Cicero Prep Volleyball Sets New State Record

“[It is] a reflection not only of her talent but also of her versatility, consistency, and commitment to her teammates and the program,” shared Brooks Dockter, the head volleyball coach at Cicero Prep, adding that Damian has been a four-year starter for the Cicero Prep Centurions.

A kill in volleyball is an offensive attack that is unreturnable by the receiving team and directly results in an immediate point. “It is when you put the ball down on the other side of the court,” explained Damian. “It could be a set, a dump, a swing, or a hit. It means a lot to me that people trust me to put the ball away. Going into college and playing at the next level, it’s definitely something I like to come in with and have that stat.”

“It’s a really exciting time for her and for our program,”said Coach Dockter. “We play her in both the front row as a hitter and in the back row as our setter. She’s the ultimate teammate and the ultimate player. She competes really hard and puts in a lot of time outside the season, between club volleyball and individual workouts. She also has a great group of teammates around her who have helped her be successful and are an important part of that success.”

Sophomore Grace Combs is one of those teammates who has been greatly impacted by her friendship with Damian, both on and off the court. “Coming onto a team with such great hitters, especially having a powerhouse player like Nicole, has been an amazing experience. She’s an incredible leader. I was the only freshman on the team last year, and she immediately adopted me and made me feel so loved.”

Damian appreciates what this accomplishment, that has been a personal goal four years in the making, means for her, her teammates, her academy, and her state division. “I remember freshman year, when I was put on varsity, thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, I really want to hit 1,000 kills.’ A lot of people I’ve grown up watching have reached 1,000 kills in high school, and I wanted to do that, too.”

Damian shared gratitude for everyone who stood with her through high school. “My parents, my coach, Coach Kristen Frey, who coached me for the past three years, and Coach Brooks. They’ve all been great people,” she said. “My parents especially instilled so much confidence in me and helped me bounce back after injuries and things like that. My teammates have also been so supportive, trusting me to put the ball away and trusting that I can do my job on the court.”

The Cicero Prep Centurions finished their season with a fourth consecutive 1A State Championship, making school history. Damian and her fellow four-year teammates, Kate Harrigan, Claire Hodgson, and Layla Hrabe, have been part of all four championship-winning teams, earning a state title in each of their four years of high school volleyball. Their remarkable achievement marks a new school record and an unforgettable finish to their high school careers.

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