Spring 2021 Northwest Herald Volleyball Player of the Year: Crystal Lake Central’s Maddy McCormick

Crystal Lake Central senior Maddy McCormick was a freshman on the 2017 Tigers team – along with Madeline Timmerman and Karina Simatos – that went to the Class 3A state tournament and took third. Throughout her high school volleyball career, McCormick has been a part of three regional championship teams and two Fox Valley Conference champions.

This year, the high-flying senior led Central’s powerful attack with 85 kills, including a match-high 12 kills in her team’s FVC tournament final victory over crosstown rival Crystal Lake South, as the Tigers went undefeated in FVC at 12-0.

McCormick, who will play next year at NCAA Division I Colorado State, was a source of big kills throughout her varsity career and finished 20th on the team’s all-time list with 506 kills. If not for the COVID-19-shortened season, Tigers coach Lisa Brunstrum said she likely would have finished closer to top 10.

While wins and team titles are nice, McCormick said she’ll miss her teammates and coaches most of all.

“Some of my closest friends are on this team,” McCormick said. “I’m going to miss the chemistry and the energy that we have on the court, too. I’m going to miss everything.”

For her accomplishments, McCormick was chosen as the 2021 Northwest Herald Volleyball Player of the Year by the sports staff with input from area coaches. McCormick is the Tigers’ first Player of the Year since Megan Kelly in 2017.

Sports writer Alex Kantecki recently spoke with McCormick about her favorite high school and club volleyball memories, finishing undefeated in conference, who she models her game after and more.

How did you get your start in volleyball?

McCormick: My mom played volleyball when she was a kid. When I was growing up, she’d always go outside with me, toss the ball around and we’d pepper a little bit.

What other sports did you play growing up?

McCormick: I played basketball for two years and was not good at it at all. I played soccer for a year and I did gymnastics. I was the tallest one there always.

Do you have any rituals or superstitions before you play?

McCormick: I use the same hair tie every game. That’s been a superstition of mine for years. And the order I put my shoes on – I always have to go left first and then right. As a team, we always say an ode before every game.

Which teammates inspires you the most?

McCormick: [Senior middle blocker] Madeline Timmerman. I’ve played with her since I started. She’s the person who taught me how to jump serve in third grade. We were at recess and she was practicing against the wall and I jumped in with her. I’ve looked up to her from the beginning.

What is your most prized possession?

McCormick: Probably the necklace that my grandma gave me from the Bahamas. We went on a cruise there and she got it for me. I’ve worn it every day since.

What is your most memorable moment playing volleyball?

McCormick: For club, it would probably be my 15s year, when we triple qualified in open. That was the first time first a coach really gave me a chance, and that’s when I really stepped it up and started to play a lot better. For high school, it would definitely be going to state (in 2017). That was so fun. The atmosphere on the team that year was amazing. We all pushed each other so hard in practice. Going down state was so much fun.

What is your favorite TV show or movie?

McCormick: Grey’s Anatomy

What’s the best piece of coaching advice you’ve ever received?

McCormick: There’s lots, but I would say the best would be to stay composed on the court and just play your game, no matter what happens. That’s one of the things that I’ve been able to do really well throughout the year is play good under pressure and keep myself composed. That has stuck with me always.

If you could change one thing about volleyball, what would it be?

McCormick: Either the net calls or the line under the net, the mid-court line. If you go over that at all now, they’ll call it. I’d say change it back to only call it if it interferes with the play. That gets annoying.

What was the hardest part about this past season?

McCormick: Getting the same team atmosphere and friendships on the team. Even though a lot of us have played together, for a few of the new girls, it was harder because we weren’t really supposed to hang out and stuff. We didn’t get to have pasta parties before games. We lost that kind of stuff, but I think overall it didn’t affect us too much. We were able to stay pretty close.

What is your favorite fast food?

McCormick: There’s three I rotate between. I’d probably have to say Chick-fil-A. Chicken nuggets and fries. As basic as you can get.

What’s one match that sticks out in your memory?

McCormick: I would say the Huntley match this year or the [Crystal Lake] South game [for the FVC tournament title]. Huntley was the first game that we were pushed. We started playing a lot more to our full potential after that. South really pushed us, too. We weren’t really expecting that.

Who is your hero?

McCormick: My parents [Sarah and Geoff Hansen]. They have both been there for me, literally from the beginning. My mom has been such a huge part of my volleyball career. She always pushes me to be the best that I can. She holds really high standards for me, and that has made me hold really high standards for myself, too. I’m so grateful for her for that. Same with my dad, too.

Who is your favorite professional athlete?

McCormick: She’s not a professional, but Brooke Nuneviller. She plays for Oregon and throughout all of my volleyball career, I’ve looked up to her. She’s just such a good all-around player. I’ve studied her game and kind of tried to be like her.

Who is your favorite professional team?

McCormick: The Green Bay Packers. That’s a controversial one. My dad grew up in Wisconsin, so we’ve always been Packers fans.

Which teammate make you laugh the most?

McCormick: [Junior outside hitter] McKenna Timmerman, 100%. She comes out with a big smile everyday. She says whatever comes to her mind. She has no filter and is always so funny.

What are you looking forward to the most at Colorado State?

McCormick: Everything about it, really. Being in Colorado, it’s so beautiful there. I’m excited to experience all of it. I’m excited to play volleyball with the team. They all seem like amazing girls. I’ve met most of them, and they all seem super fun. I am excited for the competition I’ll be getting there.