Mundelein sophomore Casey Vyverman is starting to find her voice on the court.

After a highly successful freshman season, mainly as a shooting guard, Vyverman was asked to run the point for the Mustangs.

“Being a more vocal leader is not natural for me,” she said. “It’s definitely a work in progress, something I’m trying every day. A lot of my senior teammates encourage me to step up every day. I’ve definitely gotten better talking, but I’ve still got a lot of work to do.”

The 5-foot-10 Vyverman, who scored 10.4 points per game while shooting 43.2% from 3-point range last season, has certainly increased her production in her new role. She’s averaging 15.0 points, 3.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals for the Mustangs (9-4 overall, 3-3 North Suburban Conference), who are on track for their first winning season since 2013-14.

“Casey is not a true point guard, but she’s taken on the full role of being our primary point guard and often guarding the best player on the other team,” Mundelein coach Sarah Teipel said. “It’s been a big transition from her freshman year.”

Teipel said she wasn’t worried about putting too much pressure on Vyverman, who was also named a captain this season.

“I think she’s quiet in personality, so I’m proud of her to step out of her box,” Teipel said. “She has the dream of playing college basketball. She’s trying to develop that big-dog mentality, to be a key team leader. She has stepped out of her comfort zone this year.”

Senior forward Rylan Foster, who is also a captain, can relate. Like Vyverman, Foster was an immediate varsity starter as a freshman. Foster, who has scholarship offers from Kansas and Indiana in rowing but is waiting for her first basketball offer, has carried the Mustangs in her tenure.

“Being a point guard includes a ton of pressure,” Foster said. “Casey has definitely stepped up and taken on that role. But being a quieter person, it was hard for her in the beginning. She still struggles sometimes, but I think you can see her voice has started to peek out. Casey has definitely started to show her voice more.”

Lake County News-Sun

Twice-weekly

See also  Inside the Christmas Day wakeup call that saved the Chiefs’ season

News updates from Lake County delivered every Monday and Wednesday

Teipel said Foster’s presence has benefited Vyverman, who was also the starting shortstop for Mundelein’s softball team as a freshman.

“It has helped having a strong leader like Rylan who has led by example every day and inspired Casey to be a better leader,” Teipel said. “Rylan has taken Casey under her wing.”

Vyverman, who had 19 points, four steals, three rebounds and three assists in a win against Lakes on Dec. 2, said she feels more comfortable being aggressive with the ball this season.

“I knew I had to get stronger and faster,” she said. “That was my main focus. I feel like I can stick with a lot of quicker guards more now and feel more confident attacking. I don’t get the ball stripped and can finish through attack. I’m definitely driving more than last year.”

Vyverman said she hopes her improvement will lead to more wins for the Mustangs.

“I’m really excited and am really having fun,” she said. “I’m just trying to get better every day and be consistent. I knew my new role would be good for the team.”

Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter for the News-Sun.