Senior Spotlight: Vernon Hills' Alexa Cieslinski Wants To Make Team History
Experienced middle hitter is excelling as the Cougars roll.
Senior Alexa Cieslinski of Vernon Hills is contributing to one of the best seasons in recent history for the Cougars. Vernon Hills hasn’t won 20 matches since 2011 and is well on its way to that mark now, sitting at 17-2-2 with a 10-match win streak. I spoke with Cieslinski for a Senior Spotlight Q&A.
CSLV: How has your senior season been so far for you as an individual and for the team overall?
AC: This season I switched to middle. So I’m still learning new things about it everyday! As a team we have been successful so far this season. We are always working to improve and get better as a whole!
CSLV: With the team off to a hot start, can you summarize what’s working well for you all so far as a unit?
AC: Communication is so important. In the games that we are more successful, our communication is better and our energy levels are higher. That plays a huge part in our gameplay. We have a solid front row in all positions and our back row is always making great saves and good passes. When we are able to capitalize on those things we are an amazing team. When our setter has three good hitting options almost all the time it really adds to the success of the team.
CSLV: How long have you played volleyball, and how much time do you spend playing it/thinking about it?
AC: Other then camps, I played on a volleyball team for the first time in 6th grade for my middle school team. During the season I am playing volleyball about 12 hours a week with my team. But I think about volleyball all the time. Whether it’s watching film or scouting or just thinking about what I’m gonna do in the game ahead of time, I spend a lot of time thinking about it!
CSLV: Any teammates you've really had a special relationship with and what goals did you all set as a team for this season?
AC: Some of my best friends are Elli Amjadi and Raquel Ruiz who are both on the team which makes everything more fun! Everyone on the team gets along and we are all friends! Elli and I have been starting on the volleyball team together for 4 years now and we were friends before that so we have a special friendship because of it! As far as goals go we want to win a regional. We also want to win conference. We want to make Vernon Hills girls volleyball history! Two things that haven’t happened in a very long time in the girls volleyball program!
CSLV: What’s your favorite position to play on the court?
AC: I enjoy any front row position but I think middle is my favorite!
CSLV: What’s your favorite memory in volleyball?
AC: Winning the Harvard tournament my freshman and junior year! (VH won the tournament again on Saturday.)
CSLV: What’s your favorite pregame song to listen to?
AC: No Hands by Waka Flocka Flame
CSLV: Who is your favorite athlete?
AC: Aubrey Hamilton, Marquette Volleyball
CSLV: Do you play other sports?
AC: I play basketball
CSLV: Do you hope to pursue volleyball as a player or coach after high school?
AC: I would love to get the opportunity to play volleyball in college and maybe one day coach!