Girls volleyball: Geneva living up to its billing so far

The Geneva girls volleyball team is well aware of the hype.

The Vikings came into the 2016 season being ranked nationally by several different Web-based outlets, including the highly regarded PrepVolleyball.com, as well as the No. 1 team in the Daily Herald's preseason Top 20.

"We had a nice conversation about that before the season," said Geneva coach Annie Seitelman. "People that wrote those things haven't seen us play and at the time they wrote that, everybody is 0-0. We need to make sure we can focus on what we have control over. If we are doing the little things, the bigger goals we have will come."

At the same time, Seitelman wasn't surprised by the national spotlight. "Not necessarily surprised with the kids we have coming back and the club seasons they had and the recognition they received and now they all are coming together. We have six of seven starters back. Like I keep telling the girls, we're not focused on outcome goals, but more on the things we can do to that will make us successful."

Geneva started the season 5-0 in winning the Plainfield North tournament. Standout senior outside hitter Grace Loberg and junior libero Payton Bellano were named to the all-tournament team there.

"Peyton had a nice tournament," said Seitelman. "She stepped it up for us with her serve-receive and defense. It was nice to see her get that accolade."

Rosary update: The Royals head into their match with Geneva Thursday on a 6-match winning streak. Rosary was 7-1 overall through Wednesday.

Martha Konovodoff was named all-tournament at the Plainfield North invitational, while coach Rachel Hartmann-Fox also has received strong play from Meegan Hart.

"It's still very early, but we are working on our defense and have seen good improvements with it so far," she said. "We have become more of an all-around team instead of relying on one or two players."

As far as Geneva goes?

"It will be a good chance to see how we match up with a top team in the area," said Hartmann-Fox.

St. Charles East update: St. Charles East opened some eyes by winning the recent Conant tournament. The Saints were impressive in their title win over defending state-champion Wheaton St. Francis by a 25-20, 25-16 count.

"We passed really well in that match," said longtime St. Charles East coach Jennie Kull. "Our defense was great. We've been focusing on serve-receive and defense. We passed well, which opened up a lot of options for us."

Kyla Augustine and Klaudia Sowizral combined for 13 kills against St. Francis. The Saints also have received strong play from the likes of setters Kyra Slavik and Morgan Kull, along with libero Alexis Jett.

"That tournament was a big confidence boost," said Kull. "We won five matches there and our first two losses of the season went to three. Before, it was a matter of finishing for us and we did that in the tournament. It was a complete effort."

Harvest Christian Academy update: Harvest competed in the recent Timothy Christian-Westmont tournament and took second. The Lions' only two losses in the tournament were to a Timothy team that is fresh off a third-place Class 2A state finish last year.

"There were a lot of good teams in the tournament," said Harvest coach Mike Bui. "I was happy with our finish and I was happy we were able to compete with a team like Timothy."

Bui said a big step forward for the team has come in the form of its first contact. "Our serving and passing has gotten better," he said. "We've spent three-quarters of our practices doing that and the improvement has been dramatic. These kids want to win and they want to get better. They work harder than any group I've seen. They have a goal and will do what they need to do to get to that goal."

The Lions have been bolstered by the likes of setting sisters Hannah (senior) and Kaitlin (sophomore) Murray, along with standout outside hitter Mikayla Robinson, who had 75 kills in the five tournament matches over the weekend.

"She's one of the better players in the state," said Bui of Robinson, a South Carolina commit and the daughter of former Chicago Bears standout Marcus Robinson. "Her performance there was pretty impressive."

Burlington Central update: It's been a rough start for Burlington Central, but first-year coach Meghan Blahnik has seen plenty of positives from her group. Central was 0-8 to start the week.

"They have a willingness to get better," said Blahnik. "It's been rough as far as wins and losses go, but we've been close in every match and lost several in three. We've played some really tough teams and several were 4A schools. They keep battling and working hard in practice."

