JWCC Prairie State Profile: Suns’ Ramsey ready to make another volleyball season shine bright

AUGUSTA, Ill. — An opportunity to watch an NCAA Division I women’s volleyball program play an exhibition match presented itself to the Southeastern volleyball players and heightened the Suns’ anticipation for their own season opener.

“It was like I had an adrenalin rush,” said Summer Ramsey, a 5-foot-6 outside hitter. “I don’t even know why. It was just really fun and it made me want to be out there playing.”

Last Saturday’s match between Western Illinois University and Division II Quincy University at Western Hall allowed the Suns to soak in the atmosphere and the techniques the Leathernecks and Hawks both displayed.

“Abigail (Shaffer) and I were sitting by each other and we were picking out different things we could take away from the game,” Ramsey said.

Every nugget allows the Suns to find an additional edge.

Coming off an historic 2021 season — Southeastern reached the Class 1A state championship match, finishing as the runner-up following a three-set loss to Champaign St. Thomas More — the Suns have to replace two starters, but return a lineup ripe with experience and talent.

Better yet, it’s a group inspired by the desire to replicate last year’s success.

“It has definitely motivated our team because, of course, we want to have the same success this year because it was a lot of fun and very rewarding,” said Ramsey, who was second on the team with 262 digs. “But I feel like it has added a lot of pressure to the season because it’s almost like we’re expected to win.

“But I also feel like good players play well under pressure. So I think we should be able to do pretty well.”

Ramsey discussed the Suns’ volleyball success, growing up in Hancock County and a future that she expects to include a career in nursing with Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman for this week’s Prairie State Profile, brought to you by John Wood Community College:

Q: What made last year’s success fun?

A: Honestly, we had such an amazing team and we were all really close. Everywhere we went, we made the best of every single game and every single opportunity that we had. We always found different ways to have a lot of fun together.

Q: So what’s the most unique or fun thing this group has done together?

A: The last tournament we went to this summer, Coach Kerr took us to this restaurant and it was this really fancy restaurant. He did not tell us we were going to a really fancy restaurant. So we walked in there and it was a whole bunch of older couples who looked like they were there for a special occasion like an anniversary or something like that. They were in suits and ties and dresses. Here we come walking in with our volleyball attire. It was really funny. But it was also really fun to eat there.

Q: So no heads up on the type of restaurant he was taking you to?

A: Nope. He told us it was a surprise. It was.

Q: What do you enjoy about volleyball?

A: I love a lot of things about volleyball. I love that you always can turn a game around. No matter how far down you are, you can pick back up the energy and come back and win. There’s so much anticipation and you always have to be ready. I love the feeling of winning, of course, but I also love the feeling after every point when the team all comes together and celebrates. I like how you have to have so much communication. I love the fact it’s a team sport, and I love being around all my friends.

Q: You’re never out of a game, right?

A: That’s so true. It happened in our super-sectional last year. I still don’t know how we came back, but somehow we did. (The Suns beat Newark 25-20, 21-25, 28-26 to advance to the final four.) It’s just an amazing experience.

Q: What else do you do besides volleyball?

A: I’m in a lot of extracurricular activities — FFA, 4-H, National Honor Society and FBLA. I also play golf, but I can’t play it now because I’m playing volleyball. I’m in student government and the Hancock County CEO program.

Q: So what you’re telling me is you’re always busy?

A: There’s always something for me to be doing.

Q: Do you have any plans for down the road?

A: Yes, I plan to be a nurse. Originally, for the longest time, I wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse. But I really just want to do something within nursing with kids, like be a pediatric nurse or something like that. I have a lot of siblings and I love being around kids. So, yeah, that’s what I want to do. I’m not sure where I want to go to college yet. I would love to play volleyball in college, but I don’t quite have the height.

Q: You mentioned you have many siblings. How many?

A: There are eight of us total.

Q: How much do you enjoy being a part of a big family?

A: I like it because I feel it has shaped my personality. And you always have a lot of love.

Q: You mentioned being part of FFA and 4-H. How much has growing up in a rural area impacted you?

A: We had electronics and stuff like that, but there was always something you could be doing outside. I feel like growing up in the country was so nice because you’re not surrounded by people constantly and you have time to be outdoors and kind of do whatever you want. It’s a great way to spend a day. My siblings and friends and I would just go on adventures when we were little. It was so much fun.