On the court, Kymora Scott helped Homewood-Flossmoor snap a four-match losing streak.
But the 6-foot-2 senior outside hitter, a Wisconsin commit, actually credited a woman who was more than 1,000 miles away in Colorado for a huge off-the-court assist for the Vikings.
Kaelene Curry, a mental performance coach whose client list includes the Vanderbilt football team, speaks to the H-F girls volleyball players twice a month via a video conference call.
“She helps us with breathing techniques and helps us calm down because the game can be so fast,” Scott said of Curry, who coincidentally had a session scheduled Monday with the Vikings after their rough weekend performance in a tournament at Downers Grove. “She told us to trust each other and to put your pride aside and just get out of your own head.
“It was perfect timing.”
Behind 12 kills and four blocks from Scott, host H-F came out and talked the talk and walked the walk Tuesday night for a 25-16, 25-23 nonconference victory over St. Laurence in Flossmoor.
Clemson recruit Ihuoma Ozoh added five kills for H-F (8-7), while sophomore defensive specialist Sydney Skinner totaled nine digs. She also had two aces in a five-point run during the first game, giving the Vikings an 18-10 lead.
Junior outside hitter Aubrey Martinez was dangerous all over the place with 13 kills for St. Laurence (10-5), including five kills from the back row,
A red-hot Scott at the net, meanwhile, allowed H-F to forget about losing twice to Geneva and also to Joliet West and Neuqua Valley in the Denise Kavanaugh Invitational.
A less-than-desirable record hasn’t deterred Scott, who likes the potential of this team.
“I just feel like we’re trying to figure stuff out and I’m not worried at all,” she said. “Last year, we had a losing streak and then we just skyrocketed. I see the same thing with this team.
“We’re figuring out who fits where the best. I think that’s all it is.”
Regardless, the Vikings wanted to put the lid on the losing streak.
“We had enough of that,” Scott said. “You saw that (Tuesday).”
Last year, Scott wasn’t a known commodity despite having committed in the summer after Wisconsin’s coaches saw her play club. During the high school season, she became a force.
This year, opponents now know who she is — and she’s a whole new player. First-year head coach Nate Nesbit, a former assistant at H-F, likes the improvement and attitude from Scott.
“Kymora has done a really good job rising to the challenge and not letting that get to her,” he said. “She’s a better player and far more comfortable on the pin. We still see glimpses of greater glory.”
Her teammates appreciate what Scott brings to H-F.
“She’s very energetic and keeps me going in practice,” Skinner said. “And if I’m upset on the court, she’s usually the one who says, ‘You got the next point. You got it. Keep going.’
“I love that about her. And when we need a big kill, she’s always there. She’s brought up her game as a captain.”
When Scott goes to hit in the front row, there’s also a different vibe from the opponent.
“If anybody on our team gets blocked, OK,” Nesbit said. “But if the other team blocks Kymora, that’s a big deal. They get really excited about that.”
And Scott gets excited about being the target.
“It’s very cool,” Scott said. “I enjoy being on the scouting report. I know all eyes are on me, but that opens up the block for my other teammates.
“It’s also awesome to have the attention on H-F because it’s such a good program. And I’m glad I can be that beacon of light that brings it in.”
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
Originally Published:
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