Jaimie Marquardt’s position for Libertyville doesn’t reflect her future.
Marquardt, a libero and defensive specialist for her Sky High Volleyball club team, is the setter in the Wildcats’ 6-1 offense.
“I don’t mind because it’s fun and it’s a challenge,” she said. “In college, however …”
Marquardt, a junior, will be a libero at the next level.
“For us, out of necessity and her love for our team, she’s our setter,” Libertyville coach Greg Loika said. “She will do whatever it takes to help us be successful. She’s an unselfish player.”
Marquardt showed off her skills in the less familiar position once again on Monday, recording 20 assists in the Wildcats’ 27-25, 25-18 road victory against Vernon Hills in a nonconference match between two of the top teams in Lake County.
“It is always a big match when we play Vernon Hills because of the (school district) rivalry,” Marquardt said. “They have such a good team, so for us to beat them in their gym means a lot.”
Marquardt also excelled at the service line for Libertyville (23-5), which is in the driver’s seat to win another North Suburban Conference title.
“I think it shows we have been pretty consistent over the past few years against some pretty good competition in our conference,” Loika said.
The Cougars (24-4) were leading 23-19 in the first set before Marquardt served up five consecutive points, including an ace, to put the Wildcats ahead for the first time. Elon commit Keira Kasten, a senior outside hitter who had 12 kills for Libertyville, put down two in a row to finish the set.
“I have been working hard on my serve,” Marquardt said. “My coaches have moved me back off the line a few steps, and I’ve been making that work for me.”
Vernon Hills could not regain the momentum in the second set.
“Libertyville is a very good team, but we did a lot of damage to ourselves,” Vernon Hills coach Chris Curry said. “It’s a mental thing for us in that we enjoy some success, but then we can’t seem to keep up the same energy that got us that success.”
Libertyville, which has the No. 3 seed in Class 4A Warren Sectional, and Vernon Hills, the top seed in the Class 3A Vernon Hills Sectional, will be two of the teams to beat once the postseason begins later this month.
The Wildcats have just two more conference matches — against Zion-Benton and Stevenson — in the regular season.
“Everything starts new for us in the playoffs,” Marquardt said. “We have had a real good season so far, and winning the conference again is big, so we want to keep it going in the playoffs to see how far we can take it.
“Our seniors have been so important to this program, so we want to finish the year strong for them.”
Darren Day is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.