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Girls volleyball: Lake County all-area team

Morgan Anderberg Grayslake Central

The senior made the seamless transition from libero last year to an all-around player for the Rams this year. A three-year varsity starter, she made the most of her senior year by leading the team in kills (162) and finishing second in digs (334) and aces (38). "She made a lot of big kills for us at key times throughout the year at the net and had an ability to read a block and a team's defense to find the open spots on the court," coach Jason Janczak said of his outside hitter and captain. Anderberg will continue her volleyball career at Augustana College.

Katherine Barr Antioch

When they saw her play, they weren't disappointed. The junior middle blocker lived up to the hype. "There is something special when you walk into a gym and a coach or ref says, 'Hey, I heard you have an amazing middle,' " coach Jamie Atkinson said. "And it is even better when I am able to say, 'We do.' Katherine was dominating presence all season." Barr posted a hefty 110 blocks. She also had 40 aces and 170 kills, hitting at a 44-percent clip.

Katie Billetdeaux Lakes

The junior middle blocker returns next year and, best of all, she brings back her height in the middle. She's all of 6 feet 2. In the season-ending loss to Stevenson, Billetdeaux notched 10 kills. She finished the season with 182 kills and 36 blocks. The Eagles can build around her next season. "So impressed how much better and more mature her playing has gotten in just one year," coach Kate Cheek said. "She really stepped up to be one of the biggest assets on the team."

Sidney Brunkow Mundelein

The senior outside hitter produced a breakout campaign, pounding 184 kills to go along with 35 blocks, 29 aces and 288 digs in her third varsity season. She doubled her kill total from last season. Coach George Dressen Jr. called her a "self motivator who leads by example." Brunkow produces in the classroom, too, as she ranks 11th in her class.

Grace Butler Carmel Catholic

Bound for Central Michigan, the senior setter has been running the Corsairs' offense by herself the last two years and was half of their 6-2 attack her sophomore year. She has the most assists in a season and most career assists for Carmel's program. A team captain the last two years and the team's MVP the last two years, she was voted onto the all-ESCC team. Heading into Thursday's sectional final against Marian Central, her numbers this season included 152 kills, 707 assists, 32 Aces, 235 digs and 59 blocks. For her career, she amassed 494 kills, 1,873 assists, 114 aces, 610 digs and 165 blocks.

Alex Cuc Stevenson

A first-year varsity starter, this gifted setter found some targets to work with this fall. But 835 assists? Now that's something. She could also serve a little, ringing up 62 aces.

Abby Fish Grayslake North

This is one athlete you can find in other sports. For the Grayslake North volleyball team, Fish played a key role at the net. In addition to her 30 blocks, the 5-foot-10 senior middle hitter slammed 147 kills.

Erika Gallimore Antioch

Coach Jamie Atkinson called the senior setter "the queen of the left-hand setter dump." A standout basketball player, Gallimore also excelled on the volleyball court. "Erika was a playmaker," Atkinson said. "She always had a trick up her sleeve and seriously did some amazing thing on the court. She also kept a positive attitude, and that is what our team appreciated the most." Gallimore dished out 196 assists and also had 95 kills and 152 digs.

Lexi Gora Lake Zurich

She was another important player for this 25-game winner in Lake Zurich. In her senior season, Gora notched 279 kills, 107 digs and 32 aces.

Hannah Johnson Grant

What a target for the Bulldogs this season. When Johnson connected on a hit, that volleyball went down. Her power hitting was clearly one of the best in Lake County this season. Listed as a middle hitter this season, her height and athleticism helped Grant post another 20-win season. She was credited with 264 kills and 36 blocks. She also helped at the serving line with 57 aces. The 6-2 slugger is off to South Alabama University next year.

