On September 14, the Lake Land College volleyball team had a home game against Rend Lake College. They lost in 5 sets, but we can’t wait to see them turn it around and bring home some W’s for Lake Land.

There are 12 sophomores and 3 freshmen, rounding out the team with a total of 15 girls. Of these talented 15 girls, there are 4 outside hitters, 5 defensive specialists, 3 middle blockers, 4 setters and 1 opposite hitter. The 4 outside hitters are Ayriana Adams-Pender, a sophomore from Decatur, IL; Andressa Morais Borges, a sophomore from Sao Paulo, Brazil; Mackinzee Reynolds, a sophomore from Stewardson, IL; and Erica Michels a sophomore from Teutopolis, IL. Our 5 defensive specialists are Nickeal Clark, a sophomore from Cahokia, IL; Madison Watret, a sophomore from Waverly, IL; Kelsi Geltz, a sophomore from Newton, IL; Brayer Denton, a freshman from Pana, IL; and Malorie Craig, a sophomore from Clay City, IL. The three middle blockers are Anna Morton, a freshman from Mattoon, IL; Ashlyn Jones, a sophomore from Casey, IL; and Alondra Aldarondo Perez, a sophomore from Corozal, Puerto Rico. Our 4 setters include Abby Kallis, a sophomore from Charleston, IL; Lara Caldeira, a sophomore from Brazil, South America; Xylia Greeson, a freshman from Mattoon, IL; and Malorie Craig, who doubles as a defensive specialist. Our one and only opposite hitter for this season is Erica Michels, who doubles as an outside hitter.

Head coach Ashli Wicker has been with Lake Land volleyball for a few years. She started as a player in 2007, then became assistant coach in 2010, and became head coach in 2018. “[COVID-19] presents a challenge every day,” says coach Wicker. The athletics department is working with the guidelines to try and keep everyone safe and healthy. Things aren’t what they used to be, but we can still go support our Lakers!

Wicker has an optimistic outlook for the team and say that their goal is  “get better every day.”