Lincoln-Way Central senior Kylie McCarthy was very proud when she earned a starting spot this season as a libero.
When she was pulled in the middle of a match, it stung a little. OK, maybe a lot.
“Yeah, I was a bit frustrated because I am a very competitive person,” McCarthy said. “I like to be on the court helping my team any way I can. But I had been struggling a little bit on my serve receive.”
She isn’t struggling anymore.
McCarthy was back on the job as the backbone of the defense Tuesday night for the host Knights in a 16-25, 25-21, 25-20 win over Homewood-Flossmoor in a SouthWest Suburban Conference crossover in New Lenox.
Kiera King totaled 21 kills, seven assists and five digs for Lincoln-Way Central (10-6, 1-1). Alyssa Teske added six kills and 21 assists, while McCarthy made 10 digs and Brooke Smid contributed four kills and four blocks.
LaDonna Trantham led the way for H-F (14-4, 1-1) with 15 kills. Skylar Skinner delivered a double-double with 10 digs and 20 assists, while Alayna Frangella notched nine digs.
King was without question the standout player of the match for the Knights.
After a quiet start, the 5-foot-10 senior setter/right-side hitter went on a tear, putting down seven kills against H-F’s tall front line in the second game.
It provided an adrenaline rush that Lincoln-Way Central maintained the rest of the match.
“I don’t know … In my experiences, my teams have always been on the shorter side,” King said. “Height doesn’t really bother me. As long as you’re skillful, I feel like height has nothing to do with the game.
“After that start, I started mixing up my shots. I felt like our block really helped out with the touches. Other than that, don’t know. I kind of blacked out and started swinging.”
It has been a roller-coaster ride of a senior season, meanwhile, for McCarthy.
As a junior, she was a regular at middle back. But she played libero in club and wanted to wear that jersey for the Knights.
“I love defense,” McCarthy said. “I love that feeling when you get a great dig and keep that ball still alive. And when that hitter slams the ball and you’re right there to receive it, you kind of take it away from them and give it to your own team.”
Lincoln-Way Central coach Mary Brown moved McCarthy from libero to middle back during a match against Joliet West. Brown didn’t really consider it a demotion.
“I’ve done this long enough to know that sometimes athletes just need a little break from whatever it is they’re doing,” Brown said. “When Kylie relaxes, she really is a great player. She’s super positive with everybody, a real spark plug.
“She helps the team more than just with digs and serve receive. She really picks everybody else up.”
For the season, McCarthy has 83 digs and four aces. She remained at middle back for a handful of matches before switching back to libero after the first game Sept. 14 against Sandburg.
“I had my (libero) shirt stuffed down all the way in the bottom of my bag,” McCarthy said. “Coach Brown tells all of us on defense to bring both shirts so anyone can be ready to step in at any time.
“I was grateful I had my shirt because an opportunity opened up and I was ready.”
Super ready.
“Oh, I went right to my bag,” McCarthy said, laughing. “I ran to the back corner of the Sandburg gym and quickly switched to get ready for the next game.
“Playing middle back, I love that job, too. But being back at libero is even better.”
