Sam Satisky ’28, Christian Hirschboeck ’25
Staff Writer, Editor-in-Chief
satiskys@lakeforest.edu, hirschboeckcia@lakeforest.edu
The Lake Forest volleyball team is currently navigating a tough season filled with adversity as injuries have plagued their roster. With Midwest Conference play rapidly approaching, the team remains focused on overcoming these challenges to make a strong push toward their ultimate goal of winning the conference championship.
Staff Writer Sam Satisky and Editor-in-Chief Christian Hirschboeck recently took the time to interview libero and defensive specialist Juli Barrientos about the season and the problems the team has faced so far.
“Due to having a small roster to begin with, and then facing all the injuries that have come up has been very challenging and disheartening for all of us,” she said about the problems the team has had to endure. “However, I think a lot of us have done an amazing job stepping up into roles that the coaches need us to fill. We all know that we need to continue to move forward regardless of who is on the court or not.”
Despite the setbacks, the team is laser-focused on both their physical and mental well-being, which are essential factors in their resilience.
“This season, the girls and I have really been focusing on our physical and mental health outside and inside the gym,” Barrientos said. “We are taking time to do rehab and recovery outside of practice, as well as making sure we are fueling our bodies efficiently.”
As non-conference play draws to a close, the team is determined to use these games as opportunities for growth and preparation ahead of critical Midwest Conference (MWC) matches.
“As conference play is about to be in full swing, we do have remaining non-MWC games that we need to continue to use to our advantage,” she said. “Most of our non-MWC games have been against very solid teams and we are just using these opportunities to improve our gameplay for our conference matches.”
The team’s perseverance has been one of their strongest assets this season, as they have repeatedly risen to meet the demands brought by difficult circumstances.
“I believe that this team has very good perseverance in challenges that we have been faced with. We are very quick to respond, and we have shown time and time again that we are able to respond well,” Barrientos said. “We are all determined to remain disciplined in achieving a positive mindset and to just continue moving forward with the goals we have set for ourselves.”
Despite the challenges, the team continues to support one another, fostering a strong sense of unity.
“This season we have done many good things, like responding when needed and supporting one another,” she said. “I think with all the challenges that have appeared during the season so far, we’ve really been needing to lean on one another. I know I can always rely on the girls to uplift me.”
With their sights set on the MWC championship, the team knows the road ahead won’t be easy, but they are more determined than ever to succeed.
“One major goal is to win the conference championship because we all know we are more than capable of being ‘that’ team,” Barrientos said. “That is our biggest goal, but before then we need to lock in and take care of business with these conference matches.”
After a homecoming loss to Monmouth College on October 5, as of writing the team is set to play a non-conference match at Dominican University on October 8 at 7 p.m.
Go Foresters.
