Team preview: Elk Grove
By Ken Keenan
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, brand-new Elk Grove head coach Gabby Whittinghill will have to wait a while to see how her team performs on the field.
But if attitude is any indication of what the Grenadiers (7-12-2 overall and 4-6-1 in Mid-Suburban League play last season) will look like once the games begin, Whittinghill and Co. are off to a good start.
"In the time we have had, with new coaches coming in, it's an adjustment period," explained Whittinghill, a former Maine South star and DePaul University club player. "We're still at the beginning phase of it ... still putting the pieces together. So, it's hard to say, hard to gauge. We need practices to see how things come together."
Whittinghill, who previously served as a varsity assistant coach at Resurrection, followed by a seven-year stint as a freshman and JV head coach at Maine South, continued: "Obviously, staying healthy is most important. But we have a great squad. Team cohesion is a big strength and the ability to maintain a high morale. We're hopeful we can have the (2020) season."
Team captain Teodora Evtimova, a senior forward joining the Grenadiers after playing at the club level the last three years, is champing at the bit get the action started.
"We're waiting for the refs to blow the whistle ... can't wait for the games to start," Evtimova said. "We've been building chemistry, and we're excited for the season. When I was playing club, I always looked forward to my senior season, wanting to represent my town, Elk Grove Village, and my school."
Added Evtimova: "I've played sports all my life, so it's part of my character make-up. As a captain, I try to lead by example, not just on the field. I try to set a high standard and be a role model. I know I looked up to juniors and seniors when I was a younger student-athlete."
Senior midfielder Emily Sitkowski, who returns to the Grenadiers after missing her junior campaign, joins Evtimova as a team captain.
"Those two really stand out among the newcomers," Whittinghill said. "(Evtimova) leads by example. She has a lot of composure ... very determined. And she has a great shot. (Sitkowski) is super-helpful with communication within the team. She's very motivated -- a lot of drive and passion for the game. As a true holding midfielder, she controls the tempo, supports, and attacks when needed."
Another team leader is senior Katie Talens, a veteran midfielder who will miss her final Elk Grove campaign because of injury.
"She's still a big part of the program," Whittinghill said. "She's playing a manager role, being a leader off the field and helping keep morale up."
On the field, Whittinghill expects junior mids Alexa Joshi and Aliah Mendez, sophomore middie Hannah Gryzik and sophomore defender Liliana Duckman to be key contributors -- along with Evtimova and Sitkowski.
"Alexa (Joshi) looks really composed in the midfield, a strong asset in the middle," Whittinghill said. "Gryzik is creative with unparalleled technical ability. Mendez is a really crafty player ... very confident. Duckman brings intensity on defense and is a strong, organizing voice for our backline."
Added Whittinghill: "Overall, I think our movement of the ball and movement off the ball is good. And the versatility of the players is a strength. They can play multiple roles. We're working through the kinks of finding the right combos."
Evtimova said, "If we're going to win (in 2020), we'll need to utilize our pace. And as long as we use our hearts to defend and attack, effort and dedication can trump the physical side. Give 100 percent on both sides of the field. You have to be relentless every single play."
She also said, "That is the final building block -- doing the work, taking care of your body, chemistry with teammates. All that kind of stuff is key."
In the meantime, the Grenadiers will hunker down and prepare for a return to the pitch any way they can.
"There are no structured practices, but we have reminder apps to keep each other accountable and do things on their own," Whittinghill said. "Try to keep spirits high and hopeful, and just keep communicating."
Added Evtimova: "Right now, on our own, we can do cardio ... touches with the ball. And every day, we have group chats, motivating each other. We haven't given up on the season yet."
By Ken Keenan
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, brand-new Elk Grove head coach Gabby Whittinghill will have to wait a while to see how her team performs on the field.
But if attitude is any indication of what the Grenadiers (7-12-2 overall and 4-6-1 in Mid-Suburban League play last season) will look like once the games begin, Whittinghill and Co. are off to a good start.
"In the time we have had, with new coaches coming in, it's an adjustment period," explained Whittinghill, a former Maine South star and DePaul University club player. "We're still at the beginning phase of it ... still putting the pieces together. So, it's hard to say, hard to gauge. We need practices to see how things come together."
Whittinghill, who previously served as a varsity assistant coach at Resurrection, followed by a seven-year stint as a freshman and JV head coach at Maine South, continued: "Obviously, staying healthy is most important. But we have a great squad. Team cohesion is a big strength and the ability to maintain a high morale. We're hopeful we can have the (2020) season."
Team captain Teodora Evtimova, a senior forward joining the Grenadiers after playing at the club level the last three years, is champing at the bit get the action started.
"We're waiting for the refs to blow the whistle ... can't wait for the games to start," Evtimova said. "We've been building chemistry, and we're excited for the season. When I was playing club, I always looked forward to my senior season, wanting to represent my town, Elk Grove Village, and my school."
Added Evtimova: "I've played sports all my life, so it's part of my character make-up. As a captain, I try to lead by example, not just on the field. I try to set a high standard and be a role model. I know I looked up to juniors and seniors when I was a younger student-athlete."
Senior midfielder Emily Sitkowski, who returns to the Grenadiers after missing her junior campaign, joins Evtimova as a team captain.
"Those two really stand out among the newcomers," Whittinghill said. "(Evtimova) leads by example. She has a lot of composure ... very determined. And she has a great shot. (Sitkowski) is super-helpful with communication within the team. She's very motivated -- a lot of drive and passion for the game. As a true holding midfielder, she controls the tempo, supports, and attacks when needed."
Another team leader is senior Katie Talens, a veteran midfielder who will miss her final Elk Grove campaign because of injury.
"She's still a big part of the program," Whittinghill said. "She's playing a manager role, being a leader off the field and helping keep morale up."
On the field, Whittinghill expects junior mids Alexa Joshi and Aliah Mendez, sophomore middie Hannah Gryzik and sophomore defender Liliana Duckman to be key contributors -- along with Evtimova and Sitkowski.
"Alexa (Joshi) looks really composed in the midfield, a strong asset in the middle," Whittinghill said. "Gryzik is creative with unparalleled technical ability. Mendez is a really crafty player ... very confident. Duckman brings intensity on defense and is a strong, organizing voice for our backline."
Added Whittinghill: "Overall, I think our movement of the ball and movement off the ball is good. And the versatility of the players is a strength. They can play multiple roles. We're working through the kinks of finding the right combos."
Evtimova said, "If we're going to win (in 2020), we'll need to utilize our pace. And as long as we use our hearts to defend and attack, effort and dedication can trump the physical side. Give 100 percent on both sides of the field. You have to be relentless every single play."
She also said, "That is the final building block -- doing the work, taking care of your body, chemistry with teammates. All that kind of stuff is key."
In the meantime, the Grenadiers will hunker down and prepare for a return to the pitch any way they can.
"There are no structured practices, but we have reminder apps to keep each other accountable and do things on their own," Whittinghill said. "Try to keep spirits high and hopeful, and just keep communicating."
Added Evtimova: "Right now, on our own, we can do cardio ... touches with the ball. And every day, we have group chats, motivating each other. We haven't given up on the season yet."