Champlin Park’s Sydney Hilley committed to Wisconsin in the spring of her freshman year to be finished with the recruiting process and focus on improving in her sophomore season.
The focus paid off as the outside hitter/setter has paced the Rebels’ offense all season.
Hilley put her offensive skills to good use Tuesday, finishing with a team-high 17 kills to help the Rebels wrap up the Northwest Suburban Conference championship with a 25-8, 25-14, 25-21 victory over Blaine at Champlin Park High School.
Hilley thought Champlin Park had the talent and the drive to win the league championship this season, but she wasn’t sure the Rebels would accomplish the feat. She is satisfied with the result.
“I saw it as a possibility but it’s so rewarding,” she said. “After every practice, seeing how hard we’ve worked. I’m just really excited for everyone.”
An All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention selection last year, Hilley seems to be on pace to earn similar honors again.
She leads Champlin Park with 318 kills, 342 assists and 40 aces, while her 237 digs, 22 blocks and 16 block assists are second-best on the team.
Hilley’s ability to play two positions has been a boon for the Rebels, coach John Yunker said.
The setter began hitting last season and her athletic ability enables her to thrive on the left side, Yunker added.
“She’s a dynamic athlete,” Yunker said. “She can do pretty much anything,”
Hilley demonstrated her athletic ability in the third set, when she took a swing at a ball off a block and sent it towards the floor. She quickly stuck out her feet, popping the ball over the net and recording a dig.
“I just kind of kicked up my foot and it went over the net,” Hilley said. “I thought they were going to call something but they didn’t, so I just kept playing.”
Playing outside allows Hilley to be more aggressive but her heart is not in hitting.
“Setting is always going to be my passion,” Hilley said.
Teams have been focusing on stopping Hilley, but the sophomore is proving she can deal with the stressful situation, Yunker said.
“She knows people are going to key on her and she’s going to handle it,” he said.
Now that the Rebels have the conference championship, they are turning their attention towards the state Class 3A championship, Hilley said.
“I think we can go all the way as long as we stay humble and keep working hard,” she added. “I think we can do it.”
