Jaelyn Donald helped save the Moraine Valley women’s volleyball team.
Gloria Coughlin, a Moraine Valley Hall of Fame coach from 1989-2013, heard rumblings that the program might have to be shut down because it was having a hard time finding a coach.
“I said, ‘Over my dead body,’’’ Coughlin said.
When word reached the school that alum Donald was interested, the wheels were set in motion and Coughlin even agreed to return to the bench to help the 22-year-old Donald as an assistant this fall.
The Cyclones opened the season 1-1 mark, beating Wright 25-11, 25-17, 25-18 on Aug. 21 at home and falling 25-21, 24-26, 15-16, 23-25, 15-13 to visiting Triton the next night.
Just a short time from leading the Cyclones to the NJCAA nationals in 2022, Donald is now sitting in the boss’ seat.
“Honestly, it was really nerve-wracking,” Donald said after her first match. “I didn’t think I had the ability to be on this court and just be myself. But being out here, it actually feels like I’m back on the team.”
She said that there are players on the team who are very close to her age.
“It’s not intimidating,” she said. “It makes me want to be a mature and responsible coach. It’s a learning process. I want to be close with them and I enjoy it.”
After her playing days at Moraine, Donald played and was a student at Indiana Northwest.
Coaching was on the TF South graduate’s radar, but she never expected to be a head coach so quickly.
“I knew that the minute I graduated, I wanted to be a coach,” she said. “I never knew that this opportunity would come to me so soon. I couldn’t waste the opportunity.
“But I did have doubts. It’s a college team and I didn’t know if I had the ability because of my age. But it’s about being out of my comfort zone and trying something new.”
Coughlin still works at the school and is glad the program was saved after Lauren Lorenz coached at the school for nine seasons.
“She still in player mode and I remember when I started coaching, I was still in player mode,” Coughlan said of Donald. “But I think she’s doing great.”
Donald is appreciative to have an experienced coach on the bench with her.
“She is holding me down and couldn’t ask for a better assistant coach,” Donald said of Coughlin.
This year’s squad features plenty of local talent.
Sophomores Chloe McGregor-Paterson and Cameron Szyszka are from Sandburg, while sophomore Amanda Pocica is from Stagg. The Cyclones also feature freshmen Tegan Coylder (Chicago Christian) and Meara Nicholson (Shepard).
Morton soccer stunner
Morton College’s women’s soccer team upset Kansas City Kansas 1-0 on Aug. 23 in Cicero.
KC was ranked seventh in the nation among NJCAA Division II schools.
Sophomore Ruby Hogan scored the lone goal and freshman Zoe Hocke made 30 saves in the upset.
Hounds make draft picks
The Chicago Hounds selected Life University loosehead prop Elias Garza in the first round of the Major League Rugby College Draft on Aug. 21. He was the sixth pick overall.
Garza is a Texas native who played five years — including a graduate season — with Life.
Bastian Brunello, a native of France who played fullback at Mount St. Mary’s in Maryland, was drafted in the second round and 14th overall.
Taken in the third and final round at No 23 was Walsh fullback Lachlan McDonald.
Andrew announces Hall members
Andrew will host its Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sept. 17.
Former longtime athletic director Rich Piatchek, former football star Jarvion Franklin, former softball standout Kelly Christner, former basketball star Jubril Adekoya and athletic trainer Tom Bentley will be inducted.