Girls volleyball / Scouting Northwest

Returning players: Jenny Vliet (So. 5-10 S-OH), Olivia Falk (Sr. 5-5 S), Veronica Dabrowski (Sr. 6-0 OH), Rachel Mickey (Jr. 5-11 MH), Morgan Keller (Jr. 5-11, Abbey Hill (Sr. 5-8 OH-L), Julie Unti (Sr. 5-6 OH)

Newcomers: Natalie Cannizzo (Sr. 5-6 DS), Kelly Sarussi (Sr. 5-4 DS), Ashley Montanez (So. 6-2 OH-MH), Amy Wenzel (Jr. 5-6 OH), Sarah Kazanow (Sr. 5-8 OH)

Outlook: Opels begins her 18th season at Rolling Meadows with one of the most experienced teams in a few years. #147;I am very pleased with the leadership that has been shown from this year#146;s captains (Dabrowski and Falk),#148; Opels said. #147;They have been working very hard in practice and I hope it translates over into their season play.#148; Keller and Mickey return in the middle for the Mustangs and look to be a big blocking threat again, along with an offensive gain. #147;Our setters, (Vliet and Falk) have been doing a lot of hard work on gaining timing with our hitters,#148; Opels said. Dabrowski is expected to make a strong contribution on offense after last year#146;s experience. #147;I strongly feel we will be stronger this season and have an excellent chance at a successful season and impacting the MSL East,#148; Opels said.

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Coach: Jason Kopkowski (fourth year)

Last year#146;s record: 18-17, 7-3

Graduated players: Kayla Jordan, Allison Fallon, Sarah Hennessy, Taylor Schroeder, Sejal Shal, Chloe Huebner, Annette Gorzelany, Sandra Kowalski.

Returning players: Kellie Kuzmanic (Sr. 6-0 MB), Sara Kern (Jr. 5-8 OH), Sydney Keith (Sr. 5-10 MB), Joanna Stankowicz (Sr. 5-7 OH)

Newcomers: Emma Jensen (Sr. 5-7 OH), Elizabeth Smith (So. 5-10 OH), Kim Voltare (Sr. 5-3 DS), Nia Evens (Sr. 5-4 DS), Rocio Gutierrez (Jr. 5-7 OH), Deanna Hanna (Sr. 5-6 S), Jessi Zuba (Jr. 5-11 OH), Mayra Ocampo (Sr. 5-6 OH), Amanda Mullin (Jr. 5-9 S), Charlene Figueroa (Sr. 5-7 L), Allison Talken (Jr. 5-7 OH), Esmeralda Cruz (Jr. 5-8 OH), Kelli Berglund (Jr. 5-9 MB), Eva Posnanski (Jr. 6-2 OH), Emily Walker (Jr. 5-8 S), Haley Singer (So. 5-7 OH), Cayla Iwaniuk (Jr. 6-0 MB), Caitlyn Slussar (So. 5-6 L), Deanna Kuzmanic (Fr. 5-10 S)

Outlook: Kopkowski watched his Wildcats come together as a team last season, creating superb chemistry and finishing second in the MSL East. A solid core returns this season, including Kellie Kuzmanic (189 kills, 64 blocks, 61 digs and 41 aces as a junior) for her third season. #147;I expect Kellie to lead on and off the court, as well as make a significant impact in every match that we play,#148; Kopkowski said. Keith and Stankowicz return for their second seasons. #147;Those two girls played a significant amount of volleyball during the off-season through clubs and other leagues,#148; Kopkowski said. #147;They will see a significant amount of playing time, which will lead to positive results.#148; Kern will be making her varsity debut as a junior. #147;She still has a lot to learn, but will help this team move to the next level with her athleticism and skill set,#148; Kopkowski added. Zuba and Ocampo will add height and a strong attack to the front row. #147;I am looking forward to a successful season,#148; Kopkowski said. #147;Within our program we have a number of girls competing for the same position and playing time. Every day the energy levels are high and the effort of each girl is at 100 percent. Our experience, chemistry and athleticism will carry us part of the way with our knowledge and effort taking us the rest of the way to a winning season.#148;

Mid-Suburban West

Barrington

Coach: Rob Ridenour (first year)

Last year#146;s record: 20-17, 8-2

Graduated players: Mallory Combs, Tara Grundy, Meagan Combs, Madison Lang, Lisa Von Drasek, Annabel Perry

