Something changes for West Aurora when senior middle hitter Janiyah Ricks gets on a roll.

Not only does incorporating Ricks keep the opposing team honest while Natalie Mitchell and Sydney Wagner are hitting on the outside, there’s an intangible effect she has on the team as well.

“When she gets a big kill or a big block, you can just see all the girls huddle around her,” West coach Alyssa Farney said. “It completely changes the pace and morale on the court, for sure.

“It’s so fun to watch her play. It puts a smile on everybody’s face.”

Ricks kept her teammates smiling Tuesday night, coming up with two big kills and block late in the third game to help the host Blackhawks pull away for a 22-25, 25-23, 25-14 victory over Batavia in a Class 4A West Aurora Regional semifinal.

Rick

See Full Page