During matches, Lincoln-Way East senior Charlotte Buck is bursting with energy, enthusiasm and encouragement. On top of that, she really brings it at practice.
When she isn’t digging, the 5-foot-7 libero is dancing. And she knows all the moves.
“I do like to dance a lot,” Buck said, laughing. “Our friend Claire usually turns on her playlist. And it’s our team playlist, and it’s really fun. I just try to get us going, get us moving.”
Buck’s influence was strong Thursday night for the Griffins. She led the way with 10 digs and three aces in a 25-18, 25-23 SouthWest Suburban Conference win over host Andrew in Tinley Park.
Kolby Ross tallied eight kills and Chloe Prainito notched seven for Lincoln-Way East (23-7, 7-0). Senior setters Brooklyn Ritter and Maggie Simon added nine assists apiece.
Lainey Pranckus paced Andrew (10-15, 1-5) with seven kills. Cara Pluhar contributed eight assists, while Taryn Mondragon added seven assists.
Buck showed off a few of her dance moves before the match. But it was late in the second game when she showed her leadership.
A big lead had shrunk to 22-21. During a pause, Buck went to the bench and stirred everyone up to start cheering. She then went around to her teammates with some encouraging claps.
“It’s part of my job,” Buck said. “I think it’s important to get everyone cheering and get the momentum going. A positive attitude on the court helps you win games.”
In this case, it worked like a charm. Buck made the good serve receive, Ross put down a kill and the Griffins were well on their way.
Simon has been feeling Buck’s inspiration for a very long time.
“I met Charlotte in preschool and then we rekindled our friendship in eighth grade,” Simon said. “She has always been one of the most fun people I’ve ever known. She’s always positive.
“Even on the court, when I’m in a zone, she’s always there to tell me I’m doing good. And when I make a mistake, she’ll always tell me that I’ll get the next one. She’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever had. She’s definitely there for everybody.”
Buck is in her first season as a varsity starter. She has had to work her way up through all three levels — and a major position change.
Upon until her junior year, she was an outside hitter. Her switch to defense came after a reality check.
“I just realized, ‘Hey, I’m really short,’” Buck said. “I really liked defense and serve receive, so I thought it would be a good decision to try out for libero my junior year.
“But if you had told me when I was a freshman that this would happen I’d have said, ‘You’re lying to me right now.’ I really wanted to be the outside. But then I was like, ‘No, I’m too short for this. I’m going to try the next best thing.’”
During her junior season, Buck saw limited time as a defensive specialist. But as a senior, she has been the go-to girl on defense for Lincoln-Way East coach Sean Burns.
Buck, who has 20 aces, leads the Griffins with 243 digs and is among the team’s top passers in serve receive.
“Charlotte has always been a solid player in our program,” Burns said. “Last year, we’d get her in games when we needed a pass, but during the offseason, she really picked it up.
“Her serve receive and her consistency on defense really earned her the libero position. She’s always in the right spot at the right time. And she’s always had a great attitude.
“With Charlotte, it’s not about her. It’s always team first.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.