Lincoln-Way West’s Lily Goyer received some interesting news during her last visit to the doctor.
If opposing players think she’s intimidating as a 6-foot-2 junior in the middle, just wait.
“I don’t even know how it got brought up, but they measured how tall I was,” Goyer said. “They told me that since the last doctor’s appointment that I had, I grew half an inch or something.
“Then they told me I was going to grow more.”
Pretty exciting?
“Oh, yeah,” Goyer said, smiling. “That’s good for volleyball.”
Goyer isn’t just growing in height, she’s also growing in her contributions on the court for the Warriors (18-10), who figure to be one of the contenders this week for the championship of the Lincoln-Way Central Autumn Knights Tournament.
A three-year varsity regular, Goyer has 118 kills and a team-leading 59 blocks. One of her best efforts this season came in a SouthWest Suburban Conference showdown against Lockport with nine kills and four blocks as the Warriors took it to the limit before losing 25-21, 17-25, 25-17.
It wasn’t even as much as what she did on offense that impressed Lincoln-Way West coach Kendall Villa — it was what she didn’t allow the Porters to do.
“She did just a great job shutting down their middle,” Villa said of Goyer. “She really gets people excited, you know, when there are those solid blocks and the team gets excited for her.
“This year, we’ve really seen her come into her own.”
In an Oct. 10 match against Lincoln-Way East, Goyer was the team leader with five kills as the Warriors dropped a tight 25-17, 25-23 decision.
She was a clear standout.
“I’m feeling good,” Goyer said. “I feel that I’m a lot more confident. I think we’re all closer as a team and trust each other more. And it’s showing.”
Goyer’s emergence as a leader for the Warriors has been a sure, steady one. Villa brought her up to the varsity because, well, 6-footers can be helpful.
“I remember her being long and lanky,” Villa said. “She was a little awkward — the tall little girl on the team. But the girls really liked her. Everybody wanted to take care of her.”
To the point of giving her a nickname.
“Haha… my middle name is Danae,” Goyer recalled. “They started calling me ‘Nae Nae.’”
Goyer received some quality playing time, but sophomore Caroline Smith and junior Ashley Dace did the majority of the blocking in the middle.
“I remember when I was a freshman, I was so scared of Caroline,” Goyer said. “I don’t know why because she was the sweetest person in the whole school.
“Last year, we definitely got a lot closer. She was my ride to school, both for volleyball and classes.”
Smith, a Drake recruit, shares duties in the middle this season with Goyer. Her 203 kills is just one shy of team-leading outside hitter Elly Decker, a senior.
And Smith is not only Goyer’s ride to school but one of her biggest fans.
“Great swings, great blocks,” Smith said of Goyer. “She has really improved this season. Last season we started to get really close, and she’s one of my best friends on and off the court.”
Goyer also is one of the favorite targets of junior setter Claire Murphy.
“Working with Lily is so great,” Murphy said. “We connect very well. I feel I can trust her as a go-to person on the court. We always find each other very well.”
It’s a connection that clicks.
“She’s been out there every year, but this season, she has a little bit of spring in her step,” Villa said. “She is pushing back on those blocks. She’s coming around and hitting the slide. And she’s coming in for the quicks.
“I see this new leader on the court. She wants to be a great player. She wants to play in college. She’s excited about what her future might be after here.”
Tony Baranek is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
