Girls volleyball preview capsules

Fox Valley Conference

Valley Division

Cary-Grove

Coach: Patty Langanis, 16th season

Last year’s record: 36-4 overall, 10-0 FVC Valley (1st), IHSA Class 4A state champions

Top returners: Kelly Lamberti, sr., OH; Sam Mainzer, sr., L; Ashley Rosch, jr., MB; Colleen Smith, sr., S

Key newcomers: Allison Whimpey, sr., RS; Mallory Wilczynski, so., MB; Shelia Wilhelmi, jr., MB

What to expect: “This team is very focused and disciplined,” Langanis said. “They have put in a lot of hours in the gym and the weight room during the offseason. I expect that they will be very competitive in the conference and this season.”

Crystal Lake South

Coach: Jorie Fontana, third season

Last year’s record: 26-11 overall, 7-3 FVC Valley (2nd)

Top returners: Taylor Granell, sr., OH; Fallon Meyer, sr., DS; Hannah Burkle, sr., MB

Key newcomers: Maureen Johnson, sr., MB; Emily Oraham, jr., S; Katie Meyers, jr., DS

What to expect: “We will be a scrappy, yet tall team,” Fontana said. “I am going to be looking for some fresh faces that will be stepping into some newly appointed leadership roles.” Fontana said defense will be a top priority.

Dundee-Crown

Coach: Tracy Williams, 17th season

Last year’s record: 9-23 overall, 0-10 FVC Valley (6th)

Top returners: Rebecca Wika, sr., OH; Lauren Mosher, sr., OH/RS; Tanna Svec, sr., L; Alexis Holm, sr., OH; Brittany Schultz, sr., MB; Rebekah Hischke, jr., MB

Key newcomers: Alexa Shemanske, jr., OH; Tess Barnes, jr., S; Cassie Sommers, jr., L

What to expect: Defense should key the Chargers this season, Williams said, and D-C expects to improve as the season progresses. The Chargers are small but scrappy, and youth will power their roster.

Huntley

Coach: Michelle Jakubowski, fifth season

Last year’s record: 29-10 overall, 6-4 FVC Valley (3rd)

Top returners: Amy Dion, sr., L/S; Ashley Smith, jr., OH; Sam Boesch, jr., OH

Key newcomers: Eli Manning, jr., S; Hailey Vitacco, so., MB; Nichole Levra, so., S

What to expect: The Red Raiders have played in two consecutive sectional final games and feel that they can advance past the Sweet 16 round this season. “Through our competitive conference and non-conference schedule, our girls should be battle-tested to make another strong postseason run,” Jakubowski said.

Jacobs

Coach: Lisa Dwyer, sixth season

Last year’s record: 12-22 overall, 2-8 FVC Valley (5th)

Top returners: Taylor Lesner, sr., OH; Quinn Leuhring, sr., S; Alyssa Ehrhardt, so., OH; Nikki Madoch, jr., MH; Mattie Stearns, sr., DS; Becca Jobst, jr., DS

Key newcomers: Sarah Demkovich, sr., RS/MH; Clara Moravec, sr., RS/MH

What to expect: Dwyer’s teams are known for their defense, and this year will be no exception. That defense should complement an offense led by Lesner, Leuhring, Madoch and Ehrhardt. The return of those players should give the Eagles power at the net, Dwyer said.

McHenry

Coach: Jeff Brunstrum, fourth season

Last year’s record: 21-12 overall, 5-5 FVC Valley (4th)

Top returners: Ashley Conway, sr., MH; Sam Magnussen, jr., OH; Alyssa Johnson, jr., OH; Samantha Pawela, sr., MH

Key newcomers: Mary Kate Freund, so., S; Claire Adams, sr., DS; Annie Schmidt, so., DS

What to expect: The Warriors will be young, but Brunstrum is confident players can fill the roles vacated by Danielle Tonyan and Storm Melnick. “I think we will be a scrappy team that is tough to beat every night,” Brunstrum said.

Fox Valley Conference

Fox Division

Crystal Lake Central

Coach: Doug Blundy, 27th season

Last year’s record: 37-5 overall, 11-1 FVC Fox (tied for 1st with Prairie Ridge), finished fourth at the IHSA Class 3A state finals.

