A 'Wiz' on the court

GENEVA - Teammates and coach K.C. Johnson call her 'Wiz,' shortening junior Lauren Wicinski's last name from three syllables to one.

"It just makes it easier when I have to communicate with her on the court if it's shorter," said Johnson.

Watch her play and you figure they spell it 'Whiz.' That's what Wicinski is on the volleyball court, thanks to a strong all-around game.

Either way, it's a kick for her dad, Geneva football coach Rob Wicinski.

"It cracks me up because that was my nickname (growing up)," he said. "I hear it and my head snaps around. It was my father's nickname, too."

Lauren Wicinski's name is coming up a lot these days.

"She's receiving lots of D-I attention and should be one of the elite players in the state this season," Johnson said.

A 6-foot-1 outside hitter, Wicinski smacks down kills with the ferocity of a blitzing linebacker zooming in to sack an unprotected quarterback from the blind side.

Hmmm, maybe that's not surprising. She is the daughter of two former NCAA Division I athletes.

Rob was a linebacker on the football team at Northern Illinois University. That's where he met his wife, Gina, who was an outside hitter on the Huskies' volleyball team.

"It's exciting, because she's got a lot of opportunities," said Gina, who is a school nurse in St. Charles. "We'll take some visits this fall. She'll play club (ball) in the spring and, by summer, probably make a decision.

"It's hard when you're 16, though. You're just excited being able to drive."

Lauren Wicinski is in her third year on the Geneva varsity. She led the team in kills last year and probably will again this year.

"She's an amazing hitter," said senior Taylor Whitley, in her third year playing alongside Wicinski on the Viking varsity.

"She can hit so hard. They don't return many."

Wicinski had 46 kills in five matches last weekend, earning all-tournament honors as the Vikings won the title at Glenbard West.

"She's pretty special," Johnson said. "She just jumps up over people and hits it. But she's also one of the most well-rounded players we've had."

The Vikings had two Division I players graduate from last year's 28-win team but haven't missed a beat with new setter, junior Megan Odenthal, who moved from right-side hitter.

"I've always been a setter, so it's definitely more comfortable for me," said Odenthal, whose transition with Wicinski and her other hitters appears seamless after a 14-1 start.

"Lauren is really versatile. We play on different club teams so there was an adjustment period, learning what she likes best. But now, we're connecting really well."

Gina Wicinski says she sees big improvement from last year to this year in both her daughter and teammate Kelsey Augustine, a junior middle hitter for the Vikings.

"I think the difference has been huge," she said. "Lauren and Kelsey played on their club team's 18-under gold team as 15-year-olds and they had to step up playing alongside girls with a higher volleyball IQ who were much stronger physically."

Rob and Gina have two younger daughters. Eighth-grader Jessica plays two sports and sixth-grader Kelsey plays three.

"Balancing football and volleyball as the seasons get further along and more intense gets tricky," Rob said. "Then add the younger ones, and it's like zone defense in full effect.

"But I've enjoyed seeing Lauren's growth and maturity. In fact, the perspective of athlete's parent has totally changed me as a coach."

He says he's much more aware of the balancing of time for studies, club sports and high school sports his players and their parents deal with.

"I don't know if it's made me a better coach but I'd say I'm more sensitive and much more aware. And I think it's given me a little more patience."

His wife chuckles at that.

"It's funny, because he has such control of football," she said. "But for volleyball, you sit in the parents' section, your heart in your throat. It puts it in perspective. We really now understand what other parents are going through."

Rob also enjoys another view.

"It's cool for me watching my wife's and Lauren's dialogue," he said.

"As far as volleyball is concerned, I know enough to be dangerous. But heck, I mispronounced 'libero' up until last year.

"It's interesting for me to hear them talk. They'll be saying things and I haven't got a clue what they're talking about when they start getting into the intricacies of the game. But that's OK."

Besides, as a dad, finer points aren't always necessary. Take last week when he saw her knock down 11 kills and make seven digs in an early-season Western Conference showdown with Sycamore that resulted in a 25-22, 25-22 win.

And as a coach, he knows that feeling.

So what's it like for Lauren, having her dad working in the same building all day?

"I like it. There's ups and downs, but I like it," said Lauren.

The best thing?

"He can always come and watch my (home) games and that's really nice," she said. "When I was in middle school, he'd be coaching football and wouldn't always be able to come out."

The worst?

"Well-l-l-l," she said, rolling her eyes and smiling. "He's always there."

And, fortunately for her, always will be. Girls Volleyball Focus