Blahnik lauded the efforts of Madison Williams on the defensive end at the Metea Valley tournament, while Madison Leone and Summer Smith have been the team leaders in kills in each match. Blahnik also praised Lexi DeWaard's consistency.

Bartlett update: Two bright spots for the Hawks so far have been Megan Regan and Shayna Chacko. "Megan is playing very smart at the net and has been increasing her kill percentage each game," said Bartlett coach Melissa Ortiz. "Shayna's passing has improved and she is displaying a new confidence within herself. She is starting to take on her role as the libero and controlling the back row."

Dundee-Crown update: The Chargers recorded a recent 25-12, 25-22 over perennial Fox Valley Conference power Cary-Grove. D-C coach Christine Hopkins Muehl said it's the first time the Chargers have beaten Cary-Grove in "about 10 to 12 years."

Senior captain Emma Brant (middle blocker) has been a consistent threat for the Chargers, while junior captain and libero Zoe Sitarz and senior captain and setter Ali Buckley also have been key contributors out of the gate.

"We definitely can play with all the teams in our conference this year. Every conference match is a big match," said Hopkins Muehl. "We just need to decide to do it and try to remain positive and consistent. This group of girls has a strong chemistry and we are continuing to foster a 'we' before 'me' attitude."

Hampshire update: Sophomore Riley Seagren and Lucy Magnussen were named to the all-tournament team at the recent Rockford East tournament.

"Riley is so versatile and can play anywhere that we need her," said Hampshire coach Lauren Jensen. "She comes into practice every day with a positive attitude and works so hard. She wants to get better and has already improved so much. She is a great asset."

Lucy Magnussen has formed a strong middle duo with Olivia Magnussen. "When our passing is on, they both have a great connections with our setters," said Jensen.

St. Charles North update: Sophomore right-side Katie Lanz was named to the all-tournament team at the Plainfield North invitational. "Katie is playing phenomenally," said North coach Lindsey Hawkins.

The North Stars also are benefiting from the strong play of junior outside Abby Graham and senior middle Jordan Silvers.

"Our overall court presence is improving," said Hawkins. "We graduated four seniors last year who played and started since they were freshmen, so we are a very young and inexperienced group this year in terms of leadership. This group still is figuring out who is going to lead and who is going to be the one to hold the team accountable. It seems to be working itself out."

Hawkins calls this year's group resilient. "Everyone is qualifying them as an underdog this year because of having graduated those key players," she said. "So many people are counting us out. My girls are not counting themselves out and we have yet to play a match where we weren't behind at one point and surged back to win."

Aurora Central Catholic update: The Chargers were off to an 11-3 overall start and a 3-0 beginning in Metro Suburban Conference play at the week's beginning. The Chargers won the consolation championship at Joliet Central and then won their pool and took fifth at the Chicago Christian tournament. ACC holds conference wins over IC Catholic Prep (twice) and Illiana Christian (in three sets).

Junior setter Sarah Elliott was an al-tournament pick at Chicago Christian. Senior outside hitter Sydney Audiffred-Zauner was all-tournament at Joliet Central.

"Sarah plays every point like the score is 24-24," said ACC coach Janelle Pritchett. "This goes for practice, too. She earned a spot as captain on the team by her leadership and actions on and off the court."

The Chargers also have been bolstered by the play of junior libero Rachel Herreld, while the likes of Jackie Lillwitz, Hannah Watkins and Katie O'Donnell have been key performers off the bench.

"I'm impressed at how hard the girls are working in practice," said Pritchett. "The culture change that was needed is happening. Them telling me they want to work hard is not the same as them actually doing it. They certainly are doing it. I've also been impressed with the depth of the team. Players have come in off the bench and have had a big impact for us at various times. The non-starters are pushing the starters every day to hold those starting spots."

Elgin Academy update: Standouts for the Hilltoppers thus far have been freshman middle-right side Caelinn Leahy, who has cracked the starting lineup and scored on her first 5 block kills in her first tournament.