Kate Kiser Grant

Kiser was Grant's aggressive server and primary setter for this gifted team from Fox Lake. Running the offense, this 5-10 player was able to spread the ball around to the outside hitters and to 6-foot-2 Hannah Johnson. Again, her serving was something to behold. Several times this season, Kiser was a big help to the Bulldogs landed several aces a match.

Lauren LaBeck Grayslake Central

The versatile junior setter dished out 377 assists and served 45 aces, both team bests. She also racked up 107 kills. "Lauren was a dynamic force for us on the floor this year," coach Jason Janczak said. "She did it all and she did it well. A two-year varsity starter, this year was a year of growth for Lauren. ... She had the ability to put the ball in the right places for our hitters, and when she was in the front row she became an offensive threat for us. Lauren always worked hard to always bring her best to every match, and her level of play elevated the play of those around her."

McKenna Lahr Lakes

On the first day of September, this senior came up big. The Fordham-bound outside hitter delivered 10 kills in a win over Carmel. She was counted on for a big season for Lakes after posting more than 200 kills and digs her junior season. This Sky High player gave the Eagles good height at 5-11, while producing 285 kills, 26 blocks, 64 aces and 304 digs. "McKenna was so willing to take chances this year," coach Kate Cheek said. "She listened and improved every day. As coaches, we could give her a look and she knew that she would be able to step up and take over. Her pure strength and athleticism have really helped her to be a dominant player in the conference."

Anna Lillydahl Libertyville

Did anyone in this area set the ball as high? It was a special campaign for the Libertyville senior setter. Mark down 536 assists, as she led her team to another special campaign (North Suburban and regional titles). And she also took time to chalk up 89 kills.

Claire Lundtveit Warren

Such a versatile player for the Blue Devils. This was one player who could do it all. She was potent on offense with 239 kills. On defense, she notched 188 digs.

Natalie McNally Warren

Another key senior on the Warren team, McNally was an all-around force. In addition to her 40 aces, she nailed 173 kills. Her defense was key as well with 219 digs.

Lauren Nelson Carmel Catholic

Nelson has progressed tremendously from last year. "I haven't seen any player improve so much in one season since I've been coaching," coach David Pazely said. "Her hard work has paid off and she is the team's leader in kills - as a middle that is very impressive - and blocks." A team captain, she was a force at the net. "Her dominance at the net has taken us from a good team to a great team," Pazely said. "She hasn't committed anywhere yet, but she will be able to play somewhere in college."

Morgan O'Brien Libertyville

What's the quick scouting report on this libero? Simply do not hit the ball to her. If this were baseball, it would an automatic out. Is O'Brien the best libero around? Short answer: Yes. For this special season at Libertyville, O'Brien added to her school record with 552 digs. She also helped on offense with 214 points and 55 aces. A four-year varsity starter, she will next play for the University of Illinois.

Jori Radtke Stevenson

The Northern Illinois-bound senior outside hitter was a double-digit machine. Named captain of the Daily Herald Lake County All-Area team, she was a four-year varsity starter. This season saw her pound more than 500 kills, launching her past 1,000 for her career. She also amassed more than 200 digs for the Patriots, who adcanced the sectional finals.

Hayley Redmann Wauconda

The senior finished her play at Wauconda by having a strong season hitting the ball. Always reliable for good play at the net, the middle hitter gave some stability to this young offense. Of course, her athletic career isn't quite over as she plays left field for the softball team in the spring.

Jane Sakowicz Wauconda

This junior has taken the call to play defense for these Bulldogs. On several occasions this fall, Sakowicz managed to ring up double figures in digs for Wauconda. No, it wasn't the best of years for this young team but with another year to play defense, the Bulldogs should be stronger with Sakowicz digging volleyballs. She also plays for the Sky High Club Volleyball team.

Sophie Sorenson Stevenson

What a nice addition to the Patriots, who earned a sectional-final appearance. This southpaw could put the ball away, as she ranked second to Jori Radtke in kills with 264. She also was helpful on defense with 274 digs.