Returning players: Lauren Dunseith (Sr. 5-11 S), Lauren Shechtman (Jr., 6-0 MH), Olivia Szuszkiewicz (Sr. 5-8 OH), Peyton Lang (Jr. 6-0 OH), Julia Thompson (Jr. 6-0 RS), Amanda Dee (Sr. 5-8 L), Emily Casaletto (So. 5-5 L)

Newcomers: Natasha Singh (Sr. 5-8 S), Kaitlin Koenig (Sr. 5-9 MH), Madison Keller (Sr. 5-11 MH)

Outlook: Ridenour is very excited to start his first season as head coach with this group. And it#146;s clear ot see why as the Fillies return some talented players from a team that won 20 matches a year ago. #147;These girls have a great practice work ethic and a passion for the sport,#148; Ridenour said. #147;Our seniors are tremendous people and set a positive tone in our gym. We have looked good defensively with Amanda (Dee), Olivia (Szuszkiewicz) and Emily (Caseletto) leading the way.#148; All-area selections Dee (397 digs, 28 aces during the regular season) and Julia Thompson (team-high 165 kills) helped the Fillies win 17 of their last 24 last matches last season. Dunseith has done a nice job running the offense and has some strong options with Lauren (Shechtman), Julia (Thompson) and Peyton (Lang). #147;If we can maintain a high level of emotional consistency, I think we are going to have a really fun year,#148; the coach said. Ridenour has been the head boys coach at Barrington for six years. He played high school volleyball at Naperville North where he was part of a 1997 state championship. He also played club volleyball at Illinois. Ridenour has been a part of the Barrington staff for two years and is currently Study Skills Coordinator.

Conant

Coach: Peggy Scholten (35th year)

Last year#146;s record: 14-22, 2-8

Graduated players: Chelsea Vanicek, Kaitlin Chiero, Kelly Anderson (Lincoln College).

Returning players: Jenn Donnell (So. MB), Taylor Levitt (Jr. 5-4 DS), Allie Bauch (Sr. 5-6 OH), Sam Armando (Sr. 5-7 RS), Michelle Lauterbach (Sr. 5-10 OH), Rachael Yordon (Sr. 5-5 S/D), Jessica Kovar (Sr. 5-8 RS).

Newcomers: Suzi Loznjakovic (Jr. 5-2 S/D), Anita Kajewski (Jr. 5-3 DS), Morgan Peterson (Sr. 5-8 OH), Megan Reff (Sr. 5-10 MB/RS), Brittany Hoffman (Sr. 5-10 MB).

Outlook: The Cougars are looking for the right combination to round out their lineup. One key graduation loss was Vanicek, who contributed for the Cougars in the front and back row. The all-area senior outside hitter and captain put down 113 kills and collected 191 digs last fall. She also owned the team#146;s highest serve-receive percentage. With eight seniors, three juniors, and a sophomore vying for starting spots on this year#146;s team, Scholten said the energy is high and the girls are working hard. #147;At this point, there are interchangeable players competing for all positions,#148; said Scholten, an IHSA Hall of Famer who is the dean of the MSL with 35 years of head coaching experience. Conant has a challenging non-conference and tournament schedule that will help prepare for MSL West and postseason play.

Fremd

Coach: Curt Pinley (14th year)

Last year#146;s record: 24-11, 5-5

Graduated players: Alex Messner, Kayla Price, Rebecca Bagg, Jaime Groot, Nina Kocko

Returning Players: Claire Brady (Jr. MB), Jessi Wiedemann (Sr. OH), Rebecca Clarke (Jr. OH), Kendall Shoaf (Jr. MB), Marilyn Lortz (Jr. S), Nina Scott (Jr. DS),

Newcomers: Kelly Doherty (Sr. OH), Nicole Obos (Jr. OH), Rachel Doering (Sr. DS), Lane Hindenburg (Fr. MB-OH), Christine Cammenga (Jr. S), Taryn Lempa (Sr. DS-OH),

