Minooka senior outside hitter Stacey Perinar was one of the key players on last season's regional championship team, and will look to help lead the Indians to another regional title and more this year. Next fall, Perinar will play collegiate volleyball for Eastern Michigan University.
Q: How do you feel Minooka's season is going so far?
A: I feel like we are coming out very strong. At the beginning of the season we were a little nervous about our new lineup because we had some big shoes that needed to be filled. 7-0 (in the Southwest Prairie Conference, through Wednesday) is a great place to be at. Everyone wants to be on top. We are the team to beat this year and we want to keep the title as conference and regional champions. We don't want to stop there. We want to go further than we ever have before.
Q: What are the team's long-term goals?
A: We set many goals at the beginning of our season: 1. Win conference. 2. Get first in our tournament that we are hosting. 3. Finish top three in the Lyons Tournament. 4. Win regionals. 5. Win sectionals. 6. Win super-sectionals. 7. Get in the top three at state.
Q: Minooka is undefeated in Southwest Prairie Conference play at the moment. Who will be your toughest competition in conference?
A: I think that our toughest competition will be Oswego East. We put up a good fight in the first round, and round two we will both be coming at each other even harder.
Q: What did it mean for the team to win the first regional title in 11 years last season?
A: It meant so much to our program. We were very excited to bring home the title! It shows that our program is improving and we have the ability to achieve our goals.
Q: What are the strengths of this year's team?
A: Hitting and digging. We have great passers and great hitters. If one person is off, there is always someone to turn it around. Bri Marquez does a great job of mixing up the sets.
Q: You will play Division I college volleyball at Eastern Michigan. Why did you choose to go play for the Eagles?
A: I chose to play for the Eagles because I loved everything about Eastern Michigan. It has always been my dream to play DI volleyball in college ever since I started the sport. I attended their summer camp last summer and I loved it there. The girls are all super nice, the campus is beautiful, and it felt like the right fit for me.
Q: Do you expect to start at outside hitter at the collegiate level?
A: My coach told me that I would be an early impact player my freshman year. There are some great outside hitters on that team, so I know I will have to work hard for that position.
Q: What other schools were interested in you?
A: I had been contacted by over 50 colleges, but last summer I narrowed it down to the four schools that I was most interested in. They were the University of Iowa, Michigan State, Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan.
Q: Where do you play club volleyball at?
A: I play club volleyball at UNO Volleyball Club in Joliet. I love all the coaches, and I have made a lot of friends from club. Most of my teammates that I play with during club season, I play against during high school season. We are also great friends on and off the court. My best friend is Kelly Feigh from [Joliet Catholic].
Q: How successful is that team? Which high schools are the girls from?
A: My club team has qualified for Junior Nationals every year. The highest we placed was fifth in the National Division. There are always new members added to the team each year. My club teammates from this past year attend (Joliet Catholic), Oswego, Plainfield North, Plainfield Central, Plainfield East, Coal City and Minooka.