Feigh A Star For JCA

College can be about expanding your horizons. Joliet Catholic Academy senior Kelly Feigh got a head start Saturday in the SportsTownChicago.com Illinois High School Volleyball All-Star Game.

As a member of Team Pink, the 5-foot-11 outside hitter and signee of Loyola University had 3 attack kills, 2 block kills, 7 digs and 5 perfect passes in a 25-21, 19-25, 25-23, 25-15 loss to Team White.

More importantly, Feigh found ways to spread her wings while enjoying a last chance to represent an Angels volleyball program that has produced three state titles and six Final Four finishes since 2003.

“It was fun,” said Feigh, a Plainfield native. “You see a lot of these girls and follow them when they’re playing in high school and club, but you don’t really get to know them — and they’re all pretty cool.

“I had a good time and it was a good day. I got to practice and compete with a whole new group of players, and it’s great because I know I’m going to see most of these girls playing college in D-1.”

Feigh followed in the footsteps of middle hitter Lainey Wyman (Mississippi State), who after leading JCA to three consecutive state championship matches starred in last year’s inaugural All-Star Game.

“I’m very proud of Kelly,” JCA coach Christine Scheibe said. “She was able to step out on the floor with the state’s best players and still stand out, shine and be the player she has been for us at JCA the past four years. She definitely proved she has the skills to go ahead and be a factor at the next level as well.”

Starting the second game at Moraine Valley Community College, Feigh made an immediate impact with 3 kills in 5 attempts. She contributed a block kill, an ace among 2 service points, 5 digs and 3 perfect passes as Team Pink picked up its lone win. Feigh had a block kill, 2 digs and 2 perfect passes in Game 4.

“I went out there and told myself, ‘It’s for a good charity, so have fun,’” Feigh said. “Usually, I’m a nervous wreck before I play, and surprisingly, I wasn’t. It definitely was fun and a great experience.”

“Kelly was the one against St. Francis (in the sectional championship match) getting kills late in the game,” Scheibe pointed out. “She’s a competitor who wants to win, and she won’t go down without a fight. She’s used to winning, she expects that out of herself and from her teammates, and it showed.”

The daughter of James and Denise, Feigh showed on-court smarts. And she’s an Illinois State Scholar.

“She’s not only an excellent volleyball player, she’s an excellent student and role model,” Scheibe said. “I couldn’t be more proud of the way she handles herself and how she represents her family and JCA.”

On letter-of-intent signing day, after the 25-23, 25-19 loss to St. Francis, Feigh called it “bittersweet.”

Not this time.

“It was kind of like redemption,” Feigh said. “This was nice, and it’s a good way to go out as JCA.”