Dion all set for big switch

Huntley volleyball standout Amy Dion, a junior, could transition from libero to setter this season. Dion was recently named an All-American while playing in the AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships in June with her club team, Sky High 16 Black. (Danielle Guerra – dguerra@nwherald.com)

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HUNTLEY – Moments into a conversation with Amy Dion, it is clear why the Huntley junior is so well-respected and admired on area volleyball courts.

Dion, a mainstay in the Red Raiders’ lineup for the past two years, is as humble as she is bubbly, despite having the kind of talent that easily could consume athletes less levelheaded.

Laughing through conditioning drills with her teammates Monday as Huntley’s first summer camp session wrapped, Dion already appeared to have moved past her most recent accomplishment, thrusting all her energy and focus into the fast-approaching high school season.

She is about to embark on a new challenge, but to look at Dion, to talk to her, one never would know it. That easygoing attitude comes through; it hides the nerves, if they’re actually there.

“I might set this year,” said Dion, who had been a libero for Huntley. “It’s not for sure yet, but it’s a definite possibility.”

When asked if the task of running an entire offense instead of primarily being responsible for serve-receive and passing from the back row was daunting, Dion shrugged and laughed.
“It’s going to be a change,” she said, “but I want to do whatever I can to help the team.”

Dion has spent the summer helping her club volleyball team, Sky High 16 Black. The team won the prestigious AAU Junior National Volleyball Championships in late June, and Dion was named an All-American. The 16 Black headed to the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships afterward, where they finished third in the 16 open division.

The accolades could have gone to Dion’s head. But she has put that part of her training aside, along with the All-American status and the ribbons and the trophies.

That was club; this is high school, she said.

“That was amazing, but this is a new team and a new year, and there are new things that we want to focus on,” Dion said.

Topping the list is replacing veteran setter Amanda Carroll, who left a large void Dion hopes to fill.

Dion has been sharing setting responsibilities this summer but was taking on the bulk of the work during summer league at Great Lakes Center in Aurora. Huntley coach Michelle Jakubowski has been thrilled with Dion’s work.

“I don’t think it will be as much of a change for her as it looks,” Jakubowski said. “We are in a position now where no one wants to serve to Amy anyway because she is such a good serve-receiver.

“ ... Obviously it’s going to be different as a setter. You’ll touch the ball every single time. ... I know she’ll play libero in college, but this gives her another opportunity to show how good of a leader she is and showcase her overall skills.”

Dion probably realizes that, if she indeed is tapped to be the Raiders’ starting setter this year, she will fall into the role as naturally as possible. Volleyball seems to run in her blood, making Dion one of the most impressive defensive players in arguably the state’s biggest hotbed for volleyball talent.

Now she has a chance to show everyone she also is one of the most versatile.

“We have big expectations for this team,” Dion said. “We’ve made it to [a sectional final] the past two seasons, and we think the third time will be the charm.

“This team can do anything we want to do with some hard work.”