The Moraine Valley Community College volleyball team has plenty to be proud of this season between team and individual accolades.
The Cyclones were one win shy of earning a 10th Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference championship, finishing with a 6-1 record and going 24-6 overall. To start the season, they had a 13-game win streak. They also had 17 shutout victories and were nationally ranked throughout the season, ranking as high as No. 15. They ended the season in a narrow five-set match loss to Sandburg College in the NJCAA Region 4 District B finals, a national-qualifying match.
“I think we had a great season with a heartbreaking ending. This team started the season unranked and not really on anyone’s radar. They had a great opening weekend – defeating a ranked team and Mary [Zielinski] earning NJCAA and AVCA player of the week honors, which really gave them the respect they deserved. They maintained the same intensity throughout the season and played some very good volleyball. Losing the conference championship by two points and just missing qualifying for nationals was arduous but really shows just how competitive our conference and region are,” said Head Coach Lauren Lorenz, who completed her ninth season leading the program.
Among the success and accomplishments, the sophomores led the way in a team effort.
Outside hitter Mary Zielinski (Stagg) capped her second season with the Cyclones earning several honors, including a second consecutive nod to the NJCAA Division II All-America second team and All-Conference and All-Region first teams. She earned her 1,000th career kill on Nov. 6 and was ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA for kills per set (6.25) and for points (710). She also was No. 2 nationally for kills (619) and points per set (7.2).
Setter Ava Pequette (Manteno) earned her second consecutive All-Conference honors, this time to the first team, while also earning nods to the All-Region second team. This season, she amassed 8.71 assists per set and 906 assists, ranking her 22nd and 32nd in the NJCAA, respectively.
Sophomore defensive specialist Sophia Davidson (Marist) earned All-Conference second team honors while collecting 5.30 digs per set and 551 digs, ranking 26th and 43rd in the nation, respectively.
“I could not have been happier with the sophomores this season. They gave all they had and more. Mary received a million accolades, which are all well-deserved, but she wouldn’t have been able to be so successful, and the team wouldn’t have been so successful, if it weren’t for Cayla [Neville (Oak Lawn)]’s blocking, Sophia and Lily [Avelar (Beecher)]’s defense and Ava’s offense,” Lorenz said. “They played with true heart all season and set a great example for the freshmen.”
Several matches this season were close losses, and some were only lost by two or three points in the fifth set, meaning one play could have changed the outcome in favor of the Cyclones – particularly in the conference and region championship matches. Such competitive matchups provide a path forward for the Cyclones and set a good precedent for the 2025 season.
“The freshmen improved so much this season, and I am excited to see them step up and take on more of a leadership role next year. They have a ton of potential,” Lorenz added.
Several players will continue their education and volleyball careers at a four-year college or university while the team recruits more talent to expand the program’s winning legacy.
For updates on Cyclones Athletics, visit mvcyclones.com.
For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist and sports information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.
