Stevenson outside hitter Abby Inman has established herself as a top performer in Lake County. Her dedication goes beyond just playing well last season. Inman immediately began working towards improvement after her junior year concluded. ‘The second my junior season ended, I was already working out at my school gym, which has a huge facility,’ she shared. Inman attended private lessons with coaches from Sky High volleyball club and made the elite team, which contributed significantly to her readiness for the senior season.
At 5-foot-11, Inman’s skills were noticeable over the summer, according to Stevenson coach Tim Crow. ‘She just dominated in summer league play and looked like one of the best players on the court,’ Crow remarked. A strong season from Inman could enhance the Patriots’ performance, who last year ended with a 24-13 record, were 6-1 in the North Suburban Conference, and advanced to the Class 4A sectional semifinals.
Inman had 328 kills and 270 digs last season, earning all-conference honors and an all-state honorable mention. Her role as team captain provided valuable insights into leadership, further preparing her for her third varsity season. ‘I already knew how most of the practices ran and what the team needed to focus on when we were struggling,’ she said. ‘I also was given a chance to lead the team on the court and be the voice of what encouragement and help was needed.’
This leadership role was new for Inman, who had never captained a team before. ‘I learned that being a leader is not about being the loudest or the best, but rather about helping everyone else succeed and showing up for your team.’ Inman’s reliability is crucial, as noted by senior right-side hitter Audri Linnane. ‘Abigail is very reliable,’ Linnane said. ‘During pressure situations, the team is able to count on her to put the ball away.’
Inman shifted her focus to volleyball in seventh grade after playing tennis for five years. ‘I loved the fact that volleyball was a team sport,’ Inman said. ‘Tennis is a solo sport, so I always wished to be on a big team with a bunch of girls. I love the friendships I have made from playing volleyball. I also love the competitiveness of the sport.’
Inman began her high school career on Stevenson’s freshman A team, expanding her game and adapting to a new environment. She became a six-rotation outside hitter, fine-tuning her approach to win matches. ‘My goal used to be to hit the ball as hard as possible,’ she noted. ‘But going into that school volleyball setting, I realized the goal is to win. So I started to tip and roll-shot balls more often to end a rally and put my team in a better position to win.’
Even as a freshman, Inman showed promise, impressive characteristics that caught the attention of coach Crow. ‘We knew Abby was a gamer in her freshman year,’ he acknowledged. ‘Her focus was really good, and she still remains one of the most focused players on the court today.’
Inman’s consistent improvement stems from her dedication and strong focus on the game. ‘Abby has really improved a ton each and every year,’ Crow said. ‘She is looking really good.’
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.