Going into the LaPorte regional vs. Crown Point on Saturday, Maddie Gilliam, Peyton Ello, and Brooke Williams play key role in Chesterton volleyball’s hitting rotation

Patrick Mochen
Onwardtrojans.com

The Chesterton volleyball team is set to compete in its third regional ever and second in as many years. The Trojans face Crown Point in the Regional at Laporte on Saturday at 4 pm.
Senior outside hitter Tenley Davis and junior outside hitter Luca Bombacino, varsity players for their entire careers, have both been in the spotlight for a long time, and for good reason. Their spikes are often followed by a loud bang when the ball finds the hardwood on the opposing court. Davis is committed to play volleyball at Loyola University of Chicago and Bombacino has chosen to play at University of Michigan. Senior setter Abigail Parrish has played varsity for four years along with Davis, and has racked up 1,868 assists. Although those three have been such huge pieces to the volleyball program and have improved over time, the rest of the front row has taken on a bigger role as the season has progressed.
Junior middle hitter Maddie Gilliam has stepped into a larger role on varsity this year, and has 140 kills. Earlier this season, she committed to play at Butler University, although her road to Division * interest wasn’t as straightforward as her two committed teammates.
“She’s had a lot of development over the past two years,” Bombacino said, “so I feel like that’s why she has kind of flown under the radar a bit. Tenley and I made varsity our freshman year, so it’s kind of been all eyes on us since then. When she has those showstopping moments it shocks everyone.”
The presence of Gilliam, senior middle hitter/right side hitter Peyton Ello, and senior right-side hitter Brooke Williams gives the setters several places to send the ball.
Davis said, “We learned in the middle of the season that spreading the ball out was super important because in order to beat better teams like Crown Point, we need to have options that those teams might not expect, like right side or middle. Maddie Gilliam has come a long way, and I think utilizing her is going to be super important.”
Ello suffered a concussion at the beginning of the season, and freshman Audrey Roach was able to fill in. Just as Ello was coming back, Roach suffered a concussion and Ello was thrown right back in action. In the sectional victories over Valparaiso and Portage, Ello never left the court.
Williams said, “Peyton Ello always brings energy to the court. She’s just a happy person to be around, and she really brings that team mentality.”
Ello has come up with big blocks in wins vs. top conference rivals Lake Central and Crown Point.
Bombacino added, “She has really stepped up and is a big powerhouse for us and she's a big reason why we beat Crown Point. She really shut down their main hitter, got some big blocks, and gave us momentum.”
Williams has become an option for the setters that has been hard to defend. On the complete other side of the court from Davis or Bombacino, the defense often isn’t ready for a spike from her.
“She’s probably one of the sweetest girls I’ve ever met,” Bombacino said. “She has grown a lot this year. I wouldn’t be surprised if she got most improved. She’s very humble on and off the court.”
One component of the Chesterton team that gives them an edge is their energy from players on the court and especially from those on the bench.
“They are super supportive”, Davis said. “I always hear them. (Senior Libero) Ryliegh Connor is a great attitude player, off the court and on the court I can always hear her screaming and it’s pretty awesome. (Senior outside hitter) Elaina (Markwart) is awesome too. She is one of my favorite teammates because she is so supportive, no matter if she is on the court or not, she just wants the best for everyone.”
Williams added, “After a nice play, you can always hear the bench screaming loud and that just really helps carry to the next play and it’s a big part of our runs that we go on. Elaina carries the team energy when she's on the bench. She’s just cheering constantly, even if we're down she’ll make sure to bring people up. She’s just always screaming and bringing energy.”