Volleyball can be a challenging sport to photograph. The plays are quick. Tracking action through the net can cause problems for the camera’s autofocus system. And sometimes all the action looks the same.
I was lucky this year. The main volleyball teams I covered had really emotive players. While I got decent action, the reaction really made this season.
Here are some of the photos that really stood out this year.
Boylan volleyball players celebrate on the court after defeating Hononegah in two straight sets Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, after a match at Boylan High School in Rockford. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016
Hononegah’s Gabby Bauch (1) celebrates after winning a point Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, during a volleyball match at Boylan High School in Rockford. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016
Belvidere North’s Peyton Sewell (23) celebrates with her teammates on the court after defeating Boylan in two straight sets Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016, at Belvidere North High School. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016
Fans celebrate on the court with the Hononegah volleyball team Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, after they defeated Boylan in three sets at Hononegah High School in Rockton. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016
Hononegah’s Arianna Contreras (8), Gabby Bauch (1) and Hannah Popa (13) celebrate after a point Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, during a match against Boylan at Hononegah High School in Rockton. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016
Dakota players celebrate on the court Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, after defeating Oregon in two straight sets for the Class 2A volleyball regional championship at Dakota High School. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016
Dakota players hug their coach, Annie Nelson, on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, after defeating Oregon in two straight sets for the Class 2A volleyball regional championship at Dakota High School. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016
And of course, a few action photos from the season.
Belvidere North’s Ysabelle Gavina (33) goes up at the net against Boylan’s Emma McLaughlin (5) on Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, during a match at Boylan High School in Rockford. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016
Oregon’s Aleah Wight (03) dives for the ball Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, during the Class 2A volleyball regional championship at Dakota High School. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016
Guilford’s Celene Morris (6) and Alayna Gorham (8) try to block a spike from Belvidere North’s Bailey Neiber (15) on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016, during a match at Belvidere North High School. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016
Boylan’s Ava Vitale reaches for the ball Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, during a match at Hononegah High School in Rockton. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016
Hononegah’s Arianna Contreras (8) dives for the ball Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, during a volleyball match at Boylan High School in Rockford. MAX GERSH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER/RRSTAR.COM ©2016