Here's a sneak peak at the 2025 Morton College women's volleyball team...

2024 summary
Finished 14-18 overall and 4-3 in Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference. Put six players on rosters of four-year schools for second straight season. Eight-game win streak matched program's longest since 2018.

First take on 2025
"We're way more dynamic, powerful and refined than the teams of the past," said Panther coach Steve Dowjotas, who is starting year 5 at Morton College. "I think we have a ton of depth and a ton of different options on things we can run."

"We have a bunch of kids who are fearless when it comes to attacking the ball. We're tall and strong. Our ball control and back-row play will be significantly at a different level than in the past. I think there's a good chance we could give teams in the (NJCAA) top 25 a good run."

2025 season debut
Morton College returns to Rockford to participate in the Opening Weekend Tournament at the University of Wisconsin's Sports Factory. The Panthers play twice Friday and Saturday, August 22nd and 23rd, opening against Illinois Valley at 1 p.m. The OWT is the national's largest tournament for community colleges with over 70 teams participating.

Type of attack
The Panthers are deciding between running a 5-1 or 6-2 offense. Dowjotas is learning toward the 6-2 because "we have a ton of kids who can score. It's a good problem to have."

Leading the way
Dowjotas is looking to a pair of sophomore transfer students in Nina Jasiecka, a 6-0 outside hitter from Laramie County Community College, and Diana Stetsko, a 5-6 outside hitter via Labette Community College, to provide leadership at the start. Both were productive players at their respective programs.

Jasiecka produced 180 kills in just 22 matches last season with six contests of 10 or more kills, including a season-high 17 in a five-set loss to New Mexico Junior College. Stetsko registered 101 kills a year ago with a 20-kill performance vs. Fort Scott.

Marija Radovic, a 5-5 freshman setter, brings maturity after playing club ball in Serbia the past two years.

Hit parade
Dowjotas believes he has five capable options for hitters with Jasiecka and 6-0 freshman Journee Fulton on the right side and 5-10 freshman Sophia Swiderski, 5-7 freshman Ava Miller and Stetsko on the outside.

"I'm not sure who will play," Dowjotas admits.

Block bash
The Panthers have the option of playing a pair of 6-0 freshman in Neda Stojanovic or Beatriz Coca at middle blocker.

Getting set
The Panthers have the option of going with Radovic or Ryanne Janicek at setter. Abby Monahan, Valencia Carrera and Ella Rubino give Dowjotas plenty of flexibility at the defensive specialist/libero position.

"It's a toss up every day," Dowjotas says. "All three are really good."

About the schedule
The Panthers face five teams ranked in the NJCAA Division II preseason poll. Region 4 has the most teams – five – in the poll with No. 11 Sauk Valley, No. 18 McHenry, No. 23 Milwaukee Area Technical, No. 24 Rock Valley and No. 25 Carl Sandburg.

Key games
August 27th – Home opener vs. Moraine Valley. Last win – October 20, 2001.
September 19th and 20th – Kansas City Kansas Tournament – face NJCAA Division II preseason No. 1 (Cowley) and No. 4 (Kansas City Kansas) in back-to-back matchups.
October 4th and November 1st – Parkland. Traditional NJCAA power, averaging 50 wins per year since 2013.