Aubrey Deverick Shines for Sandburg in Sports and Spirit

Junior outside hitter Aubrey Deverick prefers demonstrating her skills on the volleyball court for Sandburg. Despite admitting she lacks singing talent, Deverick took the spotlight on senior night by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” with underclassmen gathered in support.

“We saw another team singing the anthem at earlier games, and we wanted to try it,” Deverick explained. “Even though I’m not the best singer, the others sounded fine.” Coach David Vales agreed that they performed admirably. “They assured me they sing regularly, and I encouraged them to honor the country sincerely,” Vales stated. “Without rehearsal, they did an excellent job.”

Deverick also delivered a strong performance on the court. She contributed four kills and an ace, leading to Sandburg’s 25-12, 25-21 victory over Bradley-Bourbonnais in the SouthWest Suburban Conference held in Orland Park. Bella Maras led the Eagles with nine kills and three blocks, while Mya Slowikowski and Ellery Dyra added six and five kills, respectively. Harper Yuska achieved four kills for Bradley, with Olivia Woolman contributing three.

During the second game, Sandburg’s 21-12 advantage dwindled to a mere 22-21 margin, before a Deverick kill restored their momentum. “It was satisfying to see our team’s strong showing amid the senior night emotions,” Deverick commented. “The match tightened, but we executed well.”

Standing 5-foot-10, Deverick joined varsity as a sophomore, initially playing on the right side. This season, she moved to outside hitter. “She’s crucial for our team,” Vales praised. “While Bella handles many swings, Aubrey fulfills her role as secondary outside hitter effectively by controlling the game and making crucial shots.”

Two years prior, Vales recognized Deverick’s talent, opting to keep her on the freshman team to develop her leadership skills. “Leadership is learned at your own level,” Vales noted. “Promoting a player too early can hinder their leadership growth as they are often led by others.”

Bella Maras, who is considering college sand volleyball but also attracting indoor team interest, praised Deverick’s influence. “She brings a positive energy to the team. It’s enjoyable being with her and the whole group daily,” Maras shared.

While losing isn’t enjoyable, the Eagles have had a challenging season. Although Vales anticipated a stronger record, he remains hopeful. “Some matches were missed opportunities,” Vales stated. “We face strong teams, learning resilience is crucial.”

Looking forward, Deverick expressed her team’s determination. “We need to push through this and improve,” she asserted.

Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.