When the season started, Geneva’s Zori Malone was just like the rest of the girls on the team.
With the exception of sophomore setter Ally Stevenson, the Vikings were literally going to field an entirely new varsity this season. That meant finding roles, and Malone wanted to be in the mix.
As the fall has gone on, the sophomore outside/right-side hitter has gotten into a groove.
“I’ve been hitting a lot better,” Malone said. “So that’s where I found my role.”
Malone found a way to get things done with eight kills Wednesday night for the red-hot Vikings, who picked up a 25-17, 25-19 nonconference win over visiting Metea Valley.
Sophomore outside hitter Emma Peterson had a match-high 14 kills for Geneva (15-14). On senior night, middle hitter Molly Franz chipped in with three kills and a block.
The Viking are 8-1 in their last nine matches since retired West Chicago coach Kris Hasty took over for Lauren Kosecki, who is away from the team on maternity leave.
Eastern Michigan commit Olivia Stewart led Metea (13-18) with four kills, three blocks and an ace. Allyse King added four kills, while Alana Schille had three kills and a block.
Malone, meanwhile, has made steady progress as she has grown accustomed to varsity volleyball, something that Hasty has noticed
“She had a nice match,” Hasty said afterward of Malone. “She’s coming along. Progressively, she’s gotten better. Her main thing was lack of confidence.
“I think she’s getting more confident as we’ve gotten going. That’s fun to see.”
Malone and Peterson have turned into quite the combination on the pins for Geneva. They are close friends on and off the court and have emerged as the top two on the team in kills.
“We work together well,” Malone said. “She’s more explosive, but we complement each other.”
Although Peterson broke out right away at the outset of the season, she has been impressed with how Malone has effectively gained her footing on the opposite side.
“I think she’s definitely gotten more comfortable with the girls,” Peterson said. “I feel like she’s gaining confidence.
“I think we can mirror each other. I think we have similar skill sets, which helps.”
Malone went through a hot stretch in the first game Wednesday, setting the tone. With Geneva up only 7-6, Malone put down three straight kills as part of a 6-2 run that helped the Vikings cruise.
“It was really awesome,” Malone said. “It was great to help the team out.”
While the sophomores filled the stat sheet, the seniors were in the spotlight.
“They always get hyped for senior night,” Hasty said. “We stuck with our seniors and they did a great job. A lot of credit for keeping the energy up, keeping the pressure on. It was a great match.”
It was also the first time Metea returned to Geneva after Stewart suffered a dislocated ankle in last season’s regional championship match.
While Metea coach Dave Macdonald said they didn’t discuss it beforehand, when lining up for the national anthem, he did get emotional.
“I gave Olivia a big hug after the game,” Macdonald said. “We didn’t talk about it. She never said, ‘Hey, can I not play in the Geneva game?’
“For her to come out and overcome that mental block and that traumatic accident that happened to her was huge.”
Just as big for Geneva, on the other hand, is playing its best volleyball at the right time.
Halfway through the season, the Vikings learned they have dropped to Class 3A this season. Despite playing a 4A schedule, Geneva is headed to Chicago University for the regional.
“We’re excited for the playoffs,” Hasty said. “This win will hopefully give us some confidence. We’re going to Autumnfest this weekend and that’s always difficult, but we’re on a roll.
“Hopefully, we’ll be at our peak at the right time.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.