Metea Valley junior Ashley Ward is becoming an old pro at adapting to new situations.
When she was a freshman, Ward made the varsity team as a setter and started alongside Kelly McGrath in running a 6-2 offense for the Mustangs, who had won the Class 4A state title the year before.
Then Katie Schuele transferred to Metea Valley from Wheaton St. Francis last year and took over as the sole setter in a 5-1 offense. Ward got moved to right-side hitter.
“Ashley kind of got thrust into that role of more hitting and less setting,” Metea Valley coach Dave Macdonald said. “She hasn’t pouted. Her and Katie have been great setting in practice and kind of getting that tempo down. It took them a little bit last year because I think they were trying to figure out their role.”
Even so, Ward and Schuele worked well enough to help the Mustangs go 28-9 and win a regional title.
Another good season seems to be in store if their performance in the season opener on Tuesday is any indication. Schuele, an East Carolina commit, had 28 assists, 12 service points and four aces, while Ward had seven kills, five service points, two aces and a block as the Mustangs beat host Glenbard East 25-13, 25-18 in Lombard.
“I think we’ve meshed good,” Schuele said. “Ashley does great. Obviously, (right side) is not her first position, but she’s been doing a great job putting in the work at practice. We really appreciate her.”
Ward only plays right-side during the high school season. She sets for her club team and aims to play that position in college, but she has settled into her role for the Mustangs.
“I definitely think I’ve gotten a lot stronger since last year,” Ward said. “I’ve worked a lot during club season on all my other skills, and now I have to really work on my hitting to help lead the team on the right side.
“And me and Katie’s connection is really getting stronger. We’re working together really well, and as the season goes on, the timing is going to be perfect with every ball. It will be amazing.”
It was already pretty good against the Rams, who couldn’t stop Ward, no matter where she was hitting from, or many of her teammates.
Ward had four kills, including one from the left side, during the lopsided first set. She served both of her aces during a five-point service run that gave the Mustangs a 15-4 lead.
After Glenbard East closed within 19-10, Schuele set Ward on the left side for a kill, prompting Metea Valley’s cheering section to chant, “You can’t block that.” The Rams couldn’t block Ward on set point, either, as she clinched it with a kill from the right side.
“I felt very strong tonight,” Ward said. “I felt like with the practices we’ve had the last two or three weeks, I’ve already fell into the position of being a right-side, and that made me feel like I was really ready and prepared for tonight.”
The teamwork with Schuele, who ripped off 10 straight service points in the second set to put Metea Valley up 17-12, has helped prepare Ward. But that’s not the only source of help she has received. Ward’s mother, Sue, played middle blocker and some right-side at Illinois from 1991 to 1994.
Ward has grown 2 inches to 5-8 over the past two seasons. Her mother is 6-2, so perhaps there is more room for Ward to grow.
“You always hope she keeps growing,” Macdonald said. “She’s done everything we’ve asked for, from defense in the back row to attacking in the back row. She’s just a smart volleyball player. She’s been awesome.”
Ward doesn’t get many chances to set for the Mustangs, but she said playing right-side actually will benefit her in the future.
“I would prefer to be a setter at club, but I do really enjoy having the opportunity to hit on the right side so I can have lots more court awareness,” she said. “So when I go back to being a setter, I can change how I set my right-sides back in club.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
