Cupboard isn’t bare for state champ C-G

Cary-Grove's Ashley Rosch goes for the ball during the IHSA Class 4A semifinals Nov. 13 at Redbird Arena in Normal. Rosch returns for the Trojans this season. (Lauren M. Anderson – landerson@nwherald.com)

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One of the state’s strongest volleyball hotbeds is on the cusp of a season that should be equally as successful as 2009.

Here are a few story lines to watch as the season unfolds:

Cary-Grove still will be dominant: The Trojans lost some talent from last year’s IHSA Class 4A state championship team, including starting setter Abbey Heredia, outside hitter Kayla Klinger and middle blocker Colleen Hargrove.

Transitioning, however, shouldn’t be terribly difficult. Senior Colleen Smith played right side last season but is actually a setter and headed for Indiana on a volleyball scholarship. Smith will take over running an offense that includes the 2009 Northwest Herald Girls Volleyball Player of the Year, outside hitter Kelly Lamberti, and junior middle blocker Ashley Rosch. Lamberti committed to Ohio University last spring.

Senior Sam Mainzer returns at libero to anchor the Trojans’ defense, and with the return of so many key players, there is reason to expect C-G to make a significant run in the postseason again.

The FVC Valley title will be tough to win: Their strength alone doesn’t guarantee the Trojans an easy road in the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division. Huntley, which bowed out to C-G in a Class 4A sectional final last year, returns most of its roster, including hitters Samantha Boesch and Ashley Smith and scrappy libero Amy Dion, who likely will set for the Red Raiders this year.

Crystal Lake South returns standout middle Hannah Burkle and libero Fallon Meyer from a roster that finished second in the Valley last season. McHenry will be young but scrappy, coach Jeff Brunstrum said, and Jacobs’ defense always makes the Golden Eagles tough to beat.

Dundee-Crown, like McHenry, will be young, but coach Tracy Williams has been impressed with the Chargers’ efforts at practice.

Prairie Ridge moves back to Class 4A

With the tough schedule the Wolves play every year, the move back up from Class 3A to 4A shouldn’t be too difficult for Prairie Ridge to handle, but it could send the Wolves into a regional that would include the biggest teams from the area, including C-G and Huntley. Stefanie Otto’s teams, however, don’t fold under pressure and routinely are among the top squads in the conference.

The Wolves had a good nucleus of young players last season that will lead the team this year, including veteran varsity outside hitter Taylor Humm, who recently committed to Oakland (Mich.) University, a Division I program. Taylor Onoyan, a junior middle blocker, also should help secure the Wolves’ offense while senior libero Andreia Leja should anchor the defense.

Marian Central could win the SCC

The Hurricanes return standout starter Abby Gilleland, a junior setter, and senior libero Dena Ott, one of the area’s top defenders. Outside hitter Emma Hussey, right side hitter Kaitlyn Hartlieb and middle blocker Shelby Cassesse will also contribute substantially.

The Suburban Christian Conference is one of the state’s deepest volleyball conferences, with a team advancing to the state finals almost every year. Marian has won six regional titles in the past seven years.

Harvard and CL Central continue their success

Harvard has gone to the state finals three of the past four seasons, bowing out in the former Class A quarterfinals in 2005, then finishing third in Class A in 2006 and fourth in Class 2A last season.

The Hornets return sophomore setter Katarina Rotta, middle hitter Shannon Ditsch and outsides Brittany Finke and Megan Struck, who all started on last year’s fourth place team.

Crystal Lake Central has gone to state twice in the past three seasons, winning a Class 3A state title in 2007 and finishing fourth last year. Central returns setter Tracy Friel and middle hitter Amelia Anderson as well as outsides Courtney Kiolbasa and Tara Weber. Defensive specialist Corrie Gustan will anchor the back row.