Top returners: Amelia Anderson, jr., MH; Tracy Friel, sr., S; Tara Weber, sr., OH; Courtney Kiolbasa, sr., OH; Corrie Gustan, sr., DS

What to expect: “Offensively we’ll be pretty good,” Blundy said, “but we have to serve-receive and play good defense in order to run that offense.” Anderson and Friel are the Tigers’ only returning All-FVC players, and Blundy doesn’t think anyone on this year’s roster feels pressured because of last season’s success.

Grayslake Central

Coach: Jason Janczak, fifth season

Last year’s record: 13-23 overall, 4-8 FVC Fox (5th)

Top returners: Klaudia Basierak, jr., OH; Emily Anderson, sr., S; Lucy Peterson, sr., MH
Key newcomers: Gabi Casper, fr., OH; Allie Black, sr., MH

What to expect: The Rams were young last season and had to rebuild after winning a regional title in 2008 with a roster full of seniors. “We’re pretty fired up because we have a great blend of experience and youth,” Janczak said.

Grayslake North

Coach: Nikki Kirchway, fifth season

Last year’s record: 8-28 overall, 2-10 FVC Fox (6th)

Top returners: Brianna Leon, sr., OH; Raquel Ness, sr., DS; Lauren Trahan, sr., S; Kaitlyn Woodward, sr., S; Kayla Huck, jr., DS; Katie McGrath, jr., MH; Joanna Guhl, so., RS

Key newcomers: Jenni Babula, jr., MH/RS; Melanie Aiken, so., MH/RS; Kelsey Klausner, so., OH; Felicia Stancil, so., OH/RS

What to expect: The Knights have more experience returning this season than ever before, and Kirchway believes all aspects of the players’ games have improved. “We have a ton of potential this season,” Kirchway said.

Johnsburg

Coach: Sue Feely, seventh season

Last year’s record: 21-16 overall, 8-4 FVC Fox (3rd)

Top returners: Kelsey Nobilio, sr., L; Carly Schmitt, sr., MH; Kara DiTusa, sr., OH/MH; Aubrey Wanta, sr., OH; Mary Kate Wright, sr., RS

What to expect: Feely is ready for this team to surprise not only her, but everyone else in the FVC Fox. Nobilio returns for her fourth season on varsity and should lead the defense. “They will do whatever it takes to win,” Feely said.

Prairie Ridge

Coach: Stefanie Otto, 14th season

Last year’s record: 28-9 overall, 11-1 FVC Fox (tied for 1st with Crystal Lake Central)

Top returners: Taylor Humm, sr., OH; Andreia Leja, sr., L; Taylor Onoyan, jr., MB; Sarah Stevens, jr., MB; Kelly Sullivan, sr., DS/OH

Key newcomers: Victoria Day, jr., OH; Allie Ladd, sr., S; Katie Hamilton, jr., OH; Mackenzie Humm, so., S/OH

What to expect: “I think this is a strong team with good ball control,” Otto said. “Once they get comfortable with all their roles, I think they will challenge any team they play against.”

Woodstock

Coach: Michelle Stilling, third season
Last year’s record: 16-19 overall, 6-6 FVC Fox (4th)

Top returners: Katie Ruben, sr., OH; Christie Jacobson, sr., S/RS; Kaitlyn Johnson, sr., OH; Becca Nattress, jr., L

Key newcomers: Megan Teresi, sr., DS; Lauren Flood, sr., MH; Margo Johnson, sr., MH; Jenny Dillon, jr., S; Brooke Marshall, jr., OH

What to expect: The Blue Streaks return three players with two years of varsity experience and have several players who will be changing roles and positions, Stilling said. “This team’s all-around drive should make them successful.”

Woodstock North

Coach: Greg Bruns, second season

Last year’s record: 4-29 overall, 0-12 FVC Fox (7th)

Top returners: Sarah Diamond, sr., DS; Morgan Niemeyer, sr., S; Lilli Klay, jr., MB; Christina Bravos, sr., MB

What to expect: The Thunder have a senior class this year for the first time, so leadership should be strong. Bruns expects “a more well-rounded team [that] will continue to be competitive with each team we play.” Niemeyer’s setting skills should let the Thunder run a “more diverse offense,” Bruns said, and that should lead to an improved record in Woodstock North’s second varsity season.

