Volleyball stars sign letters of intent

HUNTLEY — Four Huntley volleyball players will report to their college teams this fall as they signed National Letters of Intent at a Red Raiders ceremony Nov. 8.

Setter Laura Boberg selected University of Wisconsin-Platteville, while Morgan Jones opted for the University of Missouri;  Avery Gonzalez will attend University of Illinois-Springfield and Lizzy Williams will play volleyball at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis.

Jones, Watson and Williams were named to the All-Fox Valley Conference team as selected by the league’s head coaches. Huntley won the FVC championship with a 17-1 record, a regional title and was 31-7 overall.

“All four of these seniors have demonstrated all year, on and off the court, what it takes to play college athletics,” Naymola said. “These kids are special and will continue to be successful.”

Boberg looked back on her HHS volleyball career.

“It’s been amazing, the experience with my teammates the last three years,” Boberg said.

Boberg recorded 748 assists to lead the FVC and 172 digs.

Boberg originally was a front row player as a right side hitter.

“But my coach at Sky High Club and head coach Karen Naymola taught me about the position of setter,” Boberg said. She also thanked her parents for their support.

Other sports for Boberg included track and field and basketball until freshman year at HHS.

“Volleyball is a year-round sport, our U-18 Sky High season starts after Thanksgiving, but on breaks I like to watch TV,” she said. “But I can also crochet, I have just completed a blanket I worked on for a year. I also used to ride horseback at a stables near Marengo.”

Season recap

Naymola summed up the season, which ended in a sectional semifinal loss to Gurnee Warren.

“We obviously did not go as far as we wanted to but that’s the reality of sports,” the coach said. “We can practice lots of scenarios and skills, but you can’t prepare for injuries. Two years in a row we have unfortunately endured them. I’m proud of this team and all their successes – 30 plus wins, three seasons in a row. Could not ask for a better group and I’m excited for next year.”

Statistics leaders

Jones led the team in kills with 301, had 57 aces, 28 solo blocks, and 152 digs.

Watson, a junior, contributed 31 aces, 218 kills, and 26 blocks, despite missing some time due to injury. She announced a commitment to attend the University of Kentucky.

Lizzy Williams’ specialty was aces and she led the FVC with 68 and also had 193 kills and 158 digs.

Gonzalez finished with 52 blocks and 101 kills.

Junior middle blocker Jocelyn Erling had 94 kills and 66 blocks.