Libertyville’s Vivian Lang watched and learned as a freshman last season.
As a junior varsity player, she witnessed the Wildcats’ postseason run from the bench, an experience she said was invaluable.
“That helped me a lot because I saw what the pressure feels like,” Lang said. “I saw how competitive it could be and that next year it would really help me. I knew I had to put in my time last year.”
On Tuesday, Lang was in the thick of the action. The 6-foot-2 sophomore middle hitter recorded four kills and two blocks as top-seeded Libertyville swept second-seeded Huntley 25-21, 25-18 in the Class 4A Hampshire Sectional semifinals.
“It was really fun today,” Lang said. “I had a lot of motivation to do well for my team. I had to go for it because they were a tough team, and if I wasn’t going to swing, we weren’t going to do as well as we did.”
Junior right-side hitter Elle Knight added six kills and four blocks for the Wildcats (31-7), who advanced to the sectional championship match for the third season in a row and will play top-seeded Hampshire (31-5) at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Freshman setter Brynne Colton contributed 12 assists and nine digs against the Red Raiders (27-11), junior libero Charlie Fleegle had 14 digs, and junior setter Mairead Fleming had 10 assists and nine digs.
Lang, who moved to Libertyville from Washington, D.C., in seventh grade, is one of several underclassmen boosting the Wildcats. She raised her season totals to 65 kills and a team-high 53 blocks.
“She’s improved a ton this year,” Libertyville coach Greg Loika said. “She was our third middle last year. She got in a little bit when someone got hurt last year. She was next up this year. She had to adjust to the speed of the game and strength. She’s really finding her place now.
“She played with great poise tonight and is really working hard at being an energizer bunny and someone who has a lot of joy in other people’s success.”
Loika has coached several Division I athletes in the program over the years and said Lang is improving at a fast pace.
“I think the sky is the limit for her on what she can achieve as she gets stronger and stronger,” Loika said. “She’s got a great volleyball IQ, is always asking questions and is very coachable. She’s a centerpiece on this squad.”
Libertyville senior outside hitter Avery Maddux said Lang worked hard in the offseason to become such a key player.
“She has improved so much and become such a powerful hitter,” Maddux said. “She’s a great blocker and very dynamic with her blocking, and she can dive on the floor too.”
Libertyville senior right-side hitter Sydney Meyer said she feels comfortable on the court with Lang.
“Vivian’s communication has been so good this season,” Meyer said. “We work so well together. We played on JV last year, so I think that really helps. I think I can really trust her with the ball. Whenever we block or hit, I know she’s got my back.
“Her game has improved so much. I feel she’s way more confident with the ball, and everyone around her trusts her.”
Another Lang could earn that trust next season. Lang’s twin sister, Lillian, is a sophomore libero on the junior varsity team.
“Lillian started volleyball a year after me, but she’s always been there for me,” Lang said. “It’s fun having a twin sister playing with me.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
