Sophomore Kambry James had a quite a request this summer for Chicago Christian coach Troy Grevengoed.
A 5-foot-9 middle hitter, she asked if she could try out at setter.
Why? She’s 5-foot-9.
“Due to me not growing anymore, I knew I would probably not be able to pursue middle in college,” James said. “I’ve always wanted to be a setter, but I was never given a chance to do it.”
Grevengoed, who needed a setter, gave James a chance. And she’s been delivering ever since.
James looked like a natural Thursday night for the Knights in a 20-25, 25-20, 25-21 nonconference victory over visiting Stagg in Palos Heights.
Quinn Grevengoed totaled 18 kills and 13 digs for Chicago Christian (12-3), while L’Rae White added 18 kills and 11 digs and James dished out 35 assists.
Katy Zumerchik led Stagg (5-5) with 13 kills. Amelia Kadamus added eight kills, with Maggie Gasienica contributing 35 assists.
It has been a match made in heaven for James — and the Knights.
“Well … I still have some middle tendencies,” James said, smiling. “The technique is way different. Coach G is doing a great job trying to get that out of me. And Quinn and L’Rae have been great.”
For the season, James is already up to 265 assists. She’s still standing tall at the net with 12 blocks. She’s also among the team leaders with 15 aces.
Her latest ace came near the end of a back-and-forth third game, when Chicago Christian was clinging to a one-point lead. The Knights put it away at the finish thanks in part to a block by Sydney Harris and a kill by White.
For James, it was another step forward.
“Every week she gets better,” Troy Grevengoed said. “I love it. She’s had phenomenal matches and she’s had some adversity. But it’s been a fun progression. I’m proud of her.”
James answered the biggest question mark that faced the Knights. Heidi VandenBosch piled up 609 assists during her senior season. Grevengoed, meanwhile, didn’t have a setter in waiting.
“We had a void,” Grevengoed said. “Last season (on the JV), she joked about it and she was kind of like, ‘I’ll set, I’ll set,’ because we’d had some adversity in that role.’”
But James wasn’t really joking. At least she wasn’t right before tryouts when she contacted Grevengoed.
“I’ve always wanted to do this,” she said. “I had an opportunity during club to do some training as a setter. So I texted coach and ask if it was possible.”
Possible?
“When she said she was up for it I was like, ‘Done. We’re all in,’” Grevengoed said, laughing. “She was the most athletic, best kid who could jump into that role. And we had other pieces we could add to fill her void. Once we committed to it, we were focused.”
James was a wizard on the court in Thursday’s win over Stagg. Most of the kills by the one-two combo of Quinn Grevengoed and White were on very hittable sets to the outside.
They were most definitely clicking.
“Kambry is so awesome, on and off the court,” Quinn said. “She has already developed her skills so much as a setter. It’s really helping us work together as a team. She’s just great out there.
“Her willingness to be the leader on the team to make that change, and be there for everybody helps us support each other all the way.”
If she had grown a couple of more inches?
“Yeah, I probably would have been happy to be a middle,” James said. “But they are both challenging positions. The middle is the most physical, while setter can be one of the most mental.
“I’m still in that challenging mindset, and it’s a great thing. I think I’m doing pretty well.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.