Metea Valley’s Caroline Candela often makes her presence felt on the court, if not always seen. At 5-foot-2, this junior libero stands out with her voice and energy, especially among her taller teammates. ‘I like to rule the court, be loud, aggressive, and go for anything I can,’ Candela shared. She shares her position with senior Sienna Bialek and has proven vital on defense for the Mustangs, who hold a record of 11-14.
She’s remarkable,
remarked Metea Valley coach Dave Macdonald. Some players play with little regard for their bodies, and she embodies that with her defense. She’s everywhere, going for every ball. Her teammates trust her implicitly.
Junior outside hitter Ishana Harish agrees. Her energy uplifts everyone on the court. She’s always the loudest, bringing us back up no matter the score,
Harish said.
During a recent 25-11, 27-25 match loss at Downers Grove North, Candela’s leadership shone between sets, urging her team to up their game in the second set. We needed to be much louder,
Candela said. I told the team to come in aggressive, not be down about losing the first set.
Her message resonated, leading to improved team play and a 7-3 lead, with Candela contributing nine digs, three service points, and an ace.
Despite the loss, the Mustangs showed promise, particularly against a 14-5 Downers Grove North team. Their season has been riddled with inconsistency, as seen in their five-game losing streak. We’ve been in a rut where we can’t finish games,
Candela admitted. But I won’t stop trying.
Coach Macdonald commended Candela’s commitment. Everyone likes to hit and serve, but defense requires grit. Caroline relishes it,
he said, noting her perseverance despite injuries. Candela expressed her love for her role. I thrive on defense and serve receive, especially against big-hitting teams,
she said. Her sports journey began with gymnastics and basketball, but volleyball captured her passion in seventh grade.
Looking ahead, Candela aims to keep improving and playing the sport she loves. She has that needed consistency, especially deep into the season,
Macdonald said, hopeful for Candela’s future.
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.
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