Libertyville junior right-side hitter Elle Knight’s fast rise in volleyball still amazes her.

Knight’s 4-inch growth spurt after she started playing the sport in seventh grade may have opened coaches’ eyes but didn’t make her a better player overnight.

“Once coaches see a big kid walk into a gym, it’s a good thing,” she said. “I had height coming into high school, so it showed my potential.

“But it took me some time adjusting to my height, and jumping was harder for me. Through time, it got better, and everything clicked. I felt my game improve, and I was getting more opportunities in the gym and on the court.”

Meanwhile, Knight was experiencing difficulty reading and writing. She was diagnosed with dyslexia and dysgraphia last year.

“Reading was challenging, but I learned a lot of wa

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