Former Lemont Volleyball Players Making Impact In College

It’s an impressive feat, regardless of the sport, when an athlete is good enough to make the college ranks. It’s even better if they’re able to contribute and make an impact on the team. 

So it's not often you get four in the same graduating class, on the same team, making their mark in the realm of college sports. 

volleyball team did just that. Becca Brabec, Courtney Keefe, Melissa Bograd and Vicki Wrobel are all playing volleyball at the college level and all of them are starting for their respective teams. 

“It’s very gratifying,” Lemont coach Chris Zogata said. “I knew as freshmen that they were special and as soon as they were sophomores I started getting the word out, contacting colleges.” 

There was no question of chemistry between them as upperclassmen, especially when they played together as seniors. 

“They were very close. They played a lot together when they were younger in First Alliance and Chicago Juniors,” Zogata said. 

Unfortunately, they were ousted in the 3A IHSA sectional semifinals in 2010 by regional power Joliet Catholic. Nevertheless, they have taken their experience from high school and have made indelible impressions as freshmen for their respective college teams. 

Brabec joined Division III Clarkson University and is starting as an outside hitter. Clarkson has stormed to a 20-2 record and Brabec has been a major contributor. She is third on the team in kills and second on the team in digs. 

Bograd signed on with the Robert Morris Colonials, which has improved to an 8-10 record overall thanks to a 4-0 conference record. Bograd, a Libero (defensive specialist), leads the Colonials overall with 210 digs in 18 matches. She also leads the the team in digs per game, serve attempts and serve receives. 

Keefe, who started varsity as a freshman and was the team’s best player, is a starting outside hitter for the Bradley Braves. The Braves are, as of Monday, 7-8 overall and 1-5 in conference play. Keefe, in eight starts, is second overall with 115 digs and has 45 kills in 15 overall matches. 

Wrobel joined with the Loyola (Ill.) Ramblers and has started all 13 matches to date for the Ramblers, who are currently 3-10. She has more than 400 sets thus far for the Ramblers, which is far and away the best. She also leads the team in service aces with 19 and is fourth in digs. 

In an interesting twist, Wrobel is playing with an old teammate. Senior Libero Catherine Languido played with Wrobel when they were senior and freshman, respectively, at Lemont. Languido, for her part, is on pace to lead the team in digs. 

Their influence can still be felt on their old teammates back at Lemont, which is currently tied for first in conference play after a pair of hard-fought wins last week against Shepard and Oak Forest. 

“The level of intensity they brought on the court, not just into the matches, but also in practice, helped a great deal,” Zogata said. “It helped our juniors and seniors keep that intensity and focus at all times.”