Iron volleyball opened the 2024 season 4-2 in non-conference play, showcasing a new offensive scheme and well-rounded roster. 

After last season’s frustrating season-ending loss to the Minooka Indians, finishing the year 25-12, head coach Ms. Christine Konopasek and the Ironmen shifted the program’s offensive strategy. 

After employing a five-one offense last season, this year, the Iron are running a six-two offense, featuring two setters.

The change comes as a result of the team’s depth at setter, as the Iron boast three setters who are “fighting for time,” Konopasek said. Junior Sam Lakamp and freshman Evie Mounce have seen the majority of reps at setter so far this season for the Community.

The offensive change, Konopasek said, offers the team “flexibility” and seems to be paying off.

“We’re doing some things this year,” the 15-year head coach said she doesn’t think the team could have done last season.

That includes avenging last season’s loss to Minooka. 

In Community’s opening tournament of the season, Plainfield North’s Mizuno Crimson Classic, the Iron handed Minooka a 2-0 defeat. 

“That was probably the best match that we played this season so far,” Konopasek said.

The Iron handed the Indians a resounding 25-13, 25-16 defeat, tallying five aces and hitting .290 in the contest. 

Community went 3-2 in the tournament, defeating Neuqua Valley 2-0 and Riverside-Brookfield 2-1 and falling to Marist 2-1 and St. Charles North 2-1.

The Marist RedHawks, Konopasek said, are “generally, top five, top 10 in the state;” they are a formidable program that has, at times, been nationally ranked. 

Community faced the ’Hawks on the first night of the season, taking the perennial powerhouse to three sets. 

At times, the Iron could “frustrate” Marist, Konopasek said. 

Alana Whitfield recorded nine kills and seven digs against the RedHawks, and Maggie Michaels tallied five kills and six digs. 

In their loss to St. Charles, the Iron again took the contest to three sets, facing off against Haley Burgdorf, a 6-foot Penn State commit.

“We were close,” against the North Stars, Konopasek said, falling 15-12 in the final set. “Last year, I don’t know that we’re getting to the third set, let alone being close to winning.”

Whitfield, a Michigan State verbal commit, had eight kills, two aces and a block against St. Charles North while Michaels led the team with seven digs, performances which helped earn the duo All-Tournament honors.  

The junior Whitfield “is super explosive,” Konopasek said, hitting .209 on the season.

Michaels is hitting .211 after six games, despite a position change, transitioning to the Iron’s left side, with sophomore Liv Gerriets stepping into the team’s right-side hitter role.

Michaels has made the transition smoothly.

“At least one of the matches we played in our opening weekend, we won because of her,” the veteran coach said. “She was an offensive power.”

Maggie wasn’t the only Michaels’ sister to stand out in the season-opening tournament.

“There was a game where Lauren Michaels carried us,” Konopasek said of the defensive specialist, “she served maybe six or seven points. Then the next day, served six or seven points” and “had two really great defensive efforts for us.”

The 2024 volleyball roster, the coach said, is “pretty well rounded.” 

“I don’t think that we’re going to be dependent on one player to do all the work,” a luxury that the coach expects will provide each player “opportunities to shine.”

“Anyone could have a really good game at any point,” Konopasek said.

That well-rounded roster features just three seniors in the starting rotation: middle Maia Olson and captains Mya Blumenshine and Sydney Janssen.

After six matches, Konopasek is already celebrating the upperclassmen’s leadership.

“They have done a really solid job of trying to raise the bar,” Konopasek said, “hold[ing] underclassmen accountable, com[ing] in and work[ing] hard every day.”

Blumenshine, an anchor in the team’s back row, is the team’s “vocal” leader, Konopasek said, while Janssen provides an emotional spark.

The pair has been instrumental in helping Community develop mental toughness in the face of adversity, Konopasek said. 

And while adversity may have broken the team last season, they haven’t yet this campaign.

Community improved to 4-2 on the season in Sept. 3’s home opener, defeating Moline 2-1 and winning the third set 27-25.

The Iron, the coach said, “rallied and they fought. I think that there were times last year where we would have probably conceded that game.”

“Finishing those tough, tight games early,” Konopasek said, “can only make it so that we’re better prepared for pressure situations as we continue on with the season.”

Front loading the schedule is just one way the Iron have strategized to see success this season. The team has scheduled after a ten-day intermission with one goal: improvement.

“We have focused a lot on individual skill in this time off,” Konopasek said. 

“The girls know what they’re having a hard time with”-and that is what practice has been devoted to: skills like fundamental hitting, serve-receive and blocking.

The Iron, Konopasek said, are “itching” to get back on the court Sep. 13 when they take on Bolingbrook, Lyons and Sandburg in tournament action.