Five members of Waubonsee Community College's volleyball program recently received recognition from the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) and the NJCAA's Region IV for their outstanding play this Spring season. The McPherson twins, outside hitter Olivia and setter Kiara, were both named to the All-ISCC First Team and the All-Region team. In addition, sophomore libero Lydia Sabanish was also tabbed All-Region, while Evelyn Martin and Claire Sweeney were selected All-ISCC Second Team.
At just 5'5" tall, Olivia McPherson was still an offensive force for the Chiefs as she rose up to lead the team in both kills and points. The freshman from Aurora West High School was fourth nationally among all NJCAA Division II players in kills per set with a 4.62 average. She tallied 217 kills overall in only 14 matches played to place 37th nationally in that category, despite playing about a dozen less matches than most of the other top ranked performers. The North Aurora resident was also sixth nationally with a 5.1 points per set average, finishing with 240 points overall.
Kiara McPherson directed the Chiefs' offense from her setter position, ranking ninth nationally with a 10.17 assists per set average. The freshman's 478 assists overall placed her 36th nationally among all Division II junior college players. The Aurora West High School alumnus also booked a team-leading 21 service aces and registered 11 solo blocks.
A sophomore from DeKalb High School, Sabanish keyed the Chiefs' defense as she was second on the team with 163 digs from her libero position. Martin, a 5'9" sophomore from Newark High School, was second on the team with 123 kills and 148 points. She also recorded a dozen service aces and tied for the team lead in blocks with 14. A 5'11" freshman, Sweeney did most of her damage in the Chiefs' four conference matches. The Aurora Christian High School product finished the season with 69 kills, 14 blocks and 83 points overall.
After not having played a match in over 15 months due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Chiefs wrapped up an abbreviated Spring season with a 9-5 overall record, going 3-1 in ISCC play to finish second in the conference. Coach Steve Kish, in his ninth season at Waubonsee, has guided the Chiefs to a combined 52-13 mark in ISCC play over that time span.