The 1996 Summer Games ended for two Illinois natives when the U.S. women’s volleyball team defeated Germany 3-1 Thursday to secure seventh place.
Three-time Olympian Caren Kemner, 31, a native of Quincy, said her Olympic career is over but that she hopes to stay around the sport.
“I’m going to go to my parents’ house for a few days and rest,” Kemner said afterward. “Then, get a job. I’d like to coach. I think I’d be really good at it.
“I don’t see playing overseas. My body is feeling it. I’d like to rest my body and then maybe play some beach (volleyball).”
Kemner, who was among the players who threw their jerseys into the stands after the match, said, “I’m shocked that it’s over. I just wanted to play one last time with these guys and I achieved my goal.”
The team’s coach, Terry Liskevych, a graduate of St. Ignatius High School and Loyola University, said his team had opportunities to win key matches against China and Cuba but didn’t take advantage. The U.S. women, as well as the men, had won bronze in Barcelona and had high medal hopes in Atlanta.
“It’s hard when your dreams are kind of shattered,” said Liskevych, who now lives in California.
