The Timothy Christian girls volleyball team has enjoyed immense success in recent times.
Since 2019, the Trojans have won five regional titles and a pair of sectional crowns to go with a state third-place finish in 2024. Since 2023, coach Scott Piersma’s club has won 127 matches.
And with four starters back from a 2025 team that won a Class 3A regional title, the Trojans are looking to extend that run of success.
Back for Timothy are returning starters Audrey Williams (6-1, middle blocker, senior), Kate Vogelzang (5-7, defensive specialist, senior), Mia VanHekken (5-8, outside hitter, junior) and Maddie Rudman (5-11, outside hitter, sophomore). Alexis Brandsma (5-4, defensive specialist, junior) also returns.
Williams registered 140 kills, 40 blocks and hit .445 on her way to earning all-state honorable-mention honors. She was also all-tournament at Evergreen Park. Vogelzang had 281 digs, 53 assists and 33 service aces, while VanHekken had 121 kills, 81 digs and 61 aces. Rudman had 52 kills, 30 blocks and 51 digs, while Brandsma had 127 digs and 21 aces. Rudman is moving to the outside hitter position this season after a year at the right-side hitter slot.
Key newcomers to the team include senior middle Avery Tazelaar (5-10) and sophomore right-side hitter Peyton Dorsey (5-9).
“While we lost a lot at the net to graduation, we return all of our back defensive unit,” said Piersma, whose squad went 29-6 last year and won the Chicagoland Christian Conference regular-season (10-0) and conference tournament titles. Timothy lost to Class 3A state runner-up Nazareth Academy in a sectional semifinal.
“Kate Vogelzang and Alexis Brandsma give us a solid duo that we can count on in serve-receive and defense. If we can play well in that phase, then the offense with Mia, Audrey, Avery and Maddie will be able to look like years past.”
Piersma noted Williams possesses great potential. “She will be our No. 1 middle and has the ability to be the best out there,” he said. “After being our No. 2 the last two years, Audrey is ready to dominate.”
The coach added VanHekken is not as explosive as some recent Timothy outside hitters of old (Abby Vander Wal and Bella Potempa), but is smart and crafty at the pin. “After a year learning as a sophomore, she was solid by the end of last year,” Piersma said. “I am excited to see what her junior year looks like.”
Piersma noted that Rudman is an outside by trade, but filled a need last year as a freshman on the right side. “Now, she will move back into her normal position after a great club season,” he said.
While there are plenty of returnees, Piersma said the offense still is a bit of an unknown as the Trojans start the season.
“Not that we are lacking firepower, but knowing how efficient we can be with a new setter,” he explained. “Audrey can be unstoppable and both Mia and Maddie are strong outsides. It will depend on how effectively we can get them sets.”
Piersma said setting is ultimately the team’s biggest question mark right now. “After graduating Elizabeth Alex (3-year starting setter), we will be working in a new group of setters. If all goes well, then we will be able to be just as potent and powerful as any year in the past.”
The Trojans will compete in an expanded Chicagoland Christian Conference with the additions of Chicago Christ the King and Aurora Rosary moving the loop up to 10 teams.
“We have a goal for our fourth straight conference championship, but will have to compete with Chicago Christian and Wheaton Academy for that honor,” Piersma said. “We should finish somewhere in the top three.”
