The Cavaliers volleyball team enters the 2023 season with a new head coach, three returning players and 10 new athletes. After several changes over the past few seasons, the team is adapting well to the new level of intensity brought by Coach White.
“When building a new culture in a program, athletes have to understand that desire, vision, and focus are the keys to move us forward,” Coach White said. “For our team this year and in years to come, we must play, practice, and live with purpose. We simply can’t just exist as athletes. We have to have a purpose in every move we make, and that takes discipline.” Coach White--who was previously a graduate assistant at Olivet Nazarene University--holds a lot of excitement and expectation for the team, and is ready to push her athletes to the best they can be.
In spite of big scoring by several team members, the Kankakee Community College volleyball team fell to Joliet Junior College in three sets Wednesday night.
The Cavaliers got off to a strong start in the first set and stayed close until the charging Wolves from JJC, had a six-point surge to end the set 25-15.
The Cavaliers fought back against several big plays for the Wolves in the second, but it was not enough, and JJC won that set 25-20. The Cavaliers were led offensively by Gabrielle Bradley, a Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School graduate, who recorded seven kills.
In the final set, KCC’s Drew Hosselton scored the first point before JJC ran off five straight points. KCC was led in the third set by Valorie Dagg, who scored on two kills and two blocks. Despite Dagg’s success, several runs by the Wolves put them ahead for the set, 25-19, and a match victory.
The Cavaliers (6-5) travel to Waubonsee Community College to play four matches Sept. 22-23 in the “Region 4 Crossover”.
Stats
G. Bradley 7 kills - 1 ace
G. Basile 7 kills
V. Dagg - 5 kills - 3 blocks - 1 ace
D. Hosselton - 4 kills
After defeating Olive-Harvey College Saturday morning to begin a tri-match, the Kankakee Community College volleyball team took on Highland Community College Saturday afternoon, securing a win in three close sets.
Early in the first set, the Highland Cougars pulled ahead, leading by six points. The Cavaliers bounced back with a service ace from Emma Creek and a kill from Drew Hosselton to move ahead. KCC’s momentum led to a first set win, 25-19.
The Cougars had a burst of energy to begin the second set, and they were ahead early. The Cavaliers recorded kills from Hosselton, Chloe Blakey and Gabrielle Bradley to go ahead. The Cougars then reclaimed the lead until the Cavs answered with six consecutive points to take the set 25-22.
In the third set, a late charge of four straight points by the Cougars nearly erased the Cavaliers’ lead. A well-timed kill from Valorie Dagg solidified the win for KCC, 25-23.
The Cavaliers improved to 6-4, and next take on Joliet Junior College on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. in the KCC Ryan Gymnasium.
The Kankakee Community College volleyball team fell to the Moraine Valley Community College in five sets during a difficult match on Tuesday night.
In the first set, former Manteno High School standout Drew Hosselton tipped the ball over the net late, giving the Cavaliers hope, but Moraine Valley responded by scoring two points and claiming the set 27-25. In the second, the Cyclones scored several service aces, creating a small lead which grew until they claimed the set 25-18.
In the third, KCC’s Gabrielle Bradley and Valorie Dagg made their marks, recording three kills a piece. Gianna Basile handled the Cavaliers’ defense, scoring on two blocks. Despite a short-lived MVCC run in the middle of the third set, the Cavaliers kept their lead. An error by the Cyclones secured the set for KCC, 25-18.
The comeback continued in the fourth set, with Hosselton adding six kills. The Cavaliers later scored five consecutive points to claim the set 25-23.
The match was tied going into the fifth set. The Cyclones took control of the set early and didn’t budge. Although KCC had a run of four points, two from Bradley, it was not enough. The Cyclones walked out with a 15-12 victory and the match.
The Cavaliers are 4-4 this season and next play Olivet Nazarene University’s junior varsity squad on Friday, Sept. 15 in Bourbonnais, IL.
Despite a hat-trick by one Cavaliers player, the Kankakee Community College women’s soccer team lost to Waubonsee Community College on Saturday, Sept. 9.
KCC’s Cavaliers stayed strong under pressure the entire game. Early in the first half, the Waubonsee Chiefs made several unsuccessful surges toward the net. During one early save, KCC’s goalkeeper Mia Robbins had a cleat strike her face, and she had to leave the field. Freshman goalkeeper Haven Maple filled Robbins’ spot, and racked up multiple saves, while still allowing Waubonsee three goals.