Haley Stevenson Libertyville

The senior was the power hitter in Libertyville's lineup this season. In this balanced offense, the Emery University-bound senior notched 135 kills. She boasted a 40.5 kill percentage for the North Suburban Conference champs.

Hannah Sweetwood Lake Zurich

The Bears needed this special player in their lineup this fall. Sweetwood hammered 406 kills and 40 blocks. She also managed 128 digs.

Erin Taylor Carmel Catholic

The junior outside hitter notched 171 kills, 66 digs and 16 blocks in her second varsity season. "We know if we are in trouble we can throw the ball up to her and she'll make a play," coach David Pazely said. "As a junior, she is still fine-tuning her skills but she continues to make improvements. She's learning to handle the pressure that comes with being an upperclassman and having expectations she didn't as a sophomore, but she is embracing those challenges and helping her team succeed by making plays at her position. She will be someone other teams will have to watch out for next year as a senior."

All-area roster

Player School Yr. Pos.

Morgan Anderberg Grayslake Central Sr. OH

Katherine Barr Antioch Jr. MH

Katie Billetdeaux Lakes Jr. MH

Sidney Brunkow Mundelein Sr. OH

Grace Butler Carmel Catholic Sr. S

Alex Cuc Stevenson Jr. S

Abby Fish Grayslake North Sr. MH

Erika Gallimore Antioch Sr. S

Lexi Gora Lake Zurich Sr. OH

Hannah Johnson Grant Sr. MH

Kate Kiser Grant Sr. S

Lauren LaBeck Grayslake Central Jr. S

McKenna Lahr Lakes Sr. OH

Anna Lillydahl Libertyville Sr. S

Claire Lundtveit Warren Sr. OH

Natalie McNally Warren Sr. OH

Lauren Nelson Carmel Catholic Sr. MB

Morgan O'Brien Libertyville Sr. L

* Jori Radtke Stevenson Sr. OH

Hayley Redmann Wauconda Sr. MB

Jane Sakowicz Wauconda Jr. L

Sophie Sorenson Stevenson So. OH

Haley Stevenson Libertyville Sr. MB

Hannah Sweetwood Lake Zurich Sr. OH

Erin Taylor Carmel Catholic Jr. OH

* All-area team captain

Honorable mentionCassidy Beshel (Grayslake Central So. MH), Emily Bringer (Grant Jr. OH), Nicole Carazas (Wauconda Jr. OH), Kayla Dabrowski (Grant Jr. OH), Katy Fisherkeller (Grant Jr. L), Ashley Freund (Grant Sr. MB), Gabby Fugle (Wauconda Sr. OH), Erica Grant (Lakes Jr. OH), Hope Havenhill (Stevenson Jr. RS), Taylor Johnston (Grayslake North Sr. L), Sophia Lehocky (Sr. MB), Kaylee Lebron (Lakes Sr. MH), Allison Maan de Kok (Warren Jr. S), Abby Marassa (Grayslake Central So. L), Rachel Orpano (Lakes Jr. S), Erin McBriarty (Grayslake North Jr. S), Tess Pribyl (Mundelein Sr. L), Chloe Robinson (Stevenson Jr. L), Samantha Sasin (Wauconda Jr. MH), Anna Valente (Libertyville Jr. OH), McKenna Zobel (Lake Zurich Jr. MB)

selections and profiles by Bill Pemstein

Katherine Barr
Katie Billetdeaux
Sidney Brunkow
Grace Butler
Alex Cuc
Abby Fish
Erika Gallimore
Lexi Gora
Hannah Johnson
Kate Kiser
Lauren LaBeck
McKenna Lahr
Anna Lillydahl
Claire Lundtveit
Natalie McNally
Lauren Nelson
Morgan O'Brien
Jori Radtke
Haley Redmann
Jane Sakowicz
Sophie Sorenson
Haley Stevenson
Hannah Sweetwood
Erin Taylor
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