Rochelle seniors Ali Ohlinger and Taelynn Rodeghero have seen their chemistry grow since becoming teammates with the VC United club volleyball program.
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BELVIDERE — Rochelle seniors Ali Ohlinger and Taelynn Rodeghero have seen their chemistry grow since becoming teammates with the VC United club volleyball program. The talented duo served as a catalyst for the Lady Hubs on Monday evening, when the varsity volleyball team traveled for its season opening match against the Belvidere Bucs in nonconference action.
Rodeghero recorded a team-high 14 kills from the outside hitter position, while Ohlinger dished out 16 assists from the setter spot as the Lady Hubs took down Belvidere 25-17, 25-19 to start the season with a 1-0 record. Ohlinger added a team-high three aces for the Lady Hubs, who will return to the court with a nonconference home match against Dixon on Thursday evening.
“I thought we played really well as a team,” Ohlinger said. “Our juniors stepped up and I think we have the potential to do really well as the season moves forward. I thought we placed the ball well. Our hitters found openings and I thought we communicated well. We put the ball away quickly and we didn’t make too many errors… [Taelynn] and I know each other so well and that’s a big reason why we’re so successful. We do it for each other and not just ourselves.”
Senior libero Dempsey Atkinson added two aces for the Lady Hubs, who are returning multiple starters from last year’s roster. Atkinson and Rodeghero are both four-year varsity players, while Ohlinger enters her third year with the varsity team. With experience on both offense and defense, Rochelle’s returning players have their eyes set on winning a regional title this fall.
“I thought we did really well last season, but I’m excited to work with a new group of girls this season,” Rodeghero said. “It felt amazing to get back out there and we proved that we have what it takes to go really far this season. We knew we had the skills going in, so we had to focus on communicating what shots were open and who had which seams defensively… [Ali] and I do club volleyball together which definitely helps our chemistry, but we’re always testing and pushing each other in the gym and we’re always finding new ways to throw the other team off.”
Atkinson anchored the Rochelle defense on Monday, finishing with five digs. Both Rodeghero and Atkinson totaled seven service points for the Lady Hubs, who begin Interstate 8 Conference action with a home match against the Sycamore Spartans on Sept. 17. Rochelle will be looking to improve on its conference results from last season, when the team went 3-7 for fifth place.
“At the start of the season, we spent a lot of time getting to know the new girls and learning what their strengths and weaknesses are so we can improve on those,” Rodeghero said. “We want to make sure the new girls are comfortable and in an environment where they can grow. I think we can win the conference, we can win the regional and we can go as far as our minds are set to.”
