Bykowski twins double their fun with Sky High team

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Lincolnshire's Peyton Bykowski is a defensive specialist for the Sky High Purple 15 squad. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media

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Updated: June 23, 2011 1:01PM

VOLLEYBALL — Understanding the nuances and strategy of the game is critical in volleyball, a sport that moves at a fast pace.

And those are the assets that Peyton and Alexa Bykowski possess.

“Their strengths are really the knowledge of the game,” said Mike Kamholz, who coaches the Sky High Volleball Club’s 15 Purple squad.

The fraternal twins, who also play volleyball at Stevenson High School, helped the Sky High 15 Purple earn a bid to the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships in Atlanta, set for June 27-30.

“We really have a strong bond and are really close,” Alexa said. “I know I can always count on Peyton — both on and off the court.”

The twins started playing volleyball at the age of 9, and then it was on to club volleyball as 12 year olds. Alexa, at 5-foot-8, is the team’s setter, while the Peyton (5-7) is a defensive specialist. When the ball comes Peyton’s way on the back row, her job is to get it to Alexa to set up the hitters.

“An advantage is that the sisters really play for each other,” Kamholz said. “Peyton looks a little harder to try and get that pass right to Alexa.”

Though twins, there are differences between the two.

“I’m a little bit more outgoing,” Peyton said. “Little bit more the ham.”

They also are different ages, sort of. Alexa is 22 minutes older.

When asked if Alexa holds it over her, Peyton is quick to reply, “All the time. All the time,” she said.

“Yeah, sometimes,” Alexa countered. “Just at home when she asks me to do a chore and I tell her I’m older.”

And when asked to share a fun volleyball story, each recounted a similar circumstance.

“Alexa was saving a ball and she dove into the ref stand,” Peyton said. “She was trying to get out of there and got stuck. Once I saw she was not hurt, it was very funny.”

Alexa was quick to counter.

“One time Peyton went to dive for the ball and she was so close to the sideline that she ended up stuck upside down, halfway through her roll and up against the chairs,” Alexa said. “Coach had to push her legs back off the chairs.”

The fraternal twins both have an identical goal as student/athletes, voiced by Peyton.

“I want to play volleyball in college,” Peyton said. “I hope to find a college where I can excel both academically and on the court.”