Outlook: Pinley begins his 14th season with several players back from last year#146;s team which won the Grayslake North Invite and was third in the Early Bird. #147;We are really excited about this season,#148; Pinley said. #147;We are returning many players from last year#146;s team.#148; All-area selections Kayla Price (Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and Alex Messner are among the graduates. Price finished with 1,044 career assists while Messner was a three-year starter who put down 663 kills in the regular season last year while collecting 513 digs and 53 aces. The talented Wiedemann has already committed to Valparaiso to play basketball. #147;The most important thing is that our team is really bonding well,#148; said Pinley, who led the Vikes to the 2009 MSL West crown. #147;I think that our season will be successful, not just in terms of wins and losses but in the friendships that are created throughout this year. We are looking forward to the possibilities this season holds for us.#148;

Hoffman Estates

Coach: Dan Hutton (fifth year)

Last season#146;s record: 13-20, 2-8

Graduated players: Jada Stotts (Austin Peay), Kelsey Pellus, Colleen Thomas, Eiftu Haile, Ashley Kooiker, Mel McGinn, Nicole Reed, Tanya Skworch

Returning players: Ali Engelhardt (Sr. 5-10 S-OH), Destinee Young (Jr. 6-0 OH-MB), Becca Stoczynski (Jr. 6-0 OH-MB)

Newcomers: Nicole Lechowicz (Sr. 5-8 DS-OH), Mirela Horozovic (Sr. 5-8 OH), Karina Zolp (Sr. 5-9 S), Shannon Keane (Sr. 5-7 DS), Sam Janicki (Sr. 5-5 DS), Sydney Johnson (Sr. 5-7 S), Becky Knapik (Sr. 5-10 MB), Sam Acosta (So. 5-4 DS), Clare Shaffer (So. 5-10 MB), Bella Zach (So. 5-4 DS), Brittany Williams (Jr. 5-4 DS)

Outlook: The Hawks graduated many athletes last year, including all-area standout Stotts, who led Hawks with 342 kills), which has opened up the opportunity for new players to showcase their talents. #147;We have a nice mix of seniors, juniors, and sophomores this year,#148; said Hutton about his fifth team at Hoffman. #147;The girls have worked very diligently this summer together and are displaying great cohesiveness on the court.#148; Stoczynski, Young and Knapik already showed their hitting strengths in the Hawks#146; opening win over Larkin on Tuesday. They took their cues from setters Zolp and Engelhardt. #147;Many of the girls have not played in the varsity arena but are showing great promise and working extremely hard to earn their spot in the starting lineup,#148; Hutton said. #147;We are excited for the season and have confidence that we will be competitive in the MSL.#148;

Palatine

Coach: Dan Gavin (fifth year)

Last season#146;s record: 12-21, 3-7

Graduated players: Gabby Mattes, Jo Jablonski, Kaley Sierawski

Returning players: Lauren Kluk (Sr. 5-10 S), Amanda Hilmer (Sr. 5-11 OH), Heather Suiter (Sr. 5-10 MB), Casey Dolen (Sr. 5-6 L), Val Soderstrom (Jr. 5-10 S-MB), Madison Rodriguez (Sr. 5-9 OH-MB), Alex Keelty (Sr. 5-6 DS), Cayla Kendzior (Jr. 5-6 DS), Cassie Chaplinsky (Jr. 5-10 RS-OH), Taylor Fricano Jr. 6-3 OH), Sarah Shiffner (Jr. 5-7 DS)

Outlook: Gavin is excited about the potential of this year#146;s veteran group. #147;We have some returning talent and several newcomers that I think will surprise some people,#148; he said. Graduated is four-year varsity performer Kaley Sierwaski, who committed to Jacksonville State prior to her junior year. Among the returning talent is Kluk, a three-year starter at setter who led the team with 559 assists last fall. She also had 34 blocks (second on team), 92 kills, and a team -high 37 aces. Hilmer is a two-year starting outside hitter who had second-best 161 kills last season. Suiter has started two years at middle blocker and collected a team -high 45 blocks in 2010 with 100 kills (third on the team). Dolen led the back row with 328 digs and had a second-best 36 aces. She also led the team in serve receive efficiency. Soderstrom chipped in 109 assists with 42 kills last season. #147;The girls worked extremely hard in the offseason and had a very successful and productive summer,#148; Gavin added. #147;I think that#146;s given us a lot of confidence and motivation to continue to work hard and compete. The West should be deep and competitive as always and I think we can be right in the mix.#148;

Schaumburg

Coach: Jeanette Pancratz (21st year)

Last year#146;s record: 21-12, 9-1

Graduated players: Emily Young (USC), Sara Travis (Millikin), Rebecca Thompson (Millikin), Ashlee Norris, Natasha Senecal, Sadie Murphy

Returning players: Bria Hailey (Sr. 5-9, MH), Meghan Falsey (Sr. 6-2 S), Whitney Grossman (Sr. 5-4 L), Kelly Koutnik (Jr. 5-9 OH).

