Girls Lake County volleyball previews

North Suburban Lake

Lake Zurich

Coach: Matt Aiello (3rd year)

2007 record: 30-7

Graduated players: Lisa Butzen, Crystal Wright

Returning players: seniors Lydia Bauer, Amber Miehlke, Melissa Miehlke; juniors Audrey Bauer, Jen Grunden, Alex Karigan, Monica Kloep, Brittany Murawski

Newcomers: sophomores Lauren Gornik, Alexis Hartman; freshmen Amanda Orchard, Ali Summers

Outlook: After winning 30 matches last year and only losing two players to graduation, expectations are extremely high. "They know exactly where they want to go and they believe they're more than capable of achieving all our goals," Aiello said. The ultimate goal? A trip to the state tournament. "They want to go beyond anything they've done before," he said. Lake Zurich has six players that are 5-foot-11 or taller and returns eight players with significant varsity experience. "In practice, we've been playing at a real high intensity level from day one," Aiello said. "There has been a lot of competition for starting positions." For the first time, Lydia Bauer will direct a 5-1 offense. Bauer will be able to distribute the ball to any of her hitters. "They can all put the ball away," Aiello said. Aiello believes Melissa Miehlke is one of the best liberos in the state. Grunden made tremendous improvement since last year. "She's powerful and is really developing a dangerous jump serve."

Libertyville

Outlook: Chris Trzyna (23rd year)

2007 record: 34-8

Graduated players: Leigha Bystol, Amber Bryant, Jenny Caren, Erin DeMarco, Lexie Gibbons, Ali Haws, Dani Kopera, Brittany Laine, Emma Melendez, Katy Pfund

Returning players: seniors Emma Mach, Maka Stewart

Newcomers: seniors Meggie Buhrman, Sarah Caren, Jenny Hamlin, Sami Mack, Anna Pollema, Kerstin Taylor; juniors Alanna Connors, Carly Dobryman, Megan Friedman, Carissa Hughes; sophomore Catie Steffen

Outlook: Libertyville enjoyed a dream season last year, advancing all the way to the semifinals of the IHSA state tournament. This season, a different group of players will try to keep the Wildcats playing at a high level. Mach is the only player with significant varsity experience, but the newcomers enjoyed success last year on the Wildcats' lower-level teams. Stewart would have played a big role but she sustained a season-ending injury over the summer. As usual, look for Libertyville to field a strong defense. Hamlin, who was called up last year for the state playoffs, will be the libero. Caren and Hughes have the setting responsibilities. "We need to work on communication and trusting teammates, but we've had some great flashes of play," Trzyna said. "These kids are gamers and they love to compete."

Mundelein

Coach: George Dressen Jr. (4th year)

Last year's record: 15-20

Graduated players: Mandi Baumgartner, Mallory Boich, Sarah Kelly, Katie Randau

Returning players: seniors Jennifer Davis, Kiersten Horndasch, Emily Peel, Jessica Wilson; juniors Megan Barron, Alyssa Fritz, Michelle Parssinen, Kelsey Sullivan

Newcomers: senior Heather Wiener; juniors, Kailey Hinchman, Brittany Jones, Katherine Mui, Natasha Navarrete, Gina Withrow

Outlook: Mundelein's talented sophomore class learned on the job last year. This season, Dressen believes the experience accrued should lead to a 20-win season. "We have returning players with varsity experience and we've brought up players from a tight-knit sophomore team," he said. "I believe we'll make a run for a regional title." Parssinen, who is close to 6-foot-2, is on track to be a Division I recruit. "She's improved a lot," Dressen said. "She's more mobile at the net. She'll be serving and she (may play) some defense." For the second consecutive season, Sullivan will direct the offense. "She has her own style now and is able to mix up her sets effectively," Dressen said. Jones has the most leaping ability on the team and could be a force on the outside. Barron, who plays on the right side, is the team's most consistent hitter. Fritz was elevated to varsity for the second half of last season. "She covers the floor really well and her passes are on the money," Dressen said.

