Volleyball squad celebrates coach
HUNTLEY — A The Huntley volleyball team gathered near the center of Prairie Ridge’s court after a quick 2-0 Fox Valley Conference victory over the Wolves.
Head coach Karen Naymola had the smile of a milestone accomplished Sept. 5, as she accepted flowers to mark her 500th volleyball coaching win.
“I’m emotional because we were able to get No. 500 when my daughters, Lizzy and Abby Whitehouse, are on the team,” Naymola said. “I was extremely fortunate to get a head coaching job when I was young. Volleyball has always been a part of my life.”
Naymola mentioned Wolves head coach Hillary Agnello as one of her best friends in the sport.
“I’ve known Hillary since we were 14 or 15 playing for SkyHigh volleyball in Crystal Lake. We talk four or five times a day but it’s not about volleyball,” Naymola said.
“When you play Huntley, you’re playing against their reputation as well. I’m very happy for coach Naymola,” Agnello said.
Naymola, who played volleyball at Cary-Grove High School, went on to play collegiately at Eastern Illinois University. Then she coached at Hampshire for eight years, and the Whip-Purs were second in Class 2A in 2007-08. She has coached at Huntley since 2012-13, and HHS has won seven straight regionals, three sectional titles, and seven straight FVC crowns.
“We have always had great players who were very polite,” Naymola said.
Several players have gone on to D-1 volleyball programs. Senior Georgia Watson will add her name to that list when she plays volleyball at the University of Kentucky next season. Also, Class of 2023 alum Morgan Jones is on the University of Missouri squad.
After the acknowledgement, it’s back to the FVC battles for the Red Raiders. Underclassmen contributed in a 25-16, 25-15 win over Prairie Ridge for a 4-1, 3-1 FVC record. Hampshire, the school where Naymola started her coaching career, was next up, Sept. 10 at HHS.
Against Prairie Ridge, who came in tied with Huntley at 2-1 FVC, leaders were: Abby Whitehouse with 11 assists, two digs, one kill and one ace. Also, Emily Ernst pitched in five assists and three aces; Summer Massow had three kills; Alex Goritz pitched in three digs.
