Villa Grove’s Kyleigh Block only knows one way to handle uncertainty.
“You have to make the best of what we have,” she said.
This is what her mom told her when she realized that her senior year of volleyball would be postponed to the early spring months of 2021.
“When we found out that golf and cross-country were both still going to be played, I thought that I might as well make the best of it and play golf — so did the other six girl (VG/H) golfers that all play volleyball,” Block said. “I am so glad I did play golf because it’s something that I would have never done. Now I’m at the course almost everyday to practice, play with friends or family.”
Block has led the Villa Grove/Heritage girls’ golf team during the 2020 season, shooting a season-best 54 at Ironwood in Tuscola last week.
“Although the game can be the most frustrating thing in the world, I am so happy I did it,” she said. “I have made life-long friendships and really enjoyed the experience.”
Engaging in as many opportunities as she can has always been the norm for Block.
“I have played numerous sports throughout my life and it has been the best decision I have ever made,” she said. “By playing these sports I have learned to use my unique work ethic on other matters, such as school.
“I have also learned how to respond to things that don’t go my way, like when you can’t hit a shot in a game, so you have to find another way to contribute. All these lessons I have learned have carried over into my everyday life.”
That attitude was put to the test her sophomore year when she rolled her ankle during a volleyball game, tearing ligaments and tendons in her foot. Block was told that she’d have to sit out the rest of the season, and even miss a few games during the basketball season.
“After much PT and working on my own, I got to play by the start of basketball games,” she said.
It’s one thing for an athlete to learn that they might miss a few games as a sophomore and another thing to feel the weight of uncertainty over an entire season your senior year, especially when it surrounds the sport you love most: basketball.
Block’s love for basketball comes with memories of watching the Fighting Illini play with her dad.
“That’s something that really sparked my interest as I really looked up to the collegiate athletes,” she said. “I love basketball, not only for the competitive drive it has built in me, but the entire experience and relationships built through it have been such a learning process for me.”
From the moment Block picked up a basketball at 9 or 10 years old to the moment that she told them she wanted to become a collegiate athlete, Block’s parents have been right beside her.
“My dad and I have spent countless hours in the gym working on my game,” she said. “And my mom will wake up at 5 a.m. to let me in the gym so that I can get some practice in.
“Both of them have definitely been my biggest fans and influencers and have pushed me when I didn’t feel like I had it in me. They have spent hours upon hours driving me around the country to play, practice, and learn the game of basketball and I can’t thank them enough for it.”
In not knowing what moment will be her last as a Blue Devil on the court in 2020-21, Block’s focus will continue to be to set a good example for her teammates as they continue to work towards their vision for the last four years: a regional championship.
During this summer’s first open gym, 18 athletes showed up, even though they were required to wear a mask the entire time.
“Everyone wants to be a part of this program and Coach (Dan) Sappenfield has done a great job of building it,” she said.
It’s not just players who are excited about where the Blue Devils are headed. At the Okaw Valley Conference Championship game against Tri-County in 2020, the stands were packed with Villa Grove/Heritage fans.
“I have never seen anything like it, the entire stands were packed full and you couldn’t even hear yourself think because it was so loud,” Block said. “I will never forget that feeling of support from the VG community.”
With the graduation loss of Heritage’s Aliya Holloman, the Blue Devils’ inside out trio of Block, Holloman and Samantha Campbell will look different in the upcoming season.
“This year our team is going to be a little younger, but I know that each and every one of us will work hard no matter what,” Block said. “We have a full team of girls that want to work.
“I want to contribute 100 percent effort all the time. I think that if I bring that energy all the time, then the rest of the team will follow. I know our team plays great when we’re all in and everyone’s playing hard.”
At this moment, though, Block doesn’t want to look too far ahead. After witnessing an abrupt end to the 2020 softball season, she knows that each moment has a purpose and challenge.
“I am not taking anything for granted and the ultimate goal this year is to win a regional championship, but to do that, we don’t look ahead, but instead focus on each and every game,” she said.
Like all seniors, though, Block is looking at colleges where she plans to study Kinesiology and Exercise Science. Playing basketball will also be a possibility. The 5-foot-6 point guard, who averages 10.3 points and 4.2 assists per game, is reviewing offers from different colleges.