Stevenson

Coach: Tim Crow (7th year)

2007 record: 29-10

Graduated players: Tracy Africk, Hannah Burke, Amanda Fleischman, Monica Gasey, Kelly Hall, Amy Phillips, Lauren Rachke, Margaret Salata

Returning players: seniors Taylor Berland, Michelle Fleishman, Mary Kate Fritzsche, Izzy Shaindlin, Maria Skillman, Aubrie Wnek; junior Maggie Lundstrom

Newcomers: seniors Annelise Docel, Chelsea Furlan, Brittney Gescheidle, Courtney Levy, Doris Wu; juniors Amber Hughes; sophomore Jenna Przybyla

Outlook: Stevenson was impressive in its season-opening victory over Rolling Meadows. As a team, the Patriots served 11 aces. Stevenson will rely quite a bit on its three returning starters. This is Fritzsche's fourth-year on varsity. "She's our best-all around player," Crow said. "We rely on her to play a consistent game." Fleishman will have the chance to attack more. "She's quicker to the ball and (looks) more comfortable," Crow said. Shaindlin is a constant at libero. Crow is impressed with the way she is reading hitters. Lundstrom and Przybyla are sharing time at setter and both are playing well. "We're not a very tall team, but they're working hard in practice and getting after it on the defensive end," Crow said.

Warren

Coach: Julie Filippo (5th year)

2007 record: 6-14

Graduated players: Missy Ceisel, McKenna Hennelly, Amanda Rapp, Brianne Schultz, Kelsey Smith, Colbi Thompson

Returning players: seniors Lindsey Goad, Emily Mohapp, Sarah Myles, Laura Scheck; junior Shelby Myers, Emily Rediger

Newcomers: juniors Alex Booker, Kerry Eddy, Kelly Hastings, Morgan Munda

Outlook: The Warren players came into the first practice in shape and ready for a much brighter season. "They don't want any part of last year," Filippo said. "The attitude is different. We're working hard and improving daily." Mohapp has developed into the team's best passer. "We want to get Emily the ball on serve-receive as much as possible," Filippo said. Scheck is a versatile middle blocker and in her third year on varsity. "We're experienced in the middle and we have strong outsides," Filippo said. "We don't have any superstars and everybody is pulling their weight and pushing for a position."

North Suburban Prairie

Antioch

Coach: Glen Heitman (2nd year)

2007 record: 29-9

Graduated players: Lindsey Callanan, Katie Lonergan, Melissa Ori, Tara Saulski, Katie Smiley, Megan Toczek

Returning players: seniors Martha Arntson, Anne Bruce, Katrina Holm, Rebecca Ribar

Newcomers: seniors Kirstin Crichton, Brittany Hartl, Deidra Hawker, Kendall Padgett, Samantha Sagers, Megan Vladic; juniors Lauren Grant, Erica Lubkeman, Chelsey Retzlaff; sophomore Savana Bailey

Outlook: Antioch must reload after losing a decorated senior class that included two Division I recruits. But the departure of Toczek (Western Illinois) and Lonergan (LSU) allows a new crop of players to develop into big contributors. "We might start a little slow, but by the end of the year we'll be all right," Heitman said. The Sequoits received bad news on the first day of practice with the loss of Ribar to a likely season-ending knee injury. Padgett, Bailey and Crichton will all see time at setter. "We're fortunate enough to have three strong setters," Heitman said. Arntson and Bruce are veteran players who will be integral to the Sequoits' success. "We're a more rounded team," Heitman said. "We're passing the ball well, and I think we'll surprise some people."

Grant

Coach: Sue Thompson (13th year)

2007 record: 14-23

Graduated players: Maggie Hunsinger, Rachel Mitchell, Taylor Nobilio, Jamie Swanson, Savannah Trevithick, Bailey Wagner, Tori Zigler

Returning players: seniors Janine Fiordirosa, Amber Potts, Rachel Behm, C.J. Hill; sophomore Becca White,

Newcomers: seniors Jessica Nusbaum, Sarah Scurto; juniors Hannah Couch, Valerie Heelan, Morgan Liles; sophomores Sarah Berthiaume, Stefanie Cahill, Nicole Dickson, Becca McMullin

Outlook: Grant hopes improved passing will help compensate for a lack of size. "We're spending a lot of time on our defensive skills," Thompson said. "We're trying to be a good, scrappy fundamental team. That's what is going to keep us in games. On offense, we're trying to find ways to score against bigger teams." Potts will play libero and is one of the Bulldogs' most improved players. "She started passing well at summer camp, and every week she gets a little stronger and more accurate." Although Berthiaume might be the setter of the future, her all-around skills make her more valuable to Grant this season as a hitter and passer. Fiordirosa and Heelan will each log time at setter. Hill is the Bulldogs' top returning hitter. "There's probably not going be a standout, so everyone will see quite a bit of playing time," Thompson said. "We have sophomores and juniors who will get varsity experience and that will help us in the future."

