Sophomore libero Kelly Spychala scoops up a serve against the Harper College alum. (Jim Cummins)
PALATINE, Ill. – With only three practices under its belt, the Harper volleyball team faced a tough test in an exhibition match against a star-studded Harper alumni team last week. The current team dropped all six games to the alumni (17-25, 21-25, 23-25, 22-25, 22-25, 22-25), but head coach Bob Vilsoet still walked away very encouraged by his 2013 team's performance.
"There's no shame in losing close games to a team of Harper ex-players, including two All-Americans, two All-Region Players, eight All-Conference players, one varsity head coach, and an Academic All-American volleyball player," Vilsoet said. "This was the best alumni team we've ever had play the current team."
The Hawks come into the 2013 campaign ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll. Last season, the Hawks were among teams receiving votes in the preseason but finished the season with a 36-15 record and were ranked No. 5 in the nation. Vilsoet acknowledged his team has things to work on, but he saw "flashes of brilliance" and good passing from a group still getting acclimated to playing with each other.
"I guess I'm glad the alumni team won," he said. "It stands to reason that players I coached for two years and in some cases more should be better than the current team that I've only coached for three practices so far."
"There's no shame in losing close games to a team of Harper ex-players, including two All-Americans, two All-Region Players, eight All-Conference players, one varsity head coach, and an Academic All-American volleyball player," Vilsoet said. "This was the best alumni team we've ever had play the current team."
The Hawks come into the 2013 campaign ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll. Last season, the Hawks were among teams receiving votes in the preseason but finished the season with a 36-15 record and were ranked No. 5 in the nation. Vilsoet acknowledged his team has things to work on, but he saw "flashes of brilliance" and good passing from a group still getting acclimated to playing with each other.
"I guess I'm glad the alumni team won," he said. "It stands to reason that players I coached for two years and in some cases more should be better than the current team that I've only coached for three practices so far."
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