'Complete package': IVC phenom cements status as one of Peoria's all-time volleyball greats

FARMINGTON — Chants of "overrated" echoed from the Farmington student section.

The six-win Farmers had taken a two-point lead on Illinois Valley Central, including a block on reigning Journal Star player of the year Kenna Wollard. This added fuel to the raucous Farmington faithful as the cheers grew louder and louder.

But 67 points later, the Grey Ghosts were headed home with a two-set victory — their 27th win of the season and 14th against Class 2A squads.

When asked if Wollard regularly received those types of jeers, she said: “Probably a couple of times this season, but not every play I do something wrong.

"Usually, I try to take it as a little bit of motivation, and you know play harder, get some bigger swings and try to hopefully stop them from saying that …”

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A milestone and more

Big swings haven’t been the problem for the Purdue-bound 6-foot-1 senior during her decorated prep days during which she’s been ranked among the nation’s top players. She’s fast approaching a Peoria-area milestone — the all-time career mark of 1,697 kills set by Morton’s Allison McGlaughlin between 2004 and 2007.

At 1,650 kills, Wollard is 48 away from that mark with three regular-season matches remaining — plus a likely deep postseason run. She had a monster junior season where she recorded 526 kills. She has 513 this season, through Saturday, including a 32-kill match against Lena-Winslow in the Pekin Tournament title that tied for the ninth-most kills in a match in state history.

IVC (28-3-1) also needs a trio of victories to set the school record for wins in a season.

However, those marks will be just a footnote for the versatile outside hitter, who wants to leave much more upon graduation. Wollard says she wants people to know that she was there for her teammates, leading by example whether at practice or in a match and fully understanding volleyball as a team sport.

“I really hope that I leave like a legacy of someone that’s very hard-working,” Wollard said, “but then I also want to be (seen as) a really good teammate.”

It's gotta be the shoes

And if her play doesn’t catch your attention, Wollard’s shoes definitely will.

She sports a pair of Nike-brand Air Jordan with a unique fluorescent colorway. Only one other player Wollard has seen wears the same basketball, not volleyball shoes.

“I wanted to get something different,” she said, “and I feel like a lot of the people have some of the same shoes. … I love Jordans.”

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‘The complete package’

Shelly Stoner has faced Wollard on two separate occasions this season. The Limestone coach saw her team tie IVC at the Ottawa Tournament in August, then handed the Ghosts a two-set loss four days later.

Stoner says she based her entire gameplan around Wollard, from serving to her and keying the block on her.

“I just think Kenna Wollard is the complete package,” Stoner said. “She can do everything.”

Stoner says Wollard’s game possesses elements from each of Limestone’s three great hitters from the past.

“She’s got the heavy arm like Brittany (Robinson),” Stoner said. “She can score front row, back row, any six rotations. She’s got the mental toughness of a Bailee Dunne, and she’s got the volleyball IQ of like how smart she plays like a Reilly Dunne.

“So, you put all three of those faucets together and you just have a really solid player. … Kenna just has it all.”

‘Feels like a dream’

Purdue and head coach Dave Shondell saw that total package and more when the Big Ten Conference school was one of over 100 colleges to offer Wollard. Her decision to attend the West Lafayette, Indiana-based university last July still doesn’t seem real.

“Just feels like a dream,” Wollard said. “I, honestly, couldn’t see myself going anywhere else. I just think they’ve been so welcoming. It’s just such a good culture there.

“Everybody works hard, and everybody wants the same thing at that place. I know a lot of people say that about other schools but think Purdue is just different, especially since it’s a family culture.”

Wollard will be on campus before she knows it, too. Wollard is taking a heavy course load this semester to graduate in January. This includes two online college courses through Illinois Central College, allowing her to come to school at 1:05 p.m. once a week.

Once dressed in old gold and black, Wollard will be able to put in work during the spring season and be prepared once her freshman year starts next fall.

State is the goal

For now, Wollard’s focus remains on the finale of her high school season. She’s quick to point out that IVC has a ton of talent at all positions, is working really hard, communicating and motivating each other all with a singular focus.

Not to mention the Ghosts patrol the net with a trio of six-footers: Wollard, 6-foot-2 Mairen Mannon and 6-foot-3 Lizzy Short.

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“I think it’s definitely rare to find that in high school,” Wollard said of IVC’s height. “You usually don’t have three tall players that all play club (volleyball) on the same team. … It’s pretty intimidating for some of the other teams when they see that.

“It’s super helpful because we put up the big block.”

Everyone returning from the 2021 squad remembers losing last season in the Elite Eight — a win away from the 2A state finals.

“I really think that last year helped a lot because we were able to experience that,” Wollard said. " Our goal is to make it to state.”

Keep working

Following Wednesday’s match in Farmington, Wollard was approached by a younger Farmington JV player, asking for advice on how to improve her game. Wollard took the time to tell her to concentrate on serve-receive and to make sure to hit the ball at the highest point.

“Keep working hard and putting in those reps,” Wollard added, “because reps are what makes you confident.”

Do opposing players normally seek out to pick your brain on the game?

“Not usually,” Wollard said with a smile. “It was sweet.”

Adam Duvall is a Journal Star sports reporter. Email him at aduvall@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @AdamDuvall.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA volleyball: IVC's Purdue-bound Kenna Wollard all-time Peoria player