High school volleyball notes: Huntley’s Avary DeBlieck finds right college fit at Miami

Huntley’s Avary DeBlieck has come a long way.

“She was in eighth grade coming into our summer camps,” Huntley volleyball coach Karen Naymola said of her first memories of DeBlieck. “She was like this 6-foot eight-grader that would walk into the gym and trip. She’s developed into such an incredible athlete, and it’s not a surprise.

“She’s a great kid. She’s a great team leader. She cheers, even louder when her teammates get a kill. She’s just such a positive person and hard worker.”

Since getting her start in volleyball in the third grade, DeBlieck, a 6-foot-3 middle hitter, has grown into a starring role for the Red Raiders. The talented junior announced two weeks ago that she will continue her athletic and academic career at NCAA Division I Miami.

DeBlieck traveled to the Atlantic Coast Conference school in Coral Gables, Florida, at the beginning of August and again for an official visit the weekend of Aug. 20. The Hurricanes finished 11-7 last season, going 9-7 in the ACC. Miami is looking for its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018.

“I really liked their volleyball program and the medical school program,” DeBlieck said. “For recruiting, academics have been super important to me. They have a really strong sense of community, which is something that’s very important to me. Their coaches are so amazing, and they really value and cherish family.”

“It was super exciting to get that offer because they’re such an amazing school. It’s so surreal and amazing. I’m just so happy to start this journey with them.”

DeBlieck is one of the Raiders’ top attackers and most versatile players, Naymola said. Near the end of the COVID-19-shortened spring season, in which the Raiders went 7-7, she could not swing fully because of a rotator cuff injury. There have been no limitations in the fall.

Huntley (4-0) is one of two teams, along with Crystal Lake South, to start 3-0 in the FVC.

“When the game’s on the line, we’re going to feed her the ball as much as we can,” Naymola said. “She can swing from the outside. She runs the quick ... she runs the slide really well. She’s a player we can spread all over the court.

DeBlieck plays on the same Sky High travel volleyball team with her high school teammates, junior setter Maggie Duyos and junior outside hitter Ally Panzloff, so the familiarity there is very helpful.

“It’s been nice building connections with schools and being able to meet new people,” DeBlieck said. “Playing other people at the college level has been so amazing. I think the experience has helped me grow a lot, and I really owe it to my coaches, my teammates, my friends and my family. They really helped me get to where I am and helped my dreams come true.”

Leading by example: Hampshire senior middle blocker Jacey Lambert has proven to a big leader for the Whip-Purs, who are looking to break into the upper half of the FVC this fall after going 4-5 in conference play last season.

Lambert led the team Tuesday night with eight kills in a two-set loss to Crystal Lake South as Hampshire (2-2) has alternated wins and losses to start the year. The Whips had a strong finish during the spring, with the team taking fourth at the FVC tournament and going 8-7 overall.

Hampshire coach Will Benenhaley has seen Lambert step up in big spots the past two seasons.

“She just brings a lot of positivity,” Benenhaley said. “She’s our captain, and she does a lot for this team. I feel at times she’s got to carry a lot because they all look up to her. They’re expecting her to put that ball down when they can’t.”

Benenhaley said the Whips are learning a new offense, one that requires players to be versatile and open-minded about their roles.

“I basically just told everyone, I don’t care what position you play,” Benenhaley said. “If you think you’re an outside, you’re not. If you think you’re a middle, you’re not. You guys are going to be everything. I’m asking them to do a lot. They’re learning everything brand new from step one, from serve receive to our offense. This is something they’re not really used to, and they’re doing a wonderful job of what I’m asking them to do.”

Johnson takes over at CLC: Amy Johnson, a 2002 Cary-Grove graduate, took over for Lisa Brunstrum, whose teams had 31 or more wins in six of nine seasons, and earned her first career head coaching win Tuesday with a 27-25, 20-25, 25-18 win over her alma mater.

Johnson, who started four years at Kentucky, might be in her first year as head coach, but she has plenty of experience in the FVC. Johnson played for and then coached under C-G coach Patty Langanis from 2006 to 2009. She also coached under Brunstrum at Central for a handful of years.

With four children, Johnson wasn’t looking for a head coaching position. But life events made it possible for her to step back on the court.

“To be truthful, nothing like this was on my radar,” she said. “With some things that happened with COVID, my husband quit his job to go back to school. I’m just so honored to be a part of a program with such a rich tradition. With my husband able to be home with the kids, it was perfect timing.”

The Tigers are off to a 1-2 start after going undefeated in the FVC during the spring and winning the FVC tournament. Central lost the majority of its starters but returns seniors McKenna Timmerman, Mary Grace Gallagher and Lauren Klutke.

Johnson knows first hand how difficult the FVC can be.

“You can’t take anyone lightly,” Johnson said. “I’m excited to be able to scout opponents and try to put our best match out there every single night. You have to respect every opponent in this conference. There are wonderful coaches and programs that are elite programs, and you’ve got to come out and give it your best shot. People are going to knock each other off. It happens every year.”