Big Northern Conference

East Division

Hampshire

Coach: Karen Whitehouse, fifth season

Last year’s record: 32-4 overall, 9-1 BNC East (tied for first with Burlington Central)

Top returners: Tia Incaprio, sr., L; Melanie Bonk, sr., MH; Alex Dumoulin, sr., MH; Elly Jakubowski, sr., OH; Alyssa Kissane, sr., RS; Leigh Anne Libby, sr., S; Kelly Meathe, jr., DS

Key newcomers: Michelle Dumoulin, jr., OH; Jenny Dumoulin, so., RS; Dana Seger, jr., MH; Jordan Foss, jr., DS

What to expect: Whitehouse said her team’s biggest strength is serve-receive. That should bode well in a conference that has sent a team to the state finals the past four years. “We’re not the tallest team,” Whitehouse said, “but if we can be consistent hitters and stay scrappy on defense, we should be very competitive.”

Harvard

Coach: Kelly Brierley, sixth season

Last year’s record: 27-14 overall, 5-5 BNC East (3rd), fourth place at IHSA Class 2A state finals

Top returners: Katarina Rotta, so., S; Megan Struck, sr., OH; Brittany Finke, sr., OH; Shannon Ditsch, sr., MB

Key newcomers: Mikhal Stricker, sr., DS; Rachel Thompson, sr., DS

What to expect: The Hornets return four starters. Brierley has guided the team to the state finals in the former Class A twice and in Class 2A last season. The Hornets have brought home two third-place trophies in addition to their fourth-place finish last year. They are a favorite to contend for the BNC East title.

Marengo

Coach: Amy Johnson, first season

Last year’s record: 7-23 overall, 1-9 BNC East (5th)

Top returners: Allison Rogutich, jr., MH; Sadie Fabio, jr., S; Morgan Bartlett, sr., L

What to expect: The Indians didn’t graduate any players. “I expect great things from this team,” Johnson said, “because we have been able to build off the chemistry that was developed last year.”

Richmond-Burton

Coach: Kaycee Kaywood, third season

Last year’s record: 18-16 overall, 4-6 BNC East (4th)

Top returners: Chloe Fiedler, sr., RS; Kim Russell, so., RS; Nikki Zaobidny, sr., MH

Key newcomers: Kara Russell, so., S; Alex Callanan, so., OH; Ali Frantti, fr., OH; Marissa Woodward, sr., L

What to expect: “This year our team is made up of very talented athletes that are young but come with years of club experience,” Kaywood said. “We should have a very quick offense with many strong hitters, especially on the outside and right side, [and] our defenders are very aggressive.”

Suburban Christian Conference

Marian Central

Coach: Laura Watling, second season

Last year’s record: 27-11 overall, 7-3 SCC Upper Division (2nd)

Top returners: Dena Ott, sr., L; Shelby Cassesse, sr., MB Kaitlyn Hartlieb, sr., RS; Abby Gilleland, jr., S; Emma Hussey, jr., OH

Key newcomers: Alyse Kolner, jr., OH; Meredith Patterson, so., MB; Tara Blake, so., OH; Caitlin Brocker, so., DS

What to expect: The Hurricanes return five starters from last season’s Class 3A sectional semifinal team and have plenty of depth coming off the bench. “Even though we are still rather young, we will be very competitive,” Watling said. “This team has some great chemistry and great leadership.”

Northeastern Athletic Conference

Alden-Hebron

Coach: Jodie Kanaly, second season

Last year’s record: 4-12 overall, 3-7 NAC

Top returners: Hayli Lagerhausen, sr., OH; Nora VanderPall, sr., MH; Sammi Helland, sr., DS; Lacy Beck, sr., OH; Baylee Anderson, sr., MH; Shannon Madsen, sr., OH

Key newcomers: Carissa Stauss, jr., S

What to expect: “They’re playing as more of a team this year, and they’ve all played together for a long time,” Kanaly said. “I think we have jelled together really well so far.”

– Maureen Lynch