Warren setter Lyla Christensen sensed something was missing following her first season as a varsity starter last year.
So after the season ended, Christensen decided she wouldn’t play club volleyball.
“I found myself more and became stronger mentally,” she said. “I feel like that’s really important for the game.”
Back on the court, Christensen has become even more important for the Blue Devils this season, and the 5-foot-6 senior showed off her diverse skill set during a Class 4A McHenry Regional semifinal against North Suburban Conference rival Waukegan on Tuesday night.
Christensen’s kill clinched third-seeded Warren’s 25-14, 16-25, 25-21 victory over the sixth-seeded Bulldogs, who were mounting another comeback when she slid to the front row and softly touched the ball over the net.
“It felt good,” she said. “I saw pretty much everyone was close together, so it was about making a move and putting the ball in a good spot.”
Christensen, a third-year varsity player and first-time captain, finished with 26 assists, six digs and three kills for the Blue Devils (15-21), who will play second-seeded Mundelein (19-17) in an all-NSC regional championship match at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Mustangs won their regular-season meeting in straight sets.
Against the Bulldogs (14-20), sophomore outside hitter Elyse Hale led Warren with 11 kills, sophomore middle blocker Brooke Murray added eight kills and senior libero Lily Smekens contributed 12 digs and four aces.
Leading a young team, Christensen has been asked to do more this season. She has 288 assists and 191 digs, both team highs, but also has 93 kills.
“This year, we asked her to hit because we don’t have enough offense, but she was OK with doing it,” Warren coach Yun Chen said. “She’s willing to do anything and everything for the team to be successful because she’s super competitive and always wants to do well.”
Christensen likes setting, though. Last season, she recorded 588 assists, 222 digs and 63 aces and was named all-conference.
“I get to control the game,” she said. “It’s so much fun to pick and choose, and I feel like being a setter you have to know everything and be smart about it.”
Christensen is smart about it, according to sophomore outside hitter Marissa Gonzalez.
“She always hustles and makes good passes and is so confident and knows how to play the ball,” Gonzalez said. “She never gives up on a ball and tries to always give a good set.
“She’s been doing great this year despite being moved around. She always gives it her all and just plays to win.”
Yen said he has enjoyed watching Christensen play over the years.
“She started setting with my daughter — who was in eighth grade, and Lyla was a freshman — and I saw them play together,” Yen said. “So a lot of great memories with her.”
But Christensen is glad she took a break from the sport after last season.
“It made me better at knowing and supporting myself,” she said. “Being able to support yourself is important, so you can support your teammates too.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.