A mid-Summey classic for Andrew
Senior middle hitter comes through as Thunderbolts top rival Tinley Park
Andrew senior Mikayla Summey is one tough customer.
A 6-foot middle hitter in volleyball, she has played two sports most of her high school career with patellar tendinitis.
“I just developed it, I think, because of COVID,” Summey said. “Taking such long of a break from sports, it came once we started later in the following spring.
“Also, because I’m so tall, it doesn’t help.”
Summey still went the distance Monday night for the Thunderbolts in a grueling 25-14, 18-25, 25-20 nonconference victory over host Tinley Park.
Katelin Simms led Andrew (11-21) with 11 kills. Julita Latka added nine kills, while Summey contributed five. Emma Smola landed five aces and made 24 digs, while Della Walsh had 23 assists.
Kaylah Forrest tallied six kills (19-7) for Tinley Park. Megan Piotrowski picked up 17 digs, while Sara Henry notched 20 assists.
Summey sat during the second game, but was a big contributor in both games that the Thunderbolts won.
In the first game, one of her kills was part of a serving run by Smola that produced an early 7-1 lead.
Summey’s biggest kill stalled a late rally in the third game by Tinley Park. It was a push shot on a quick set from Walsh to make it 24-20. Latka followed with another to clinch the victory.
Walsh wasn’t afraid to set the middle on a big point.
“I love Mikayla,” Walsh said. “It’s easy for her to give me feedback because we’ve played for six years together. We often have a good connection.”
Walsh had an extra motivation to play in the battle between crosstown rivals.
Her cousin, junior Mia Taglioli, was on the other side of the net for Tinley Park. Taglioli finished with five kills.
“We’re really close,” Walsh said, smiling. “We both play travel volleyball, so we’re always doing