Geneva continues blazing start

Nobody is as hot as the Geneva girls volleyball team, now 15-1 after Tuesday night's 25-6, 25-13 win over Kaneland.

The Vikings are undefeated in the Western Sun and coming off the tournament title Saturday at Glenbard West, but Geneva's goals don't stop there.

"Win conference and we want to get to state," senior outside hitter Lauren Wicinski said. "That's the next step. I have confidence in us."

Wicinski pointed to a win over DeKalb as one that not only was key in taking the lead in the Western Sun race, but also giving Geneva confidence in how good it can be.

"It showed us where we are at their level and we can play with and beat teams like that," Wicinski said. "It showed us where we are and what we need to improve on."

Geneva is getting great play from its entire lineup, including the Sommer sisters Katie and Alexa, libero Grace Burns, right side Maddy Kolquist and setter Brooke Morphis.

Coach KC Johnsen has been impressed with the versatility in senior Kelsey Augustine's game, whether it is putting away shots at the net or hitting from the back row or her defense.

"Toward the end of last year we kept her on the floor the whole time. Not many people noticed how well she was doing the last few matches," Johnsen said. "I knew coming into this year she was a solid six-rotation player. She plays defense and serve-receives and she's a real threat to hit from back there. Her and Lauren both can score back row."

Working them in: While Geneva brought back almost its entire lineup, Batavia coach Lori Trippi-Payne to work several new faces into her rotation this year, which has resulted in her going deeper on her bench.

"I've had years when I used seven (players) and years when I used 10 or 11," Trippi-Payne said. "I think a lot has to do with roles and where people fit in."

The Bulldogs are running a 6-2 this year, using both last year's setter Katie Rueffer and Mary Nilles.

"I feel both of our setters are pretty good right-side attackers and I feel they do a pretty good job of that," Trippi-Payne said. "We're a pretty young team and to have another senior up their swinging helps. Both are good hitters so why not use them in that capacity?"

Caitlin Piechota is one of Batavia's hitters who appreciates both setters. Piechota has been impressed with the work ethic of this year's team.

"We're playing really well in every part of the game and working hard in practice," Piechota said.

Trippi-Payne sees the same thing. She wants her offense to continue becoming a little more consistent, which will enable her to work with more shot making from her hitters.

"All of our kids are coming along," Trippi-Payne said. "Everyone on our team is working hard. We have a lot of challenges every day in practice. All of them challenging each day in practice. We have a big mix on our team this year."

Division I dynamos: Jacqui Seidel decided first in the spring, then Caroline Niski followed this summer. When they were through, both had a college scholarship, and the St. Charles East girls volleyball team entered the year with two Division I players.

Seidel chose Ball State, where she's likely going to set.

"Once I visited I knew the program was right for me," Seidel said. "I liked the direction it was headed and the coaching staff was really comfortable with immediately. Location is close to home but far enough away."

Seidel also strongly considered UNLV, plus Notre Dame and Cal-State Fullerton. She's going to major in physical therapy and hopes to get into coaching after college.

Niski is headed to Maryland, which she first visited at a leadership conference unrelated to volleyball.

"It was like my dream school since I visited last summer," Niski said. "I stayed out there for a week. One of those things you get there and know it is the right place. It's got big cities next to you so there's easy transportation."

Niski, who will major in sports management or business, also considered Marquette, Grand Valley, Lehigh and Colgate.

Their coach at St. Charles East coach Jennie Kull has been named the 2008-09 Illinois girls volleyball Coach of the Year by the IHSA after leading the Saints to the Class 4A state title with a 38-4 record. She will be honored before next Tuesday's match against Waubonsie Valley, when the Saints return to their home gym.

In her 13th year coaching the Saints, she has a 358-111 record and has two state titles in 2001 and 2008. The Saints, who are 13-2 this season, have won nine Upstate Eight titles under Kull.