Libertyville senior outside hitter Molly Lyon has learned the value of patience during her volleyball career.
Lyon had to wait until this season to play varsity minutes.
“It was really hard, especially being on some high-level club teams over the years but not being on the varsity team because I had been fighting injuries,” she said.
Libertyville coach Greg Loika said the 5-foot-11 Lyon’s return to the court after two injury setbacks has benefited not only her but the program too. Lyon has emerged as a key leader for the Wildcats (22-12, 5-2), who had little varsity experience when the season started but contended in the North Suburban Conference and have a No. 1 seed in the Class 4A McHenry Sectional.
“For a team that only returned two varsity players from last season’s sectional championship team, we were in need of leadership and steadiness even from those who didn’t have the big-time varsity game experience under their belt,” Loika said. “She has helped to fill that role with her personality, warmth, demeanor and spirit, but also her competitiveness and drive to win.
“I know she wants her senior season to continue as long as possible, and we have the pieces to make a strong postseason push if it all comes together with her help and those around her.”
Indeed, Lyon also makes an impact with her play. She had 10 kills in each of Libertyville’s three-set victories against Lakes and Fremd, and she ranks third on the team with 130 kills this season.
“When she’s on, the team feeds off of her success and energy,” Loika said. “She can get on a roll and pile kills up in a hurry.”
Just as quickly, Lyon’s high school career was delayed when she broke her left foot playing beach volleyball before her freshman year.
“I was very upset because I had been looking forward to playing high school volleyball for a long time, and I was worried I would not be able to play at all,” she said.
Lyon played a few matches on Libertyville’s freshman A team toward the end of the season and then gained more experience as a sophomore on the junior varsity team.
But Lyon hit another roadblock in January 2023, when she tore the labrum in her right shoulder. Her injury sidelined her so long that she returned only in time to play for her club team after the high school volleyball season had already ended.
Lyon tried to make the best of the situation. She stayed in shape by running for Libertyville’s girls cross country team, focused more on her academics and started a charity, Molly’s Dollies, to provide dolls to kids in low-income families.
“It’s not a very large charity, but we distribute dolls to children in need at the pediatric wing at Northwestern Hospital,” Lyon said. “Ever since I was little, I loved playing with dolls. I thought every little girl should have an opportunity to play with them like I had.
“So far, I’ve given out over 100 dolls. It’s so exciting to see the little girls have the same experience I had.”
Libertyville junior middle hitter Avery Maddux said she appreciates Lyon’s optimism as a teammate.
“Molly is always positive and tries to keep the energy up on the court,” Maddux said. “She keeps everyone accountable and has very insightful things to say that help guide the team.”
Libertyville sophomore libero Charlie Fleegle said Lyon inspires her teammates.
“(Molly) radiates positivity, is uplifting to other teammates,” Fleegle said. “Also, when needed, she brings the right words at the right time and can always be counted on to have the right thing to contribute, which our team has needed.”
Loika also noted Lyon’s upbeat attitude.
“Molly has an infectious smile, a can-do attitude,” Loika said. “She’s one of the first players to jump in the arms of girls after their successes and someone who is always looking to perfect her craft, working hard in practice, always asking questions and looking for all the ways she can positively impact the team.”
Lyon, who has a 4.33 GPA, said her volleyball career will end after the season. But she’s aiming to extend it well into November. Libertyville begins the playoffs with a match against seventh-seeded Grant or ninth-seeded Round Lake in the Round Lake Regional semifinals on Tuesday.
“I feel like the team has built a lot of chemistry, and that’s helped individual players get better, including myself,” Lyon said. “I think we have a lot of potential.
“It was hard for me to wait so long to play, but it made me so much more grateful when I was able to play this season.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