Newcomers: Jenna Gerber (Sr., 5-10 MH), Michelle Klages (Sr. 5-2 DS), Allison McGinn (Sr. 5-9 MH), Samantha Mellert (Sr. 5-8 S), Cheyenne Pfeiffer (Sr. 5-6 OH), Marisa Christy (Jr. 5-5 S), Deanna Murphy (Jr. 6-0 MH), Kiana Lewis (So. 5-9 OH).

Outlook: With the graduation of some key weapons, including all-stater and Daily Herald all-area honorary captain Emily Young, the Saxons will have a new look this fall under Pancratz, who has won more than 700 matches in her career. Young, now playing for USC, excelled all over the floor for the Saxons. She collected 373 assists, 190 kills, 49 blocks and 47 aces last fall. Hailey returns as an all-area selection who put down 82 kills last fall with 73 blocks and 41 aces. #147;We graduated a ton of experience while most of the Mid-Suburban West teams return the majority of their experience.#148; Pancratz said. #147;Our girls are working to fill the voids. Time and extra hard work will tell.#148;

Northeastern Athletic

Christian Liberty

Coach: Natalie Salsgiver (fifth season)

Graduated players: Camille Kott, Annie Salsgiver, Holly Swiderek.

Returning players: Carly Baric (Sr. 5-10 MB), Rachael Sotomayor (Sr. 5-6 DS), Jayna Rowland (Sr. 5-7 S), Kelly Paul (Sr. 5-10 OH), Karla Laskowski (Sr. 4-11 DS), Beth Cunningham (Jr. 5-8 MH), Rachel Freeman (Jr. 5-9 OH)

Newcomers: Emily Houdek (Sr. 5-5 OH-DS), Sarah Recker (Jr. 5-6 S), Isabella Zarate-Miller (Jr. 5-10 MH), Darby Calkins (Jr. 5-4 DS)

Outlook: After capturing Class 1A regional titles in their first two years as an IHSA member, the Chargers step up to 2A this fall. Cunningham and Baric stepped up as top attackers last year and Rowland will direct a 5-1 offense this season. #147;I feel confident in this group,#148; said Salsgiver, a Maine West graduate. #147;They just have to believe in themselves.#148; The Chargers are looking to improve in the Northeastern Athletic Conference. #147;We have some hitting power,#148; Salsgiver said. #147;We have to work on defense and see it improve as the season goes on.#148;

Central Suburban North

Maine West

Coach: Randy Tiller (sixth season)

Last year#146;s record: 8-29, 4-6

Graduated players: Caitlin Walsh, Colleen Finander, Brianna Stasch, Eileen Guinane, Kelly Cerri, Siobhan Higgins

Returning players: Katie Fitzgerald (Sr. OH), Alyssa Bojarski (Sr. S), Kayla Riportella (Sr. L), Brynn Einecker (Sr. OH), Ashley Collins (Jr. RS), April Escobar (Sr. DS)

Newcomers: Brittany Collins (So. MB), Maddie Plantz (Jr. OH), Ariel Valles (Jr. OH), Sammy Whalen (Jr. MB), Tara Nykiel (Jr. RS), Georgia Peterson (Jr. S), Bridget Burger (Jr. DS)

Outlook: Tiller feels this team has respectable height and is faster than his last conference championship team (2008). #147;We will play great floor defense with Riportella as our libero,#148; Tiller said. #147;We will have a strong offense led by Fitzgerald and Bojarski. And we will put up a formidable block with Collins, Fitzgerald, Whalen, Plantz and Valles.#148; The juniors will challenge the seniors for playing time. Tiller said they are working to improve each other#146;s skills. Just a sophomore, Collins is expected to develop into a very effective middle blocker. Fitzgerald will remain on the outside where she led the team in kills (138) last year. She also had 27 aces and 13 blocks. Bojarski, a team captain, knows how to deliver the ball to Fitzgerald and will direct the offense as the primary setter. Riportella brings club experience and will lead the defense as our primary passer. Collins and Whalen will learn to become varsity middle blockers, but they are capable athletes. Plantz and Valles are strong and have good height. Along with senior Brynn Einecker, the three are in contention for the second starting outside hitter.

