High school volleyball insider: Richmond-Burton's Kayla Malec is athlete of the week; what to watch

Athlete of the Week

Kayla Malec, Richmond-Burton, sr., MB

Malec tallied 18 kills in two Kishwaukee River Conference wins for the Rockets last week. She led R-B with nine kills in a 25-17, 25-18 win against Woodstock and added nine more kills in a 25-20, 19-25, 25-12 win over Woodstock North.

On Saturday, Malec had 31 kills and 11 solo blocks in five matches for the Rockets, who went 4-1 at the Hampshire Invitational. R-B lost to South Elgin, 25-16, 25-14, in the championship and was runner-up.

The Rockets (12-9) are 4-3 in the KRC and trail Marengo by one match for third place.

This week's top matches

Richmond-Burton at Marengo

6 p.m. Tuesday

The first match between the Rockets and Indians was a marathon, with Marengo (11-6, 5-2 KRC) beating R-B, 21-25, 25-19, 32-20.

Johnsburg at Woodstock North

6 p.m. Wednesday

The Skyhawks (15-4, 5-1 KRC) need to win to keep pace with Burlington Central (13-7, 7-0) in the conference race. Johnsburg won the first meeting against the Thunder, 25-13, 28-26.

Cary-Grove at Huntley

6 p.m. Thursday

The Red Raiders survived three match points against the Trojans in the teams' first meeting.