Lakes

Coach: Carla Thompson (4th year)

2007 record: 7-25

Graduated players: Kelly Bol, Keshia Cunningham, Lindsay Frisby, Lauren Mruk, Kathy Szczesniak, Katie Thompson, Melissa Werfelmann

Returning players: seniors Hannah Dewitt, Steffanie Fisher, Allie Rosenzweig; junior Mandy Fischer

Newcomers: senior Cristina Iturbe; juniors Chelsea Gallagher, Reiley Gliva, Shanna Hertz, Jessica Prellberg, Jenna Schellinger, Sarah Toporek; sophomores Mary Doupis, Sally Kenney; freshman Rachel Sieracke

Outlook: Most of Lakes' points will involve Steffanie Fisher, who will see time at outside hitter and setter. "She reads the court well and can put the ball anywhere there is an opening," Thompson said. "She should be one of the strongest hitters in the North Suburban Conference." Doupis will anchor the team's defense at libero. "She will get to every ball if it's humanly possible," Thompson said. Fischer was on the varsity last year, but she is a much improved middle blocker. What the Eagles need most is match experience. "It's a fun group that's anxious to learn," Thompson said.

Round Lake

Coach: Amanda Allen (3rd year)

2007 record: 5-26

Graduated players: Stephanie Beres, Tabi Charlet, Amber Chayer, Brittany Kucia, Karla Muldowney

Returning players: juniors Annaliese Eaton, Myra Edwards, Amanda Horcher, Ashley Miller, Labrinthia Murdock, Amber Phillips

Newcomers: juniors Danielle Beres, Angie Carey, Samantha Hughes, Stephanie Infante, Liz Rodriguez, Hayley Ward sophomore Emily Beane

Outlook: Round Lake should be much more competitive this season. "The seniors have not had a successful career in (terms of) wins and losses and they're wanting more," Allen said. Edwards led the team in kills as a junior, and she's become a more mechanically-sound player. "I'm looking forward to how that plays into a game setting," Allen said. Phillips, the team's blocking leader as a junior, also returns. "She can truly be a force at the net," Allen said. Beres and Rodriguez should split time at setter. Horcher, who set in the past, will get more opportunities to hit. Infante, Ward, Carey and Beane will all be counted on for passing.

Vernon Hills

Coach: Abbie Gutzmer (2nd year)

2007 record: 24-10

Graduated players: Amy Burton, Kelsey Guglielmi, Caitlin McKenna, Kelly Nagle, Brianna Skeens

Returning players: seniors Ana Christensen, Megan Kubacki, Sarah Milligan, Rachel Ramsey, Jaime Rucks; juniors Amy Choi, Brigid Walsh

Newcomers: juniors Alana Coy, Emma Danch, Chole Hough, Nora Snyder; sophomores Alla Krashevsky, Alisa Welter

Outlook: Ramsey and Choi are the team's top returning players. Ramsey will be counted on in all phases. "She does such a good job of controlling the net," Gutzmer said. "We'll look a lot to Rachel for offensive ability, defensive maturity and leadership." Choi is perpetual motion on the court as the Cougars' libero. "She's pretty much all over the place," Gutzmer said. "We want her to take every ball she can get to." Kubacki also is a top-notch defensive specialist. The Cougars have potential on offense, but at least in the beginning of the season the defense will be called on to carry the load.

