Barely a month into high school, Lincoln-Way East’s Kolby Ross already has some lofty goals after she graduates.
The freshman outside hitter has her eyes sharply focused on playing volleyball and running track at the Division I level.
“It would be cool to do both,” she said. “I know it’s going to be tough, but I’ve seen people do it.
“I think I can do it.”
With the speed she displayed on the track in eighth grade and the power she has shown on the volleyball court through 16 matches for the Griffins, it might not be a stretch.
Ross produced all five of her kills at crucial times in the second game Tuesday for Lincoln-Way East in a 25-10, 26-24 SouthWest Suburban Blue victory over host Sandburg in Orland Park.
Indiana commit Alaina Pollard and Saint Louis recruit Tamia Maddox led the Griffins (13-3, 1-0) with seven kills apiece. Maddox also had four aces. Maggie Simon added 15 assists and Brooklyn Ritter had 11. Kyndal James tallied five blocks and Stella Drozd contributed 11 digs.
Lizzie Boertlein and Katie Collopy each totaled three kills to pace Sandburg (8-9, 0-1).
Ross was invited to play with the varsity in the summer, impressing her teammates and coach Sean Burns. But what was it going to be like when things got real in the regular season?
The 5-foot-8 Ross answered that question Aug. 31 with a team-high seven kills in a 25-20, 25-17 victory over Marist, which was ranked No. 1 in the Southland at that time.
Even in two losses to Benet and one to Loyola, Ross has been impressive, according to Burns.
“She’s doing really well on the varsity as a freshman,” Burns said of Ross. “She has done well against the top teams. I don’t know if it’s because she’s a freshman and doesn’t know better about who he is playing, but she is playing really well no matter who we are playing.
“She shows up to play.”
Pollard, who is one of the state’s top juniors, also played varsity as a freshman so she’s helping mentor Ross a little, although Pollard confirmed Ross knows what she’s doing on the court.
“We heard some speculation about her coming here,” Pollard said of Ross. “Everybody was super excited to have her coming up, and she has definitely earned her place on the team.
“We all respect her and love her so much. She adds so much confidence and energy to the court and it brings up our level of play for sure.”
Ross has made herself at home with the Griffins.
“When I first started, it was a little scary,” Ross said. “I came on the team and I knew a few girls and we instantly bonded. We all have a special connection with each other.
“We show it on the court, and that’s what makes us one of the best teams.”
While Ross admitted that volleyball is her No. 1 sport, her track resume is stunning.
In May, as an eighth grader at Hickory Creek, she set an Illinois Elementary School Association state record in the 200-meter dash with a time of 25.20 seconds and established a Class 4A record in the 100 with a 12.53.
“She’s a heck of an athlete for sure,” Burns said of Ross. “We’ve known about her for the past couple of years and we were excited that she was coming.”
Her career path has seen some twists and turns even before high school.
“I was in gymnastics for 10 years,” Ross said. “I got injured and I was told I couldn’t do it anymore.
“I played volleyball in sixth grade, and I just fell in love with it. My mom made me go out for track and I instantly loved it as well.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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