by: Kerry Lippold Jr.
Over the past 10 years, the Parkland Women’s Volleyball team has developed a winning streak that could be considered one of the best runs in Cobra sports. Led by Head Coach Cliff Hastings and a very talented coaching staff, this program has earned the right to not only be respected as a successful team in their division but also to expect success from the team.
“The girls always comment how different our program is from places their friends go because, from day one, our goal is the same – to win nationals. Everything we do starting Aug. 1 has that in mind,” Hastings told the Prospectus.
This can easily be declared a reasonable expectation by a quick glance at the overwhelming achievements of Parkland Women’s Volleyball. Their record of 503 wins and only 45 losses from 2010 until 2019 is big achievement. In their conference which includes eight other Illinois community colleges, Parkland has a record of 54 wins and zero losses. They have competed in 10 straight Mid-West Athletic Conference championships.
As far as competing within the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), the Cobras have earned two national championships, four runner-up finishes, eight final four appearances, and were the only D2 team to qualify for all 10 national tournaments.
In their 2015 national championship run, the team also became the first NJCAA D2 team to have an undefeated season with a record of 57 wins and zero losses. Parkland was rewarded with 24 All-American player nominations and 16 All-Tournament honoree player nominations during the decade, as well.
The American Volleyball Coaches Association also awards individuals with the prestigious awards for All-American, Two-Year College Player of the Year, and Two-Year College Coach of the Year all of which the Cobras have received awards.
Some of these award winners have used their experiences at Parkland to transition to volleyball at the next level. Over the past 10 years, these student-athletes include 12 attending NCAA D1 institutions, 12 attending NCAA D2 institutions, two attending NCAA D3 institutions, and 15 attending NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes) institutions. This comes to 41 players pursuing an academic and athletic career after Parkland.
As competitive as this team is, there are more rewarding and enriching experiences than purely winning that the players and coaching staff work for. Coach Hastings believes this and attributes Parkland’s success to “… the balance of high-level talent and work ethic with the desire to always have fun. Many coaches and teams forget the fun. It is absolutely essential over a long college season to smile, laugh, and make fun memories along the way.”
“My favorite part about playing for the team is the friendships I built and the memories that I made. We had enough good times on this team to last me a lifetime.” – Madison Yocks
Hastings also explained that his favorite part about coaching is watching the student athletes grow into to confident young women who form connections with their teammates instead of being bound by cliques and insecurities. He believes this is a very important aspect to life and said that it is incredible to watch as a coach.
The Prospectus also caught up with Parkland Women’s Volleyball player, Madison Yocks, about the program. “My favorite part about playing for the team is the friendships I built and the memories that I made. We had enough good times on this team to last me a lifetime.”
When asked about her favorite experience, Yocks was very thankful for one experience, specifically. Yocks said that “… going to Las Vegas and really seeing what this team was capable of accomplishing so early. That was the best week of my life with my favorite people ever.”
The Prospectus would like to congratulate this program on their success and wish luck to those players moving to the next level. As for the new and returning players and coaches, we hope the next decade is as successful as the last.
