Junior outside hitter Aubrey Deverick prefers to let her skills shine on the court for Sandburg’s volleyball team. Though she claims not to be a talented singer, she picked up the microphone for senior night and, with the support of underclassmen, delivered the national anthem.
“We got the idea from watching other teams sing it,” Deverick said. “I’m not a good singer, but others are OK.”
The performance, according to Eagles coach David Vales, surpassed expectations. “They claimed they sing all the time and assured they could handle it,” Vales noted. “I told them to take it seriously as it honors the country, and they assured me they would.” He was impressed with their unpracticed rendition.
On the court, Deverick stood out. She recorded four kills and an ace, contributing to Sandburg’s 25-12, 25-21 victory over Bradley-Bourbonnais in the SouthWest Suburban Conference match in Orland Park. Bella Maras dominated with nine kills and three blocks, while Mya Slowikowski managed six kills, and Ellery Dyra added five. Harper Yuska and Olivia Woolman led Bradley with four and three kills respectively.
Sandburg encountered a tense moment in the second game when a 21-12 lead shrunk to 22-21. Deverick’s crucial kill secured momentum for the Eagles to clinch the win. “It was good for us to start strong on senior night with lots of emotions,” Deverick remarked. “It was close, but we executed well.”
Standing at 5’10”, Deverick is an asset after moving from the right side to an outside hitter this season. Coach Vales emphasized her significant role. “Aubrey controls the game and scores when needed,” Vales said. Previously, he kept Deverick on the freshman team for leadership growth. “Learning to lead at your level is crucial,” he explained.
Bella Maras, considering a college career in sand volleyball, acknowledged Deverick’s positive influence. “Aubrey brings great energy to the team,” Maras stated. “It’s fun being around her and the other girls daily.”
The Eagles have faced challenges this season. Coach Vales admits the record is not as hoped, but believes in making a comeback. “We’ve played top state and national teams. It’s about learning resilience,” Vales expressed.
Deverick sees potential for improvement. “We need to overcome obstacles and push through,” she said confidently.