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Their win and loss record doesn't
have a place for losing a key player to a devastating illness. "To
be honest, when I was looking ahead, I thought we'd be 30-11," said
LC volleyball coach Mark Tippett. "The loss of Mackenzie Clark in
midseason was really devastating. From an emotional standpoint for
sure, and from a volleyball perspective, it took our setter out of
the loop. Losing the centerpiece of our offense was really a big
blow. It slowed down our offense. Mackenzie was so consistent with
her setting."
Clark, one of eight returning sophomores and the only setter
listed on the roster, was lost for the season following a Sept. 27
game against Lincoln Christian College. After complaining of "just
not feeling well," according to Tippett, Clark was found to have a
form of leukemia. "We had to replace Mackenzie with Beth Applen.
Beth was our libero, and when we had to move her, we lost one of our
most consistent passers," Tippett said. "So, in a lot of ways, we
were starting from scratch in the middle of September. At this
level, that really makes it hard to compete."
Aside from Clark, the Lady Lynx were also without the presence of
top hitter Chelsea Faith for periods of time with a severe ankle
sprain. "Chelsea didn't get to do as much this year as she would
have with Mackenzie, and with her ankle," said Tippett. "She really
came on strong at the end of the year, though. Against Rend Lake,
she really had some big kills."
Faith and Clark are just two members of a sophomore class that
Tippett spoke remarkably highly of. "Definitely this sophomore group
has been one of the best groups I've had to work with," he said.
"They were a major part of the success we had last year, where we
won 20 games for the first time in about a decade."
"The team last year was a more complete team, where we had
players who were more suited for their positions. This team, due to
the injuries, wasn't able to function most nights. But they battled
through and always gave it their best effort. I was especially proud
of the way we finished Monday night."
The Lady Lynx lost to Rend Lake in four games, 27-30, 30-20,
21-30, 29-31. Faith led the Lady Lynx with 12 kills, eight digs and
13 service points. Erica Lill finished with eight kills and four
blocks. Danielle Crum had nine kills and three blocks. Applen had 28
set assists and 15 service points.
"I was really proud of the way we played Rend Lake,"
Tippett said. "We were the 11 seed playing against the number six
seed, and we gave them all that they could handle.
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 "The girls really came together and played as a
team, I felt. That was great to see because we haven't done that for
awhile. We passed the ball extremely well, which gave our offense a
chance to work. That hasn't been there for a long time."
Tippett also felt his squad received one last assist
from their stricken setter on Monday: Clark was in attendance for
the team's final game.
"We're so glad that Mackenzie is recovering," said
Tippett. "It was great to see her at Rend Lake. She looked really
good, and it was just very uplifting to see her and hear her
supporting us."
Despite the disappointment from this season, Tippett
expressed reason for optimism for next year's squad, based on what
he gathered from his team's trio of key freshman this season.
"I was very pleased with Lacey Guillaume's passing.
She's looking to be our starting libero next year," Tippett said.
"Her passing was consistent, and her defensive intensity was just
outstanding.
"Katherine Cessna could be a starter at either right
side or middle, depending on how recruiting goes. Her flexibility
was crucial to this year. I expect big things from her next year.
"And, Emily Carter really gained some valuable
experience. She saw a lot of playing time, with our injuries. She
saw a lot of court time and really improved over the course of the
year."
Recruiting is another key to next year's success,
according to Tippett.
"We're going to need to have a big recruiting class
next year, ” he said. “We're
replacing just about everyone. I am definitely going to be beating
around the bushes, looking for some people who can help us. I'm
going to start with a quality setter, hopefully, and build around
that. I feel good about the feedback I'm getting so far."
As for Clark's progress, Tippett has received
encouraging news. The coach also encourages anyone interested in
donating to Clark's medical fund to contact the Lincoln College
athletic department.
[Lincoln College
news release]
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