Marian Catholic senior Megan Reynolds spent the entire season staring across the net at some of the best teams Illinois has to offer.

Marian played 14 teams that went on to win regional championships this season.

Five of those teams claimed sectional titles. Two -- Joliet Catholic (3A) and Lyons (4A) -- won the state championship.

Despite playing what was by far the toughest schedule in the area, Reynolds, the 2009 Times volleyball player of the year, still managed to lead local players in kills (235) and blocks (145).

"I kind of like playing the really hard teams," Reynolds said. "We walk into those games knowing that if we do win it will be a major upset.

"We're the underdogs. Even if we did end up losing, we could still be proud of ourselves if we hung in there."

The Spartans navigated their treacherous schedule to a 17-19 record, five wins better than last year's 12-24 mark.

"I think our season went pretty well," the Spartans' middle hitter said. "We could have done a little bit better, but overall we won more games than last year. I just think the goal has to be to improve every single year, so hopefully they'll make it further next year."

While Reynolds enjoyed a big kill, she said nothing compared to the rush of a giant block.

"I like shutting down the other team's big hitter, or really any hitter on their team," she said. "I know I don't like getting blocked at all, so I know they have to feel the same way."

One explanation for Reynolds' dominance this season is that she has finally found some stability on the club volleyball scene.

Reynolds, a Thornton resident, had jumped from club to club in the past, but finally settled down this year for a second season at Diamond Elite under the tutelage of Bishop Noll coach Emilio Torres.

"When I got to Diamond Elite I loved it, so I actually stayed there," Reynolds said. "It was the first time I stayed at a club."

Of course, Spartan volleyball fans probably don't realize how close they came to never seeing Reynolds take the court.

Reynolds played volleyball in middle school, but also played the clarinet and saxophone in the band. She fully expected to join the seven-time national champion Marian Catholic band.

"I just wanted to take a try with volleyball," Reynolds said. "It's just kind of all a shock. Walking into the tryouts at Marian freshman year, I would have never thought I'd make it this far."

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL | TIMES PLAYER OF THE YEAR

More inside

See past Times Players of the Year. PAGE B8

Take a look at the complete all-area team. PAGE B8

Times Players of the Year

2009 -- Megan Reynolds, Marian Catholic

2008 -- Corinne Hoekstra, Illiana Christian

2007 -- Seobia Rivers, Bloom Twp.

2006 -- LaShaunda Sandifer, T.F. North

2005 -- Angie Porche', T.F. South

2004 -- Becky Rudenga, Illiana Christian

2003 -- Brittany Stewart, Marian Catholic

2002 -- Liz Kane, Marian Catholic

2001 -- Therese Coughlin, Marian Catholic

2000 -- Shaynell Neal, Bloom Twp.

1999 -- Lisa Lutkus, Marian Catholic