The Timothy Christian girls volleyball team has been plenty busy at the start of the 2026 season.
The Trojans burned through 15 matches in the first three weeks, posting a strong 12-3 overall mark.
Timothy won its own co-hosted Timothy Christian-Westmont tournament title and took second at the Evergreen Park tournament. Coach Scott Piersma noted the Trojans also had strong non-conference wins against Wheaton St. Francis, Riverside-Brookfield and Rockford Christian.
At Evergreen Park, Mia VanHekken, Sophie Kwak and Audrey Williams earned all-tournament honors.
Through 15 matches, VanHekken had 116 kills, 92 digs and 13 aces, while Williams had 80 kills and 14 blocks. Maddie Rudman had 96 kills, 95 digs and 11 aces. Kwak had 309 setting assists, 80 digs and 11 aces. Kate Vogelzang had 115 digs and 22 aces, while Alexis Brandsma had 51 digs and 17 aces.
“We have been efficient offensively,” said Piersma, whose team hit .266 through the first 15 matches and was getting kills on more than 40 percent of the swings it took. “Keeping the errors down has helped us to stay in matches against tough opponents.”
Piersma noted Kwak has been key in the Trojans’ offensive success. “Even though we graduated our top two hitters and a three-year setter, we haven’t missed much of a beat,” he said. “Sophie has taken the reins offensively, running a 5-1 very efficiently. Shine is a great athlete and has a very high volleyball IQ as evidenced by her ability to read and anticipate defensively and offensively better than most girls I have seen.”
Piersma added the Trojans are continuing to work defensively making sure to have a solid unit across the board.
“Working in a new middle, right side, outside and setter can take time on the defensive end making sure blocks are solid, closed and in the right position. We are starting to get hands on more attacks, telling us we are moving in the right direction,” he explained.
Also individually, Piersma explained returning libero Vogelzang “has been a great player to have anchor the back line defensively with all of the front line changes,” he said.
Piersma said Williams has been able to hit at a high percentage (over .400) “and creates a lot of matchup problems for opposing teams,” he said, and also noted VanHekken “is doing a great job on the outside finding kills by mixing up her shots,” he said.
Timothy started Chicagoland Christian Conference play this week. “Chicago Christian and Wheaton Academy will be challenging us this year as we work towards our fourth-straight conference championship,” Piersma said.
