Cougars calm, collected

Hope Linker still remembers the fluttering of butterflies in her stomach. Katelyn Hasken recalls the awe she felt in the locker room before the match.

A year ago, a young Eastland Cougars volleyball team was experiencing the supersectionals for the first time. That experience may help when the 2009 Cougars take the court Saturday night in South Beloit, where they’ll play Newark for a trip to the 1A state tournament.

“The experience will be a big help,” Linker said. “There will still be those butterflies, but I don’t think they’ll be fluttering around as much. I think we’ll settle in quicker, focus better and be ready to play our best from point No. 1.”

“I think we are more comfortable, more confident than last year at this time,” Hasken added. “We’re still shocked and excited and all that, but I think the whole team is more relaxed.”

Calm and relaxed aren’t normally words associated with postseason play. But after winning the 1A state title last season, this year’s Eastland squad has seen it all.

The Cougars haven’t spent a lot of time dwelling on the past. Even with the prodding of another trip to the supersectional, don’t expect any emotional trips down memory lane before Saturday night.

“It is a little different feeling this year; we definitely know what it takes to succeed at this level,” senior Karissa Pierce said. “But this is a new year, a new team with new goals, and we’re trying to forget about last year.”

The next step is a Newark team that has gotten hot at the perfect time. The Norsemen (25-12) have won 19 of their last 24 matches, led by junior hitter Katie Larson (21 kills in two sectional wins).

The Cougars’ calm demeanor might be their biggest advantage. Eastland’s fast-paced style is predicated on ball-control – something that suffers when players are nervous and tight.

“I think if we play hard and play our game, we’ll be OK,” junior Courtney Blair said. “We know our mission, and we all accept how well we have to play and what we each have to do to accomplish it.”