The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Tucek sisters provide drive for Berkshire
Senior McKenna Tucek and her sister Delaney have helped Berkshire off to a good start and the team has its sights set on postseason success. Plus Nate Barnes’ notes and the Top of the Crop.
McKenna Tucek is often the most noticeable player in any volleyball match she plays.
When the Berkshire outside hitter leaps, her apex clears 10 feet. The smack of her powerful swings connecting with volleyballs set her way reverberates within gymnasiums.
When the Badgers set her, it’s a near-guarantee Tucek will put the ball down to score. Seemingly, the only way to stop her is to hope Tucek’s shot flies wide or sails long — a rare occurrence for the precise hitter.
As Tucek’s teammates watch after passes are sent her way, her sister has the only description apt for their emotions.
“It’s hype,” freshman Delaney Tucek said. “It’s so exciting.”
Behind McKenna, a senior and returning All-Ohio honorable mention, and her sister Delaney Tucek, the Badgers are so far exceeding the hype that usually precedes a Berkshire volleyball season. Coach Joni Prots’ team claimed a share of the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley title last season before falling to Garrettsville in a district final.
Now in her final high school season, McKenna Tucek is focused on leading the Badgers beyond the district level in 2017.
“Everybody looks to her to be a leader and she definitely is,” Prots said. “She’s doing a great job of keeping everybody together and just letting everybody know to calm down and play our game.”
Tucek’s leadership was on display in a match win at rival Cardinal Sept. 5, which moved Berkshire to 5-0.
The Badgers and Huskies were tied late in the first set, 21-21. Berkshire set Tucek for a vital 22nd point, then she scored the 24th to stake her team to a 1-0 match lead.
Berkshire won the match in four sets, although the Huskies led each game early. Prots credited Tucek’s calm demeanor and positivity in the Badgers’ ability to overcome deficits.
“I’ve always been a leader,” Tucek said. “I feel it’s my responsibility as a player and a senior to carry the team. Anybody can be a leader at any age, (Delaney) can be a leader. She is a leader. She’s stepped up to fill the shoes.”
Delaney Tucek is the only freshman on the varsity roster, but already a mainstay in Prots’ rotation as Berkshire’s libero.
Tucek leads the team with 3.1 digs per set this season, just ahead of her sister at 2.9. She is second on the team with 10 aces, behind McKenna’s 19.
McKenna again leads the Badgers in kills. She averaged 4.5 per set when she was named co-CVC MVP last season, and boasts a team-best 4.1 average through 18 sets this season.
The sisters keyed a second-set comeback against Cardinal, although the Huskies claimed it, 27-25.
The Badgers trailed, 1713, when McKenna’s kill regained service for the Badgers. During her run, Berkshire closed Cardinal’s lead to a point.
Delaney’s service followed. Behind her, the Badgers took a 21-18 lead to force a Huskies timeout.
McKenna finished the match with 18 kills, 11 digs and six aces. Delaney Tucek racked up 14 digs, a teamhigh 25 service receptions and three aces. Among the 10 juniors or seniors on Berkshire’s roster, the younger Tucek has quickly proven her mettle.
“She doesn’t let the pressure get to her,” McKenna said. “When we’re in (tough) situations, yeah, everybody makes mistakes, but she’s mentally tough enough to shake it off.”
The Tuceks are playing volleyball competitively as teammates for the first time, but Delaney says she’s learned everything from her big sister — communication, leadership and resilience.
“It’s not just about us,” Delaney said. “Everyone just puts in work for the whole team.”
Among the rest of their teammates, there’s no doubt as to what the program’s goals are this season.
“We want to win districts,” McKenna said. “CVC first, then districts.”