Yorkville’s Tehya Knapp had her eyes on more academic and athletic challenges this year when she decided to transfer across town from Parkview Christian.
The junior outside hitter/right-side hitter has fit right in with the Foxes, and Wednesday’s nonconference match gave her a taste of what bigger high school volleyball is all about.
“It was really exciting,” Knapp said. “It’s a good environment at Yorkville. I love the school and I love all the girls. It’s really fun.”
Knapp made her presence felt in an electric gym, putting down a match-best eight kills to lead Yorkville to a 26-24, 25-22 nonconference victory over host Metea Valley in Aurora.
Five of those kills by Knapp actually came in the final eight points of the second game as the Foxes (4-5) rallied from an eight-point deficit to end up clinching the win.
Rylei Warren also had five kills for Yorkville, while Camryn Carter and Lilianna Casbarian followed with three kills apiece. Sophia Blank added three blocks.
Alana Schille and Katie Wagner led Metea (10-3) with four kills apiece. Eastern Michigan recruit Olivia Stewart added four blocks.
The first step when making a big move like Knapp did is acclimating yourself with your school and your team. Yorkville coach Ryan Donato said that was never an issue.
“I’m actually really proud with how the kids took her in,” Donato said. “Talking to our captains (Tuesday), they said they took her in and they feel like they’ve known her their whole lives.”
The quick welcome, and the fact that she played with many of these girls while growing up, also made the transition as smooth as possible for Knapp.
“Knowing them coming into the year was really helpful,” Knapp said. “It was really exciting for me, meeting all of these new people, and they’re all so kind and welcoming. It’s been really fun.”
Donato admitted he didn’t know what kind of impact Knapp would have on the court when she arrived. What he did know is that the Foxes got deeper when she walked through the doors.
“I think what we really enjoy is we have one more really talented kid that can push us in practice,” Donato said. “Because of her and a lot of kids, we’re getting better. That’s the great sign about it.”
Yorkville came out strong in the first game, taking a 14-8 lead on a team that the Foxes already lost to in three games in an Aug. 29 match. This time, Metea rallied but Yorkville held on.
In the second game, the opposite happened. Metea grabbed a 14-6 lead and Yorkville came back.
Knapp, meanwhile, knew what the Foxes needed.
“We reminded ourselves that we need to play like we do in practice,” Knapp said. “We like to have fun. There was a lot of tension building in the second set. We said, ‘This isn’t who we are.’
“We need to play like we know we can. We just settled down and ended up pulling through.”
Metea coach Dave Macdonald lamented the Mustangs’ struggles with serve receive throughout the match and serving late in the second game, both considered strengths of the team.
“We’re not at the beginning of the season anymore,” Macdonald said. “It goes fast. It’s the middle of the season. It’s time to have some urgency and value every rep we have.
“They executed better than we did. They committed less errors.”
Donato said that Knapp focuses more on the right side during club season. For the Foxes, however, he’s going to use her in any capacity he can.
“Our big thing is, we’re going to put you wherever you’re going to score points,” Donato said. “She did a good job of scoring points on the outside. I’m super happy. It’s a great addition.”
And that’s music to Knapp’s ears.
“It’s cool that he sees my potential,” Knapp said.
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.