Wauconda

Coach: Jonathan Grandt (6th year)

2007 record: 21-13

Graduated players: Alexa Gebelhof

Returning players: seniors Lisa Aguilar, Becky Breakfield, Corinne Feight, Alexa Gebelhof, Megan Holub, Lauren Mead, Jessica Sauer, Kristy Waltenburg; juniors Stephanie Olson, Michelle Waltenburg, Maddie Westman

Newcomers: junior Alicia Selicia; freshman Erinn Hellweg

Outlook: This could be a huge season for Wauconda. The Bulldogs return seven seniors and a talented group of juniors. "We're expecting to do well," Grandt said. "Expectations are high." Wauconda has four players that are at least 6 feet tall. Breakfield will play all the way around this year, and her game will feature a new jump serve. Westman and Mead will be tough in the middle. This is Waltenburg's second season as the starting setter. "She feels more comfortable with the offense and most of our hitters were on last year's team," Grandt said. "She has a lot of options."

Fox Valley Conference

Grayslake Central

Coach: Jason Janczak (3rd year)

2006 record: 11-21

Graduated players: Brianna Anderson, Amy Houghton

Returning players: seniors Shannon Curtis, Anna Dlesk, Tory Dohm, Brittany Gibson, Lauren Novak

Newcomers: senior Amber Benko, Briana Glende; junior Lydia Boyle; sophomores Emily Anderson, Kat Dickson

Outlook: Grayslake Central is coming off a good summer. They placed second in the Libertyville summer league. How well the Rams do will depend in large part on the senior seasons of Dohm and Curtis. "This is their year and they know it," Janczak said. "If they do great, we'll do great." Curtis should contribute in all phases. "She's aggressive and smart on offense," he said. "(Defensively), she has the determination where nothing hits the floor." Dohm is an excellent blocker and also has developed a jump serve. Dlesk should come through with many key points. "She consistently puts the ball away," Janczak said. "She's an unsung hero." Grayslake Central knows it will be tested in conference play and is looking forward to the challenge. "We're playing in the land of the giants and we want to give teams a run for their money," he said.

Grayslake North

Coach: Nikki Kirchway (3rd year)

2007 record: 15-21

Graduated players: Megan Falk, Nicole Klima, Alex Lowry, Elizabeth Phillips, Michelle Quigley, Kauri Voss

Returning players: seniors Kaitlyn Clausner, Rosey Vergara, Taylor York

Newcomers: seniors Areli Lopez, Laura Mendoza; junior Sarah Walker; sophomores Brianna Leon, Lauren Trahan

Outlook: Grayslake North was hit hard by the graduation of its first senior class, but the Knights do return three seniors. Klausner, the starting setter the last two years, will move to a new position - outside hitter. "She's our best hitter and passer," Kirchway said. Kirchway feels confident with Klausner on the outside because of the development of Trahan as a setter. York is a strong server and will play on the right side. Vergara will be key on defense. "She has determination and constantly hustles," Kirchway said. The Knights lack size in the middle, but Kirchway said Walker and Leon are smart, young players.

East Suburban Catholic

Carmel

Coach: Bill Szczesniak (3rd year)

2007 record: 24-19

Graduated players: Ashley August, Rachel August, Brooke Bowes, Kelsey Frederik, Kaitlyn Howard, Lynn Macrowski, Christine Murphy, Megan Paterkiewicz, Vanessa Toby, Kathleen Vadnias

Returning players: seniors Kelley Jazdzewski, Sarah Kopfmann, Katie Roy; junior Paige Sivertsen

Newcomers: juniors Stephanie Glogovsky, Sam Salvi, Sonja Smith, Sarah Stanton; sophomores Sarah Grum, Erin Paterkiewicz, Karrah Toby; freshman Megan Mowery

Outlook: In volleyball, it often takes awhile for the defense to come together. That should not be a problem for Carmel. The Corsairs' strength is their back-row play, headlined by Kopfmann, Salvi and Toby. "We'll be very strong defensively," Szczesniak said. "Getting the offense to work together will be the key for us." Mowery will make an immediate impact at setter. She will share time at that position with Smith. Both setters are left-handed. "Megan has a good arm swing and can take a second ball really well," Szczesniak said. "Sonja has improved. I see her playing more consistently. She's picking up the offense quickly." Glogovsky is Carmel's hardest hitter, while fellow outside hitters Stanton and Sivertsen rely more on placement and reading the court. Jazdzewski is a good blocker and has a solid all-around game. While most teams began play this week, Carmel does not open its season until Thursday against Mundelein.