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Libertyville senior outside hitter Claire Evans isn’t afraid of the big stage or the bright lights.

When she was younger, Evans performed in “The Nutcracker” for three years.

“Playing on the championship court on an elite team last club season, where we came in first place in our division at nationals, gave me the same feeling that I had when dancing on stage during ‘The Nutcracker,’” she said.

Evans trained in ballet for 10 years but quit in eighth grade to focus on volleyball.

“Ballet gave me a great foundation for balance and strength and movement, and that carried over to volleyball,” she said. “I think it helped a ton with coordination, especially in the back row, where I move around with my feet and try to stay quick.

“Volleyball is

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