West Suburban Gold

Leyden

Coach: Danielle Sitkowski (first year)

Last year#146;s record: 19-18, 1-5

Graduated players: Mary Arredia, Mora Quinlan, Juliana Bassmah, Krysta Mulvey, Catherine Wojdyla

Returning players: Kelly Murphy (So. 5-8 OH), Danielle Zaccariello (Sr. 5-9 OH), Inez Carrasquillo (Sr. 6-0 MB), April Markowski (Sr. 5-7 MB), Jennifer Simian (Sr. 5-3 L), Jennifer Sacksteder (Sr. 5-9 RS), Kinga Bielak (Sr. 5-9 RS)

Newcomers: Sarah Smerz (Jr 5-4 S), Carly O#146;Kray (So. 5-9 S), Brooke Matz (Sr. 5-4 DS), Chrytstal Arreola (Jr. 5-6 DS)

Outlook: Sitkowski takes over the Leyden program after serving as an assistant in the boys#146; and girls#146; programs since she started teaching at the high school six years ago. Sitkowski was an outside hitter at Shepard and played four years for the Chicago#146;s Finest Volleyball Club. She also co-founded Eastern Illinois University#146;s club program in 2003, playing a leading role both on and off the court until graduating in 2005. Her first team at Leyden will be young, and a less-experienced team than last season. Four starters graduated from a team that won 19 matches for coach Dave Sebald. Outside hitters Murphy and Zaccariello played a different position last year. #147;These two girls both play club ball and will be counted on to be leaders on and off the court,#148; Sitkowski said. Carrasquillo and Markowski are returning middles. #147;They may not be the tallest middles in our conference,#148; Sitkowski said. #147;But their hard work and dedication to the team will pay off.#148; Other returning players who will see more court time are Simian, Sacksteder and Bielak. Setters Smerz and O#146;Kray are new to the team while Matz and Arreola will play in the back row. #147;We compete against some top teams in our area throughout the season and have teams who excel in our conference,#148; Sitkowksi said. #147;However, I have high expectations. We hope to finish above .500 overall and compete for first in our conference. I am really looking for our setters to develop this year and start to become leaders on the court. They both have great potential and are working extremely hard in and out of practice to get better.#148;

East Suburban Catholic

St. Viator

Coach: Charlie Curtin (fifth season)

Last year#146;s record: 25-11, 3-6

Graduated players: Emily Leazer, Lauren Bunda, Carlyn Clevenger, Martha McEvoy, Kim McAvoy, Julie Sweeney, Samantha Wallenberg

Returning players: Lauren Falotico (Sr. 5-9 OH), Emily Williams (Sr. 5-8, S), Rachel Horvath (Sr. 5-10 RS), Stephanie Mazanek (Sr. 5-8 DS), Olivia Nuelle (Sr. 5-10 MH), Evelina Wozniak (Sr. 5-9 OH), Alex Byskosh (Sr. 5-9 MH), Janelle Stilling (Jr. 6-0 MH)

Newcomers: Shannon Carney (Sr. 5-8 MH), Caroline Young (Sr. 5-5 DS), Beth Romano (Sr. 5-3 DS), Maggie Shanahan (Sr. 5-10 OH), Mary Cleary (So. 6-0 MH), Sara Lopez (So. 5-7 L).

Outlook: With eight returning seniors, Curtin is looking forward to his fifth season in charge of the Lions#146; program. #147;The girls have been working hard and are a pleasure to be around,#148; he said. #147;We are a senior heavy team this year and will be relying on them to provide leadership both on and off the court.#148; The Lions graduated all-area libero Bunda, setter Clevenger and outside hitter Leazer but Curtin feels the team can still have another winning season. #147;Everyone is excited for the year and has been working hard with our strength and conditioning coach throughout the off-season,#148; Curtin said. #147;We are hoping to have another successful year and long run into the playoffs. The intensity at the beginning of the season has been high thus far and we are getting crisper in practice day after day.#148;