Academy also has shifted gears after the loss of starting setter Elizabeth Sporina (freshman) to a broken foot early in the season. Senior defensive specialist/libero Nadine Kademoglou has stepped into the setting slot. "Nadine has taken her team to the next level," said Hilltoppers coach Dawn Gross. "She plans on breaking the school record for assists. She connects well with her hitters and is a strong captain as well."

Junior middle-outside Madeline Sporina, seniors Sophie Borchart and Sophie Shapiro (team leader in digs) and middle-right side Gia Joyce also have aided the team in the early going.

"I see a very determined team hungry to win," said Gross. "Swinging harder and running a faster offense is the key for this group. I see a hardworking team that wants to win regionals and go as far as it can."

Batavia update: The Bulldogs took third at the recent Westmont/Timothy Christian tournament, downing St. Edward 25-10, 26-24 in that third-place contest. Annie Jordan had 17 assists in the second set against St. Edward. Batavia as a team had 19 kills in that second set.

Longtime Batavia coach Lori Trippi-Payne noted her team's offense is "as predicted, pretty consistent and is better than the last two seasons by far," she said.

The coach also has been impressed with the team's improvement at the service line. "We have really been working hard at that," she said.

Larkin update: The Royals started the season on a 3-match winning streak. Natalie Kofie and April McGhee have led the way for coach Henry Graack's squad. Mackenzie Malone and Mallory Boulton also have been key contributors.

"Mallory has continued to improve offensively and will be playing a bigger and bigger role for us as the season progresses," said Graack. "As our physically biggest player (6-1), we have worked with her offensively every practice to increase her consistency. She has an uphill battle moving from middle to outside as a sophomore with little volleyball experience to begin with, but she is working hard and constantly improving."

Graack said team chemistry has helped the Royals in the early going. "It's the amount of sportsmanship and teamwork they display every day," he said. "They always are on the same page and agreeing with each other about what needs to stay the same and what needs to change. A lot of time between games or before/after practice when I enter the huddle they already are talking about something I was going to talk to them about."

West Aurora update: The Blackhawks were 7-6-1 overall through Tuesday. That included a key win at home against St. Charles East. West took second in its own 12-team tournament. Kayla Battle had 19 kills in the tournament. West also placed fourth at the Benet tournament where Gillian Jones and Ali Greenwood were all-tournament picks.

Junior setter Natalie Jones, senior setter Grace Van Dorn and junior middle Farah Taki also have been right in the thick of things for coach Kevin Mortlock's team.

"One thing that has stood out the most is our growth as a team and as a program since the start of the year," the coach said. "The players stay together during tough stretches of matches and give everything they have to overcome adversity. The girls have a hunger and desire that seems to grow with each match. They know they have the opportunity to do great things with the amount of talent they possess together."

Elgin update: The Maroons were 4-5 overall after a loss to Geneva Tuesday. Last week, Elgin downed Bartlett in a UEC crossover.

"That's the first time we've won at Bartlett in a while," noted Maroons coach Scott Stewart.

The Maroons have been powered by senior setter Sofi Mari, junior libero Karen Aguirre and junior outside Kylie Graves. The three were all-tournament selections (either first-, second- or third-team picks) at the 16-team Rockford East tournament where Elgin placed fourth. The Maroons took 15th there a year ago.

"I've noticed a much different team atmosphere this year," said Stewart. "We're working together much more as a team and the play on the court is much better. I see more confidence in each other and we're off to a good start."

South Elgin update: Storm coach Joni Plach was thrilled with how her team competed in a two-set split with West Aurora at the Blackhawks' tournament recently.

"That first game was one of the highlights of our season so far because West Aurora is a good team and we were able to win a lot of points," she said.

Juniors Casie Swanson and Sarah Murray, who both have been on the team since they were freshmen, have led the Storm thus far. Transfer student Jessica Wimbley has helped, as has varsity veteran Libby Vedrine.

"If we play like we did against West Aurora, the rest of the season should be looking good," said Plach.