Willis helps Scots volleyball advance

HUNTLEY — A recent Huntley volleyball standout and a teammate from Marian Central helped lead their college team to the second round of post-season action.

Huntley alumna Emily Willis described her team as ready for the post-season. McHenry County College advanced in the Region IV tournament with the first round win Nov. 1 as they swept Illinois Valley, 25-23, 25-21, 25-15.

“We are super motivated and had amazing practices,” Willis said.

Willis contributed six kills and 11 digs against Illinois Valley. She helped set up the second set win with a kill. Nick led the Scots with 10 kills and nine digs.

“Nick was amazing. She has so many what we call ‘cherry bombers’,” Willis said.

Valle Leggett was happy when Nick decided to play at MCC this season. Nick was a senior when she was a freshman at Marian Central.

“She (Nick) is like a second sister for me,” Valle Legett, whose sister Lilli Legett is the team’s setter, said. “We’re very motivated. We set team goals of winning the region and national tournaments.”

“Nick had some of the best swings of her career tonight,” MCC coach Kyle McCall said. “She showed why she is a first team All Region IV player.”

MCC, 26-9 record and winners of seven straight matches, advanced to the Region IV quarterfinals at Madison College in Madison, Wis. Nov. 4. The Scots finished ninth in the NJCAA National Tournament last season in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Nick was joined as an All-Region honoree by Valle Leggett and Lilli Leggett. Nick was also honored as Skyway Conference First Team while the Leggetts and Alexis Schwartz were named to the second team.

Duyos update

One of Willis’ teammates at Huntley, Maggie Duyos, is a freshman setter for the D-1 Austin Peay State University Lady Governors. Recent statistics show Duyos has played in 45 sets, with 166 assists and nine aces. The Lady Governors, based in Clarksville, TN., are 10-16, 3-10 American Sun Conference. Duyos is from Lake in the Hills.