Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Jessalyn Chvilicek, Northern volleyball

The Montana State University-Northern volleyball team has found its rhythm over the past two matches. The Skylights defeated the University of Providence in four sets at home last week before defeating Montana Western in three sets on the road this past weekend. One of the key players for the Skylights during this run is Jessalyn Chvilicek, who believes the Skylights have found their team chemistry recently.

"We've been playing really well together," Chvilicek said. "It works good when you're actually having fun when you play so when we all click together, that's when we're really good."

The past two wins have improved the Skylights' record to 10-6 on the year and 2-1 in the Frontier Conference. Chvilicek has been a key player for the Skylights as an outside hitter. So far this season, she has 68 total kills for 2.83 kills a set. In regards to her individual success, he credits her team for making her the player she is now.

"My teammates. They helped push me to be a better player and a better person," Chvilicek said. "I can't do it without them."

Chvilicek has been in the program for about three years but she is getting more time on the court as a sophomore. The Skylights lost several seniors from last year's squad, so Chvilicek knew she had to improve to offset those losses.

"I feel like I have a lot more responsibility this year so I've had to step up," Chvilicek said. "So just working on my arm swing, working on blocking and working on talking with everyone."

Chvilicek's road to the Skylights began in seventh grade when she first began playing volleyball. She knew by eighth grade that volleyball was the sport for her and that continued into high school.

During her career at Havre High School, Chvilicek earned postseason honors three times. In her senior year with the Blue Ponies, she earned first-team all-conference honors and she helped the team reach the state tournament for the only time in her high school career. Since she grew up playing volleyball in Havre, getting to stay on the Hi-Line to play volleyball at the next level was special for her.

"I love it. There's no better feeling," Chvilicek said. "I love Havre, the community. I feel like they know me and they're here to support me so I feel very loved."

At Northern, Chvilicek is studying business administration. Outside of school and volleyball, Chvilicek likes to keep herself busy as she likes to go out with her friends or spend time at the lake.

Chvilicek and the Skylights will look to keep up their winning streak with a pair of matches at home at Armory Gymnasium this weekend. The Skylights will play Carroll College this Friday night at 7 p.m. before playing Montana Tech Saturday at 6 p.m. Before Chvilicek gets back on the court, the Havre Daily News got to ask her five questions.

HDN: What do you look forward to about these matches this weekend?

Chvilicek: "I'm excited for the fans to be here. Hopefully everyone shows up. I (look forward) to the excitement, the adrenaline, all that good stuff."

HDN: What feels different about this season compared to last year?

Chvilicek: "I feel like our team has a better bond and we just all have fun out on the court when we're together. On and off the court, we have fun."

HDN: What do you love the most about volleyball?

Chvilicek: "I love my team and I love the celebration aspect. When you get a good kill or you get a good block and you're celebrating with your team, nothing beats it."

HDN: What's the hardest part about volleyball?

Chvilicek: "When you're down and you're trying to come back facing adversity. That's the struggle that a lot of teams have."

HDN: What do you and your team hope to accomplish the rest of this season?

Chvilicek: "To have a winning streak and make it farther into the conference tournament than we have in the past couple of years."