Volleyball squad vets select colleges

HUNTLEY — Three Huntley volleyball senior players, of nine Class of 2025 members, had various impacts on this year’s success.

Georgia Watson, Mari Rodriquez and Jocelyn Erling will continue their careers next year in college. They helped lead the Red Raiders to reach the IHSA State semifinals and the team returned with a fourth place trophy and a 32-10 final record.

Just before the team’s departure to Illinois State University’s CEFCU  Arena, Watson and Rodriquez signed their letters of intent.

Watson selected to commit to the University of Kentucky, a D-1 Southeast Conference school. Rodriquez is going west to Upper Iowa University, a D-II school in Fayette, Iowa. Erling is staying close to home to play for junior college Harper’s squad.

HHS head volleyball coach Karen Naymola spoke of the example Watson  has set for the youngest volleyball players in Huntley.

“In our house, we play ‘chair volleyball’, in our dining room,” Naymola said at the HHS event. “The other day, my 8-year-old daughter, Kylie, spiked one over the chairs pretty hard. She turned to me and said, ‘that was like Georgia. I want to be like Georgia when I get older’.”

Naymola is pretty sure that similar instances are probably taking place all over District 158.

“I am 100 percent OK with that,” the head coach continued. “Because Watson is exactly that, an unbelievable role model for not just little kids. She is humble, dedicated and just an all-around great athlete. It’s easy for an outsider to see her height (6-foot, 3-inches) and assume she is a D-I commit, but I always say what makes her truly unique are the things that go unnoticed. That’s her dedication to (weight) lifting and strength training on her own. The way she lifts teammates up – it is her heart, humility and constant drive.”

Watson finished with a huge 418 kills total, almost five per set. She also had 149 digs and 51 aces.

Mari Rodriquez

Volleyball is indeed a family effort for Mari Rodriquez. She played youth volleyball and was at many HHS practices, where her mon Chrissy coached the junior varsity team. Plus, grandfather Dennis attends almost all Red Raider matches.

Serving up aces is Rodriquez’s specialty with a team-best 55 and 219 points (pre state semifinal). She also had 132 digs.

“I have known Rodriquez since she was a little girl running around the gym with even more energy than she has now,” Naymola said.

“Unlike most little kids, she wanted to watch volleyball,” the coach said. “She’s now as a future college student-athlete. I am not surprised at all. Her love and passion for the game are unlike any other (player). She has been an amazing teammate and is a captain. It is truly impressive to see an athlete who knows how to balanced having fun and being focused. Her ability to switch gears is a valuable trait. It shows not only her skill but her msturity and understanding of what it takes to be a great team player.”

Jocelyn Erling

Erling led the way in blocking with 74 prior to the state tournament.

“I have known Erling since she was in sixth grade,” Naymola said. “So it has been a privelage to watch her develop into this fierce middle blocker. She has the versatility to play any position which makes her unique and a valuable asset to any program. I think she is going to be very sucessful at Harper and will have an amazing college career. I am so happy for her.”