August 25, 2025 - The Kishwaukee College volleyball team is entering the 2025 season with confidence, depth, and determination. Head Coach Zach Salapatek expects this year's squad to make a strong impact across the region. "I expect us to be competitive across the region this season. We've got a great group of very competitive players making up a well-rounded team that is going to fight for every point," said Coach Salapatek.

The roster is highlighted by a balance of returning talent and players stepping into new roles: Sophomore Brooklyn Rylko (Hiawatha HS) has shown tremendous growth and is expected to make a big difference at the net after putting in an "unbelievable amount of work this offseason."  Sophomore Kennedy Adamski (Rochelle Township HS) will thrive in a new position designed to maximize her skill set and strengths. Adisyn Galijatovic (Fr. DeKalb HS) who earned multiple Player of the Week and Player of the Tournament honors last season at DeKalb High School, brings a relentless work ethic and offensive intelligence, combining placement and power to remain unpredictable and versatile. Kaelynn Larson (Fr. Ashton Franklin Center HS)  is one of the team's most well-rounded athletes, capable of excelling in every position. She contributes consistently as an offensive player across all three front-row positions, as a back-row attacker, and as a defensive force with reliable passing. Health and recovery have also been key for the team heading into the season. Marisah Holland (So. Genoa-Kingston HS) returns from an ACL injury, while Lily Roach (So. DeKalb HS) has overcome ankle injuries after a summer focused on recovery and training. Both are expected to make a significant impact.  Returning sophomores Laney Archibald (Stillman Valley HS) and Cara Fant (Sycamore HS) and new freshmen Zoe Elder and Mia Siddall (both from Hiawatha HS) will keep the rotation strong and put pressure on the opposing teams from their spots on the court.

Coach Salapatek emphasized the team's resilience and character on and off the court: "You can expect the team to never quit. In good times and bad, they're going to keep giving it all they have. They're going to come together and fight for each other on the court, at every point. They will also be great students in the classroom, active in the school and the community. These girls are some of the most positive people you will interact with, and I have never been anything except proud of how they represent the program, the school, and themselves off the court."

With a combination of grit, skill, and leadership, Kishwaukee volleyball is ready to make this season one to remember

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In the Opening Weekend Tournament held in Rockford, IL Friday, August 22 and Sunday, August 24, the Kougars went 1-3 to kick-off the season schedule.  Kish lost 25-11. 25-11 and 25-20 to Lake Region State College (ND) with Adamski and Rylko leading in kills while Roach had 11 assists and both Fant and Larson with 8 digs apiece.   Match two on Friday saw the Kougars fall 25-15, 25-12 and 25-20 to Finger Lakes CC (NY).   Rylko had 5 kills while Adamski and Larson each had 4. Roach had 14 assists and Galijatovic and Larson had 8 digs each and Fant 7.  Sunday's first match went to Kish 25-16, 16-25, 27-25, 16-25 and 15-11 over Dakota College at Bottineau (ND).    Galijatovic had 14 kills followed by Larson with 11 and Adamski 10.  Fant had 20 digs, with Larson at 13, Roach 11 and Elder with 8 digs as Roach had 35 assists.  The final match was a 25-13, 25-15, 25-12 loss to Danville Area CC.  Adamski led the way with 4 kills and Siddall with a kill while Roach led the way with 9 assists.  The Kougars (1-3 overall) will travel to Sandburg College on August 27 at 6:00 pm in their first Arrowhead Conference match-up.