Vikings' dominance started with Wicinski on the outside
The kid may have been a thorn in her side the last four years, but Lori Trippi-Payne appreciates talent, even if it's on the other side of the net.
"Good choice," was the first reaction of the veteran Batavia volleyball coach upon learning that Geneva standout Lauren Wicinski was named The Beacon-News' Player of the Year.
(Donnell Collins/For Sun-Times Media)
This is the fourth installment of The Beacon-News' fall awards series. Earlier, Somonauk's Jessica Schultz and Kaneland's Hayley Guyton were named Co-Players of the Year in girls golf. Marmion's Tim Johnson was named Player of the Year in boys golf, and Rosary's Emily Reuland earned the honor in girls tennis. Still to come are the winners in boys soccer, boys cross country, girls cross country, girls swimming and diving, and football. If you missed any of the awards that have been unveiled, you can find them at beaconnewsonline.com/sports .
"Geneva had a lot of talent on their team, but (Wicinski) was a difference-maker."
The 6-foot-1-inch outside hitter put up big numbers that illustrate the strength of her all-around game as she helped lead the Vikings to a 35-3 record and second straight Western Sun Conference title, this time with a perfect 14-0 mark. She also earned league MVP honors for the second straight year.
Wicinski posted an area-best 356 kills on 515 attempts for a .691 hitting percentage.
"That's pretty bizarre, seven out of 10, we get a point," Geneva coach K.C. Johnsen said. "We've always said a .300 hitter in volleyball is like a .300 hitter in baseball, but (.691) is ridiculous."
She also had 238 digs, 37 blocks, 181 service points with 63 aces and a passing rating of 2.39 on a 3.0 scale.
"Phenomenal player," Kaneland coach Todd Weimer said. "She plays very selflessly and is not arrogant. She's outgoing and confident, the kind of player you'd love to have."
Her kill total topped her nearest area rival -- Batavia junior Caitlin Piechota (293) -- by 63, but was down from last season's school-record mark of 380.
"We had more two-game matches this year," Johnsen said. "All 14 of our conference wins were in two games. That changes the stats some if you don't have many three-game matches.
"Her kill total is still the second biggest total we've ever had (in a season). She was pretty dominating."
Now she'll take her act to Northern Illinois University, where her mom, Gina, played volleyball and her dad, Rob, played football.
"She has all the components to be one of the better players in the Mid-American Conference," said NIU assistant Coley Pawlikowski, who also happens to be Johnsen's daughter and the coach of Wicinski's Kane County Junior club team. "It's special that her parents have a legacy at NIU as athletes and it's an exciting opportunity for her to carry that on."
Said Huskies coach Ray Gooden: "I think Lauren has a very high volleyball IQ. She has a very good chance of making an immediate contribution to our program."
But first there will be one last hectic winter, during which she will pull double duty by playing high school basketball and maintaining her club volleyball commitment.
"There are times I have to stop and look at my schedule to make sure I know where I'm supposed to be," Wicinski said. "It makes for some busy days. But I've enjoyed (club) because you learn to deal with different personalities, and I don't think (Gooden) minds that I play basketball. I think he likes that I play two sports. There was no doubt in my mind that I'd play my last year (of basketball)."
Likewise, a good choice.
