Girls Volleyball: Iowa recruit Joslyn Boyer, Broncos have plenty to shout about

As a senior leader of the Montini Maniacs, the school's student section, Joslyn Boyer promotes and supports the sports programs – particularly football with elaborate pregame festivities.

“It’s happened before, but this is the first year it’s a real big thing,” Boyer said. “Every football game we’re on the track and getting everyone hyped up. It’s just a way of trying to get everyone involved and excited and show a lot of school spirit.”

With help from Boyer, there’s already plenty of enthusiasm about the girls volleyball season.

The Broncos are off to their best start ever with a 19-2 record. They won their first 16 matches, beating powerful Benet in August. On Sept. 11 Montini avenged a sectional final loss to Resurrection.

Boyer, a 5-foot-5 libero who will play at Iowa, is among several key returnees.

“This year, we play very, very well as a team. We’re all one so that’s definitely helped us,” Boyer said. “It’s so exciting. And the whole school has even gathered around us.”

Senior outside hitter Caitlyn Meeks will play at Georgia Southern and senior middle hitter Johanna Kingsfield will play lacrosse at Northwestern. There’s also senior Maddie Pickering, juniors Tess Noonan and Julia Marciniak, freshmen Paige Pickering and Madalyn Kasallis and junior Kylie Boyer and freshman Reeghan Boyer, Joslyn’s sisters.

The Broncos have played predominantly 4A opponents, also beating Glenbard West and Lyons Township. They lost to York and Marian Central Sept. 15 for sixth place at Mother McAuley’s Preview Tournament after previously beating both teams.

“We have four or five [offensive] weapons all of the time, which is awesome, and you put in our serve receive and everything, we’re having a good season so far,” Montini coach Steve Dowjotas said. “Our defense and serve receive, it’s ridiculous. Joslyn, the way she just controls things and comes out of nowhere and makes incredible digs, she’s crazy good in the back row.”

This season, Boyer has moved from setter to libero, the position she plays with her 1st Alliance club team. Boyer verbally committed to Iowa early last season after 1st Alliance coach Laura Baetzel made contact with a then-Iowa assistant who was her club coach.

“I loved it there,” Boyer said. “I loved the coaches. I loved the school. It was just an all-around perfect fit.”

Great defense abounds as Meeks, Maddie Pickering and Kylie Boyer also have played libero for their club teams. With Noonan now setting, Joslyn Boyer’s position switch takes further advantage of her experience and court presence.

“I try to be vocal all of the time. I think every libero has to be, the leader of the backcourt,” Boyer said.

This is the first season with three varsity Boyers. While Joslyn and Kylie are on the court together, Joslyn exits when Reeghan enters to serve. Joslyn returns for Reeghan to play back row.

“It’s just a super cool thing for our whole family,” Boyer said. “It’s so awesome. It’s something you don’t see very often – or at all.”

The Broncos finished fourth in 3A in 2014. They will have to continue playing well to survive a loaded Timothy Christian Sectional with St. Francis, Glenbard South and Timothy.

Boyer also hopes luck is on her side as a senior. A state track and field qualifier in triple jump and the 400-meter relay in 2017, Boyer just missed qualifying at sectionals in May with the relay. A back injury kept her from triple jump. Boyer also missed last season’s sectional volleyball matches with a broken and dislocated left toe.

Rushing to attend a National Honor Society induction, Boyer was looking back and then ran into a wall by her bathroom.

“My first reaction I thought it was a stubbed toe, but I looked down and it was turned to the side. The worst possible time ever. I would have done anything to be able to play in that [Resurrection] match,” Boyer said. “This year [our postseason] will be difficult. But I think in season these games will prepare us very well for the playoffs.”