Vernon Hills-based Sky High team flies off to nationals

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Kara Maleski, who is 6-foot-4, plays a major role on the Sky High 15 Purple team. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: October 26, 2011 1:56AM

VOLLEYBALL — Fingers were crossed tightly after the Sky High 15 Purple team failed to receive an automatic bid to the 2011 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships in Atlanta.

The squad finished fourth in the Great Lakes Regional qualifier, and only the top three finishers are guaranteed a trip to nationals. But there was still the possibility of an at-large bid.

“There was hope for the bid to come through,” said Stevenson High School sophomore Kara Maleski, a middle blocker for Sky High.

Well, besides the fingers and hope, there must have been a rabbit’s foot, because the team — consisting of local high school players — got the bid. The squad leaves for Atlanta on Sunday, with play scheduled for June 27-30.

“I kept checking my phone and e-mail every five seconds,” said outside hitter Rachel Ziegler, who plays for Warren, about the wait that paid off.

With headquarters in Crystal Lake, the elite Sky High club also has teams based in Vernon Hills — including 15 Purple, which practices at Adversity Volleyball Club.

Area players on the team who will be high school sophomores include Maleski — along with two other Stevenson players, Alexa and Peyton Bykowski — Elise Palombella (Lake Forest), Haley Nedelka (Carmel), Alania Murphy (Buffalo Grove) and Alex Basler (Libertyville). Basler, who will be a freshman at Libertyville, was recently brought up from the highly successful Sky High 14 Purple team.

“It is really exciting to have the opportunity to go with such a talented team and great coaches,” Basler said.

Competition will be intense, with the best of the best from around the country on board. The 15s bracket will have nearly 60 teams vying for the age-group trophy.

“Last year, we went — and that was the reward,” said Sky High 15 Purple coach Mike Kamholz. “This year, we kind of expected to make it, so we’re looking to finish in the top half.”

The team showed its mettle during the weekend, placing second in its 56-team age group in the ASICS Junior National Championships at Navy Pier. Teams traveled to Chicago from as far away as Puerto Rico and Colorado.

A lot of the team’s success stems from its intimidating front line, averaging over 6-foot-1. Maleski leads the way at 6-4.

“At 6-4, she gives us a real presence at the net,” Kamholz said. “She gives us a lot of defense. The other thing she does is, Kara draws attention, which makes other hitters successful.”

But it’s not just the height that enables 15 Purple to excel.

“Our height is there, but it’s our quickness,” Kamholz said. “You can have all the height in the world and not be quick with it, and that’s not going to do you any good.”

Other players on 15 Purple include Grayslake Central’s Alex Dahlstrom and Leah Malinois, along with Halie Hart (Westosha Central).