The Cavaliers were able to make several attempts to score as well. The first half ended with the Cavs down 0-3.
Mariel Camargo, a Cavaliers sophomore from Kankakee, brought the Cavaliers hope for a turnaround early in the second, catching a cross-field pass and scoring a quick goal. That was soon followed by a goal from Waubonsee, putting them up 4-1.
Cavs sophomore Samantha Popek made several drives, resulting in shots that missed by a small margin. Camargo scored again, shrinking the Cavs’ deficit to two. The Chiefs returned in full force, but despite their best efforts, Maple continued to save the ball, allowing Waubonsee to score no more goals.
With just ten minutes remaining in the game, Camargo completed the hat trick with her third goal of the game. Despite several attempts, the Cavaliers were unable to get the ball into the net again, and they ended with a tough 3-4 loss.
The Cavaliers fell to 1-3-1 on the season and travel to Madison, Wisconsin, to play Madison College on Tuesday, Sept. 12.
The Kankakee Community College Cavaliers men’s soccer team took on the Northeast Community College Hawks Saturday, Aug. 9. The Hawks, ranked seventh in the NJCAA Div. II pre-season poll, took control of the game early. After several saves by KCC goalkeeper Tariq Singh, the Hawks capitalized on an open field and scored first.
The Hawks played fast, and scored again at the end of the first half.
In the second half, the Cavaliers increased the pressure when Mark Griffith, a KCC sophomore, made a decisive drive to the net, passing to another sophomore, Marc Robertson, who shot and nearly scored. Northeast was able to turn the game around and extended their lead to 3-0.
The Cavaliers’ defense continued to improve as the game progressed, and they topped every other drive by the Hawks.
KCC’s offense in the second half was more aggressive, led by sophomore Adrian Duncan, who made shots from the ground and the air. In the last moments of the game, KCC had one more opportunity following a failed Northeast penalty kick. On that Hail Mary shot, Kankakee High School grad Noah Lacy just missed the net. The game ended with Northeast earning the win, 3-0.
The Cavaliers record is 2-3 going into their match against Madison College in Madison, Wisconsin, on Tuesday.
KCC hit the road on Sunday and faced off against Aurora University JV and pulled out a victory 70-57.
Top performer for the game was Sean Black, who contributed 15 points and 8 rebounds. He shot 5-11 from the field and was 4-4 from the free throw line. Robert Stroud also had a great game, scoring 16 points and grabbing 2 rebounds, shooting 6-9 from the field.
Jaelyn Anderson had a solid game, with 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal. Isaiah Placide and Joshua Holmes also had impressive performances, scoring 11 and 10 points respectively. Noah Mason contributed 6 points and 4 rebounds.
The Cavs will be back at home on Wednesday February 15 to take on Malcolm X College. Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm. You can catch all home games live on our livestream - https://bit.ly/KCCCavsLiveStream
The Lady Cavs faced off against Black Hawk College on Saturday in Moline. KCC battled and was within 2 points going into the 4th quarter, but ultimately fell to Black Hawk 58-72 being outscored 26-12 in the 4th quarter. Jazmyn Smith was the top performer for the Lady Cavs, scoring 17 points on 8-13 shooting from the field. Sarah Burton also had a solid performance with 9 points and 5 rebounds.
KCC will be back home for an 11 am start Saturday, Feb. 18. They’ll take on Bryant & Stratton College. Watch all home games through our livestream link - https://bit.ly/KCCCavsLiveStream
Bailey White is entering her first year as head women’s volleyball coach for the Cavaliers. She is a graduate of Resurrection College Prep High School in Chicago, where she helped lead the 2016-2017 team to a regional title, the 14th in school history. White was ranked in the top 15 for digs and serving aces in the Girls Catholic Athletic Conference. White then played one year at Oral Roberts University (NCAA Div. I) and earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations and advertising.
Before KCC, Coach White was a graduate assistant at Olivet Nazarene University for men’s and women’s volleyball. During the year she was at Olivet, the team had two defensive players of the week in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference and two Second Team All-Conference athletes. In that time, the men’s program earned an 11-2 record and was ranked 23rd in the nation.
White also serves as KCC’s athletic retention success advisor, and is excited to help athletes excel in the classroom. She has a passion for the game, and is thrilled to be at KCC. White lives in Bourbonnais, and in her free time loves working out and cooking with her boyfriend.