Willis keeps love of volleyball going
HUNTLEY — Last season, Emily Willis was assisting the Huntley volleyball team run through the Fox Valley Conference season undefeated, as well as gain Class 4A Regional and Sectional championships.
This season, Willis is a freshman contributing to the McHenry County College Scots, a junior college power building for another run at the NJCAA Volleyball National Tournament. MCC, under the direction of Kyle McCall, finished ninth at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa nationals.
“Willis is doing well,” McCall said. “She has moved into the starting role on the right side for us.”
Willis is averaging 1.70 kills per set, with 331 total attacks, 97 total kills and 80 total digs. She contributed 12 digs and six kills as the Scots beat College of Lake County, 25-21, 25-12 and 25-13 for a Skyway Conference win Oct. 4. The victory improved MCC to 19-7.
Her Red Raiders coach praised Willis’ dedication to the sport.
“Willis is always a positive person and a good kid. She’ll do whatever you ask,” Huntley coach Karen Naymola said.
MCC went undefeated at Grand Rapids, Mich., tournament. Highlights for Willis included 10 kills and five digs in a 3-0 sets win over Macomb. She also had four kills and 10 digs in a 3-2 victory over Southwestern Michigan.
McCall spoke of team goals for the rest of the season.
“We look to return to the NJCAA National Tournament this year,” McCall said. “Our regional starts Nov. 1 and there is a good chance we will be hosting. Then the regional finals will be at Madison College, Nov. 4 and 5, respectively.”
“It’s an amazing environment,” Willis said of Scots volleyball. “Our goal is to win nationals.”
Prior to the start of the season, McCall explained his philosophy of junior college sports.
“At the junior college level, every new year is different,” McCall said. “We have a saying around here, ‘every week is a big week.’ Also, we don’t sweat the small stuff.”
Instead, it’s about building for the NJCAA regional, where MCC has advanced 11 times and the NJCAA, also an 11-time appearances for the Scots. MCC was 31-12 en route to a ninth-place finish last year, the second time MCC reached ninth.
McCall said the team plays very tough non-conference teams.
Sophomores on the team are outside hitter Izzy Nick, one of three Marian Central grads, who also played for MCC in 2019; sisters Valle Legett at outside hitter and Lilli Legett; Kaitlyn Keefe, defensive specialist, who attended Illinois State University. Also, Lizzy Muschong, outside hitter, from Westminster HS. McHenry grads are sophomore middle blocker Abbie Honkala and defensive specialist Kendall Krumsee. Another Fox Valley Conference prep standout is freshman setter Amanda Schaffer from Jacobs.
