ROCHELLE — When Ali VanVickle heard that Kiskwaukee Community College was bringing back its volleyball program after a one-year hiatus, the Rochelle Township High School graduate didn’t hesitate to climb aboard.

VanVickle will be one of several new players suiting up for the Kougars this fall, with the former Lady Hub outside hitter signing her National Letter of Intent earlier this month alongside her parents Brian and Marla, Rochelle head coach John Pfaff and Kiskwaukee head coach Emily Bodmer. VanVickle said she’s looking forward to continuing her athletic career, and she said she thinks she’ll find her rhythm right away.

“I’m excited to start playing at a higher level with a new set of teammates,” VanVickle said. “There’s going to be tougher competition, but with the training our team has been doing this summer I think we’ll be ready for the challenge this upcoming year… I think Kishwaukee is going to be a good fit because it’s close to home and all of the girls have the same want and drive as I do.”

One of four seniors on the Lady Hubs varsity volleyball team this past season, VanVickle led the group in kills and served as Rochelle’s primary offensive weapon. While the Lady Hubs didn’t have much success as a team, there were plenty of highlights throughout the season including two victories over the Ottawa Lady Pirates.

“Beating Ottawa twice in one season was something I hadn’t done in my first two years on varsity so that was a great feeling,” VanVickle said. “The Superfans being brought back also made the season much more fun for the whole team.”

As VanVickle gets ready for her first college season, she’ll be aiming to be more vocal while continuing to rely on her ability to predict opposing players’ movements. One of the Lady Hubs’ weaknesses this past season was unforced errors, and the RTHS graduate will be looking to avoid any mental mistakes when she takes the floor with her Kougar teammates.

“I think I can read other players well,” she said. “That’s important in this sport because you have to be able to tell if the player is going to tip or hit at you, where you need to be on the court and how you’re going to react to put your team in the best position to score… I think I get so focused on the game and the fundamentals that I forget to communicate with my teammates and that can cause some errors.”

The Lady Hubs appear primed for a step forward this fall after the sophomore volleyball team turned in a solid performance this past season. With several returning varsity players and a core of successful rising juniors, VanVickle offered some positive words of encouragement as Rochelle’s new squad prepares for action in the coming months.

“I think I’ll miss the coaches, my teammates and the traditions,” she said. “My advice for the future and current girls is to cheer loudly, to work harder than you cheer and to never let the ball hit the floor without putting in the effort. Always wear your jersey with pride.”