As ridiculously fast as Lockport senior Jenna Kolosta puts down a quick set to the middle, the chances of bringing it back up are slim to none.
Sandburg did it once during Thursday night’s match, and it was quite a sight watching the ball take a gigantic high arc and sail over the net, over the Lockport players and past the back line.
“I really thought it was going to drop in,” Kolosta said with a smile. “I was glad to see it go out for a point.”
Her power swings have brought many power smiles this season for Kolosta. She’s making up for a lot of lost time, helping Lockport run with the big dogs in the Southland.
“Last year was a struggle for me,” Kolosta said. “I’m so happy that I’m back. The dedication for this team is what is driving me. Senior year has been kind of nice.”
The North Alabama recruit was one of several leaders for the Porters in a 25-21, 25-15 SouthWest Suburban Conference victory over the host Eagles in Orland Park.
Emily McGraw led Lockport (19-3, 2-1) with eight kills. Bridget Ferriter contributed six kills, while Kolosta added four kills and two blocks. Natalie Bochantin had 16 assists and Sadie Denk made 11 digs.
Katie Collopy had five kills for Sandburg (9-11, 1-3). Bella Maras added four kills, while Lizzie Boertlein tallied 10 assists and Christina Lavery delivered with 10 digs.
Kolosta’s biggest flurry of activity came at the end of the first game.
Lockport was leading 22-18 when she skied for a straight-down block. She went angle on a later kill from the middle to the right side, and then put down a booming kill for the Porters’ final point.
A 6-foot-2 middle hitter, Kolosta is leading the Porters with 132 kills and 41 blocks. She also contributes from the service line. She’s second on the team behind Bochantin with 24 aces.
How does a middle hitter lead a team in kills? Lockport coach Nick Mraz gives her room to roam.
“She can swing from both pins as well,” Mraz said. “We try to get her the ball wherever we can, whenever we can. She’s that type of player for us. Jenna has definitely been a go-to.
“Not only is she physically a leader, but from the emotional aspect of the game, she wants to carry the team on her back. She’s just been great all around.”
Kolosta would fit nicely into any Comeback Player of the Year discussion.
She missed almost the entire 2023 season with a knee injury. It started that summer.
“I fell at summer league and landed on my left knee,” Kolosta said. “It got to the point where it was too brutal to play.”
Kolosta spent much of the high school season rehabbing her knee. She didn’t make it back until the final two matches of the year.
The struggle was real, both physically and mentally.
“I thought it was really important to be there and support my team even when I couldn’t play,” Kolosta said. “But I was upset on some days when I really wanted to play but they wouldn’t let me because I wasn’t ready.
“It made me upset throwing away a whole season. Looking back, I should have taken a little better care of my body and doing things that should have been beneficial for me playing.”
Her frustration didn’t show at practices or during matches.
“She was such a great supporter for us,” McGraw said. “You could tell from seeing her sitting on the bench that she wanted to come back. Now, seeing her on the court this season, I know it means a lot to her and she is making the most of it.”
On every swing.
Bochantin, a 5-7 sophomore setter, is having an eye-opening experience connecting with her.
“Oh, it’s crazy,” Bochantin said. “I really like setting Jenna because I can go right over my head and she’s right there. I watch when she puts it straight down, and then I get to cheer.”
And woe for the player on the other side.
“I’d be afraid to defend against her,” McGraw said, grinning.
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
