Metea Valley senior defender Kyleigh Jannisch has gone back to the future in a way this season.
Can she take the Mustangs back to the top in the process?
Jannisch has played a variety of roles during her three-year varsity career, but the Winona State recruit is back where she started in 2022, when she played outside back on Metea Valley’s Class 3A state championship team.
“It’s definitely a switch,” Jannisch said. “But I like how at outside back you can attack more, and it just gives me a little bit more creativity that I used to have at an attacking position.
“I’m comfortable at all positions. Wherever I can contribute to the team, I want to be put there.”
Metea Valley coach Chris Whaley has moved Jannisch around since the Mustangs won the state title. She began her junior season at center back and finished it as an attacking midfielder.
Jannisch credits her early coaches with preparing her for multiple roles.
“Starting around middle school, I was kind of just put everywhere, and I really had to work to earn a spot on my club team, so I go wherever I need to be on the field,” she said. “That helped me become a more versatile player and be comfortable playing in different positions that other players may not be used to.
“That’s kind of where I got my joy for the sport because I realized I could be anywhere on the field and I’ll still love it.”
The Mustangs (12-2-1) love what Jannisch brings to the field.
“She’s a great kid, works hard, skilled player, understands the game and just has fun,” Whaley said. “She just likes to go play. We have a lot of trust in her. It’s nice when you can put a senior captain on defense. That goes a long way.”
That’s especially true when a team is starting a rookie at center back. Freshman Jessica Terada has excelled at that position.
“Kyleigh brings a lot to the team with her leadership and her hard work,” Terada said. “It really motivates everyone. When I’m having trouble understanding something, I always know I can go to Kyleigh and ask her. I’ve learned a lot from her.”
Terada and Jannisch have forged a tight connection, and not only on defense. Terada has scored two goals, both off assists from Jannisch, whose six assists are tied with junior midfielder Olivia Hernandez for the team lead.
Terada and Jannisch combined for a brilliant goal during the Mustangs’ 4-1 DuPage Valley Conference victory against host Waubonsie Valley in Aurora on Friday. Jannisch lofted a 20-yard free kick from just outside the left side of the box toward the far post, where the 5-foot-11 Terada headed it home for a 3-0 lead.
Jannisch said she and Terada did something similar during Metea Valley’s 4-0 win against Crystal Lake Central in the BodyArmor final on April 21.
“But it was off a corner kick,” Jannisch said. “That was the first time we finished on something like that. Just to see it happen again is always a good sign. We don’t usually work on it in practice, but when we do, we make the most of it.”
Jannisch, who plans to major in elementary education, is making the most of her final high school season. Mentoring young players like Terada is good preparation for her teaching career.
“It’s a really great experience,” Jannisch said. “They’re all very coachable, and they’re all positive. So whenever I give them feedback, they definitely take it and use it as much as they can.
“Having that understanding that we have each other’s back is definitely something that helps our D-line.”
The Mustangs are 53-5-5 during Jannisch’s career. Seeded second in the Plainfield North Sectional, Metea Valley will play 15th-seeded Plainfield South in the Naperville Central Regional semifinals on May 14.
“Every year we kind of go into it with the same mindset,” Jannisch said. “We’re just ready to do whatever we can to get the farthest.”
Regardless of how far the Mustangs get in the playoffs, Jannisch will leave behind a formidable record of leadership.
“I feel like I can influence a lot of people by the things I say and my work ethic and my ability to communicate with different teammates,” she said. “Some teammates may be more shy, some may be more vocal.
“That ability to kind of create this inclusivity and this motivation and drive throughout the entire team is something I want to leave as my legacy.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
