack,” Malinoski said. “The next year, I moved to back row, but it kept flowing through my brain to get hands on it and put it up high enough that the hitters can get a swing on it.”
In addition to “Spicy Pepper” and “Meatball,” her teammates — and Lockport coach Nick Mraz — also call her captain.
“The plays she makes, they’ve always got that effort,” Mraz said. “Balls that should hit the floor aren’t because of her wanting to get there. And when mistakes happen, she owns them. The girls saw that and voted her a team captain.
“It says a lot. This is her first year on varsity, but the way she carries herself, whether it’s vocally or through her play, is noticed, As a first-year varsity player, that she can come right in and be a leader, that’s impressive.”