Sauk Valley volleyball defeats Triton while coach Jay Howell recovers from heart attack
Assistant Abby Cox led the Skyhawks to a three-set victory in the NJCAA D2 quarterfinals as head coach recovered in a hospital.
By Leila Mansour ·
Sauk Valley Community College volleyball coach Jay Howell suffered a heart attack the evening before his team played Triton College. The injury forced assistant coach Abby Cox to lead the Skyhawks in their postseason opener on Wednesday night. Howell is currently recovering in a hospital in the Cook County area.
Cox, who is Howell’s daughter, stated that her father is stable. She explained that he was at home with chest pains after practice. Her sister took him to the hospital, where doctors found a blockage and inserted a stent. Howell moved from the intensive care unit to a regular room recently.
The Skyhawks won the quarterfinal match 25-17, 25-13, and 25-16. This victory secures the third-seeded team, which holds a 21-15 record, a spot in the semifinals. Cox noted that the team had to scramble to organize their game plan without their head coach.
Sophomore Kailee Williams said the team learned of Howell’s health issue on Wednesday morning. She described the news as scary but motivating. The players wanted to win the match to advance to Madison. Tichler, a teammate, added that the group decided to play for their coach.
Sawyer Secrist recorded nine kills in the win. Williams and Tichler each had eight kills. Joselyn Petersen had six kills. Madison Shaffer contributed 10 digs. The team finished its home and Arrowhead Conference schedule undefeated during the last two seasons.
The Skyhawks will face second-seeded Morton College on Saturday at 6 p.m. The game will be held at Madison College in Wisconsin. Madison College and Oakton will play the other semifinal at 4 p.m. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
The regional winner will qualify for the 2026 NJCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball Tournament. That event takes place in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from November 18 to 21. Cox said the team is prepared for the next round. Williams noted that Cox provides the same immediate feedback their head coach usually gives.
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