Kaneland’s Maddie Buckley can be an imposing presence at the net.
It’s not surprising the 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter leads the Knights in kills, averaging 9.4 per match.
But Buckley, a Ball State recruit, is no one-trick pony.
“She’s improved tremendously since her sophomore year, when she played right side for me,” Kaneland coach Cynthia Violett said. “She didn’t pass and wasn’t very good at it. I had a couple other outside hitters at that time who were pretty good.”
Those players were seniors, however.
“I told Maddie, ‘They’re graduating. I need you outside next season,'” Violett recalled. “She worked really hard in the offseason with club and with a trainer to work on her passing and the timing for the outside hit.
“I said, ‘I’m going to play you six rotations. I’m not taking you out in the back row. I expect you to pass and even attack in the back row.’ Why would I take that attack out if I don’t have to? She worked really hard.”
It has paid off for Kaneland (13-1).
Buckley, whose father, Jason, is West Aurora’s athletic director, has become a good passer and is much improved in serve-receive. She averages 3.9 digs, 1.2 blocks and an ace.
“We have good stats, but not necessarily great,” Violett said. “But most of our matches have been two games.”
Only twice have the Knights been extended to three games in a match as they pursue another Interstate Eight Conference title. Kaneland went 14-0 in league play during the abbreviated season earlier this year.
“We’re excited to see where this season is going to go,” Buckley said. “Last year we were 15-1 (overall). That was pretty big for this program, and we hope to keep progressing.”
Leading the way with Buckley is senior setter Meghan O’Sullivan, another third-year varsity player and a Grand Valley State recruit. They also have been Club Fusion teammates since they were 13.
“We’ve been playing together a long time, so we’re pretty close,” O’Sullivan said. “It’s easy to communicate with each other and also with Mackenzie Ewen, our libero this year.”
Ewen, who transferred from Wheaton St. Francis, also has been a club teammate with Buckley and O’Sullivan.
“It’s a very good connection from passing to setting to hitting,” O’Sullivan said.
O’Sullivan averages 13.2 assists, and Ewen averages team highs of 8.7 digs and 1.8 aces.
“Maddie and Meghan are the biggest leaders for me,” Violett said. “They know when I’m not happy with something and how to change it. That’s a huge jelling part.
“Mackenzie has really solidified the back row for us.”
Violett also gets excellent production from 5-7 senior outside hitter Bella Rio. She averages 6.9 kills, which is second on the team.
“Bella has taken some huge strides, especially establishing her leadership role on and off the court,” Buckley said. “I think she’s done a tremendous job. I’m excited to see what the future holds for her too.”
Buckley will follow Kaneland graduate Ellie Dunn to Ball State. Dunn, who graduated from the Mid-American Conference university in 2019, was named first-team all-conference during her senior season under Ball State coach Kelli Miller Phillips.
“The coach knows our program, and that’s helpful,” Violett said. “Ewen can go to the next level too. She recently visited Central Michigan and is interested in Oregon State. Bella Rio will go somewhere too. She has to find a school that fits her well. She’s got the power, but she’s a little short for some of these Division I schools.”
Meanwhile, the Knights are focused on improving to get better prepared for the Class 3A postseason. The Illinois High School Association didn’t sponsor playoffs last season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Violett entered Kaneland in the Wheaton North and West Aurora tournaments, and the Knights will host a tournament this weekend normally hosted by Batavia, giving them more Class 4A competition. They also will play in the Woodstock North Tournament later in the season.
“It was kind of sad last season,” O’Sullivan said. “It was like normal, and then it was done with no playoffs. We know we have a pretty talented team with a lot going for us.”
Violett agrees.
“They have high goals, and they want to go down to Illinois State (for the state finals),” Violett said. “They’re a team that can do it if they really want to.”
