With a 23-4 record, Joliet is in the midst of one of its best volleyball seasons in recent memory. Byerly, the team's setter and lone senior, has a lot to do with it. Despite an ankle injury to key hitter Sara Williamson last weekend, Byerly helped the J-Hawks win their first district tournament since 1988. If they play as well at the Southern C Divisional this weekend, the J-Hawks could be headed to their first state tournament since 1995.

Q: What are the main reasons for your team's successful season?

A: We have a really good group of girls. We don't have one person on our team that doesn't want to do well. There aren't any bad apples in the whole bunch. We care for each other. We're like a big family and that has a lot to do with it.

Q: Did you expect to win more than 20 matches?

A: No. I didn't. I thought each game would be pretty tough. I didn't expect to win as much as we did. We've really come together as a group.

Q: How thrilling was it to win the district tournament?

A: It was huge. We lost our big outside hitter, Sara Williamson, in the semifinal match against Bridger. We weren't really prepared for that. We just came out and decided to do our best and do what we could. We played with so much heart.

Q: How has the injury to Sara Williamson affected your team?

A: I think it made everybody realize that you can't take things for granted. In the (district) championship match we all needed to step up and pull our weight and play the best game we've every played. Janice Erickson, a freshman, came in, and we had a sophomore, Mariaya Seymour, playing in the back row. They both played great.

Q: How has the roster shakeup changed the way you set, if at all?

A: It hasn't. Janice gets the ball in play and puts it where it needs to be put. The first game against Absarokee she had 10 kills, which is huge. We all trust each other. I knew she would make the plays. I've had to use my middles a little more and they've been killing the ball.

Q: How have you handled the role of the team's only senior?

A: I lead by words. I try to think of something motivational to get everybody fired up before each game. I knew I needed to become a leader this year. I'm a senior. This is it for me.

Q: Finish this sentence: "If we make the state tournament … "

A: … I'd be very proud of our team and we'll just go out there and give it our best. Really, all we can do in a state tournament is go out and kick some fanny I guess (laughs). There's no pressure for us to get there or anything, but I know we have the team to do it.

- Greg Rachac