Collinsville hopes to turn close losses into wins

With the exception of a few matches, the Collinsville volleyball team was  competitive in most of its matches in 2011. But as coach Tracy Plagemann knows,  competitive doesn’t always translate into successful.

Collinsville was 15-19, losing to Belleville West in a first-round Class 4A  regional match.

“Last year was a mixed bag for us - there were some games we should have won,  but we didn’t,” Plagemann said. “I was a little disappointed because I felt we  should have done better.”

Graduation losses included outside hitters Casey Kuechle and Brooke Pruett,  libero Jessica Fletcher and setter Caitlin Condray, but the Kahoks still have a  solid group of returning players. Collinsville took a 2-0 record into Monday’s  home match against Carlyle, with wins over Nashville on Aug. 21 and Centralia on  Thursday.

“I think the Centralia match showed that experience can make a difference for  us,” Plagemann said. “We came out and won the first game pretty handily, but in  the second game we had a lull like you sometimes see in volleyball.

“Last year we may have let that get to us, but the girls calmly grinded it  out and came back to win. We didn’t panic and a lot of that was due to our  seniors.”

The senior contingent includes libero/defensive specialist Sam Stephens,  defensive specialist Katie Hunsinger, right side Meg Votoupal, outside/middle  hitter Cami Davis, outside hitters Kristen Ruffcorn and Sarah Rendleman and  middle/outside hitter Katie McCarthy. Rendleman and McCarthy are the team  captains.

“Katie McCarthy was third team Southwestern Conference last year and she’s a  gamer,” Plagemann said. “She’s quick on the ball and good at finding (open)  spots and she’s already had some success this year.

“Sarah Rendleman has not played for us yet because she broke her foot during  the summer, but she got released (by her doctor) this week and we’re hoping to  see her back in action soon. She was a middle hitter, but we switched her to the  outside midway through last season and she did really well, so we’re keeping her  there.

“Sam Stephens played solid for us last year and does a really nice job on  serve receive. She was a defensive specialist, but we’re moving her to libero.  She’s stepping up and taking a leadership role on defense.”

Plagemann is equally enthused about the other seniors.

“Meg Votoupal has great hands on the right side and her hitting has really  come on this year,” Plagemann said. “Katie Hunsinger had limited experience, but  she’s stepping into a DS role.

“Kristen Ruffcorn, Cami Davis and (junior) Renee Locandro have been splitting  time on the outside and it’s a good competition. They all have their strong  suits and it seems like every game, someone different is stepping up.”

The seniors, like their coach, are anxious to see what the team can do this  season.

“We’re working more on defense and playing as a team and staying together  through the whole game,” McCarthy said. “Last year I was injured most of the  season - I was able to play, but I wasn’t 100 percent. Being healthy should help  me a lot.”

“This year we have a lot of strong girls and everyone gets along - we don’t  have any drama,” Rendleman said. “We have a lot of heart and every game, we’re  out to win.”

Junior Sabrina Flohr returns at setter, with junior Cathy Schreiber at middle  hitter.

“Last year she ran a 6-2 (offense), but this year we’re also doing some 5-1,” Plagemann. “We’re still kind of feeling that out and she’s been doing a fabulous  job of spreading the offense.

“We used Cathy on the right side last year, but this year we moved her to the  middle. She’s also playing all the way around.”

Junior Lauren Chiarelli will be the second setter in the 6-2 offense and  junior right side hitter Lauren Witte could also be part of the rotation.  Rounding out the roster are freshman outside hitter Ellie McCarthy and junior  outside hitter Danielle Slusher.

Collinsville was scheduled to play Tuesday at Freeburg and will play Friday  and Saturday in the Tiger Classic at Edwardsville.

“I would like to see this group win more of those close games,” Plagemann  said. “I think there’s a lot of potential here and I’ve talked to the girls  about expectations. I think we’re a little scrappier than we’ve been in the  past.

“I’d like to see us finish a little higher in the conference. I also want us  to have more success in tournaments and in the postseason.”