High school connection proves significant for Carl Sandburg in 2018
Carl Sandburg College freshman volleyball player Peyton Bowman (Sciota, Ill./West Prairie) has been named the Region IV Division II District A Player of the Year, highlighting three Chargers — all products of West Prairie High School — who are on the All-Region IV Team.
Bowman also will be nominated for All-America consideration after being one of the top three vote-getters in the all-region balloting. She's the second Charger to be the region's top vote-getter, joining Sara Baker — now an assistant with Sandburg — in 2011. Bowman was joined on this year's All-Region IV Team by fellow former Cyclones Hannah Thompson (Blandinsville, Ill./West Prairie) and Cora Vyhnanek (Colchester, Ill./West Prairie).
A 6-foot-3 middle hitter, Bowman has been one of the most dominant players in the nation during her freshman season. Her .490 hitting percentage ranks second in NJCAA Division II, and her 74 solo blocks are 12th in the country. Bowman's 378 kills are good for 35th nationally, and her 467.5 total points ranks 30th. Bowman appeared in all 40 matches for the Chargers during the regular season. She recorded at least four blocks nine times and had at least three blocks on 17 occasions. She posted a season-high eight blocks in the Chargers' sweep of McHenry County on Sept. 15. Bowman has 19 matches with double-digit kills, including a season-best 18 in a victory Sept. 18 at Sauk Valley.
Thompson, a 5-10 sophomore outside hitter, earned All-Region IV honors for the second straight season for her strong all-around skills. She leads the Chargers this season in kills (382), kills per set (2.81) and aces (62) and is tied with Bowman for the team lead in total points. Thompson also ranks second among Chargers in digs (331) and third in blocks (32). She is 21st in the NJCAA in aces and 33rd in kills. Like Bowman, Thompson played in every match for Sandburg during the regular season. She's recorded double-digit kills 19 times, with a season-high 16 kills on three occasions. She has had eight matches with double-digit kills and digs. Thompson served a season-best six aces in Sandburg's win Aug. 26 against Olive-Harvey.
Vyhnanek, a 5-9 freshman, has been one of the top setters in the NJCAA despite missing nine matches in the middle of the season because of gall bladder surgery. Her 1,079 assists are 17th in the country, and she ranks eighth nationally with 10.38 assists per set. Vyhnanek also ranks fourth among Chargers with 237 digs. Vyhnanek recorded at least 22 assists in each of her 31 matches during the regular season. She has posted at least 30 assists 21 times, 40 or more assists eight times and has two matches of more than 50 assists. She handed out a season-high 53 assists in the Chargers' win Sept. 14 over Moraine Valley. Vyhnanek also has nine matches with at least 10 digs, posting a season-high 19 on two occasions.
(Story and photos submitted by Carl Sandburg College Athletics)