July 6, 2009

School has come to a close and we are going full tilt into summer. As a team we finished our academic year on a high note. We increased our team GPA up to a 3.35 and the girls have set their goals even higher for the 2009-2010 year.

Summer work outs are going well and I am seeing tremendous gains in speed, strength and power. The girls have really made a commitment to develop into the best that they can be.

We are adding four new faces to the Maroon Volleyball Family.

Gabby Blackwell, a sophomore basketball player at Chicago,  will be a wonderful addition to our team. She played this past Spring Season with us and I expect great things out of her.

Kathryn Trela comes to us from Glencoe, IL. She is a 6’1” Middle Blocker and is thinking about studying the areas of math or science.

Caroline Brander is also a local from River Forest, IL. She is a 6’0” Middle Blocker that is going to be studying Pre-Med. Both of these Middles have a great opportunity to see some quality time in their frist year on campus.

Finally we have Samantha Brown from Louisville, KY. She is a libero and will bring outstanding ball control to our team. She is still undecided in her area of study.

I expect wonderful things from our entire incoming freshman. I know that they are working hard and are very excited about the new chapter in their life and they are even more excited about becoming a new member of our Chicago Volleyball Family.

-Coach Walby