Girls volleyball: Scouting the Northwest suburbs
Northeastern Athletic
">Christian Liberty
Coach: Natalie Salsgiver (fourth season)
Last year: 17-11, 2-8
Graduated players: Taylor White, Amy Farmer, LeyAnne Gonzales
Returning players: Seniors Camille Kott (5-4 S), Annie Salsgiver (5-8 MB), Holly Swiderek (5-4 OH), Juniors Carly Baric (5-9 MB), Jayna Rowland (5-7 S)
Newcomers: Karla Laskowski (5-0 OH), Kelly Paul (5-10 OH), Raquel Sotomayor (5-5 L), Beth Cunningham (5-8 OH), Rachel Freeman (5-7 MB)
Outlook: Five players return from last year's team which was the first in school history to play in the IHSA state tournament. The Chargers were able to bring the school's first girls volleyball regional title (Class 1A). Natalie Salsgiver has been a physical education instructor at Christian Liberty since 2000 and the volleyball coach since 2006. The Maine West and Missouri grad has three seniors this season, including her daughter Annie, a 5-8 middle blocker. "We have an all-around strong team," Natalie said. "Practice and confidence will enhance this team."
CSL North
Maine West
Coach: Randy Tiller (fifth season)
Last year: 7-28, 3-7
Graduated players: Maria Rozo, Angie Topolewicz, Steph Chalko, Germaine Geuder, Lauren Knipp, Connie Stanfa, Jessica Ley
Returning players: Seniors Caitlin Walsh (MB), Colleen Finnander (OH), Brianna Stasch (S), Eileen Guinane (DS), Kelly Cerri (MB), Siobhan Higgins (RS); Junior Katie Fitzgerald (OH)
Newcomers: Juniors Alyssa Bojarski (S-RS), Kayla Riportella (L), Brynn Einecker (OH), April Escobar (DS); Sophomore Ashley Collins (RS)
Outlook: Tiller returns seven players who know the system who will be joined by four strong and quick juniors, along with sophomore Ashley Collins (who saw action for the varsity last season during the Warriors' annual 16-team Pumpkin Tournament). Fitzgerald will move to outside hitter and has the potential to lead the team in kills. Walsh will play the middle, using her height and speed to help lead the team in blocks. Finnander has a very strong swing and will be Tiller's second outside hitter. Stasch, a senior setter, bring solid club experience and will run the offense. "This team has respectable height and is the fastest that I've measured in the past three years," Tiller said. "We will play great floor defense with Riportella as our libero. And Bojarski who is fast and smart, will bring a new dimension to the setter/right side position."
East Suburban Catholic
St. Viator
Coach: Charlie Curtin (fourth season)
Last year: 29-10, 7-3
Graduated players: Christina Brinkman, Kelly McConnell, Kelly Travaglio, Stephanie Rountree, Katie Lavelle, Mary Calov
Returning players: Seniors Emily Leazer (5-11 OH), Lauren Bunda (5-5 L), Carlyn Clevenger (5-7 S), Martha McAvoy (5-8 OH), Kim McAvoy (5-8 RS), Julie Sweeney (5-11 MH), Samantha Wallenberg (5-5 DS)
Newcomers: Juniors Rachel Horvath (5-10 RS), Alex Byskosh (5-9 MH), Stephanie Mazanek (5-8 DS), Olivia Nuelle (5-9 MH), Emily Williams (5-8 S), Evelina Wozniak (5-8 S), Lauren Falotico (5-8 OH); Sophomore Janelle Stilling (6-0 MH)
Outlook: Coming off their finest season (school-record for wins and first appearance in a sectional final) in school history, the Lions are looking forward to another top-notch season. "Our mix of both upper and lowerclassmen provide fun, competitive practices on a daily basis," said Curtin. "In order to be successful our girls need to stay healthy, and continue to work hard each and everyday." Leazer and Clevenger are three-year starters while Bunda has been on the team for three seasons. "Our team chemistry, our leadership, and overall positive attitude both on and off the court will all be strengths," said Curtin, whose captains are Clevenger, Leazer, and the McAvoy twins.
West Suburban Gold
Leyden
Coach: Dave Sebald (28th season)
Last year: 11-19, 2-4
Graduated players: Ciara Mackey, Jenna Wright, Allison Wachal, Klaudia Susul, Maggie Liskowicz
Returning players: Seniors Mary Arredia (5-9 OH), Moira Quinlan (5-6 DS), Juliana Bassmaji (5-8 S), Krysta Mulvey (5-8 S), Catherine Wojdyla (5-10 OH)
Newcomers: Juniors Jennifer Simian (5-3 DS), Jennifer Sacksteder (5-8 RS), April Markowski (5-7 MB), Inez Carrasquillo (6-0 MB), Danielle Zaccariello (5-9 MB); Freshman Kelly Murphy (5-8 RS)
Outlook: Arredia and Wojdyla are two strong outside hitters returning for Dave Sebald. Also back is libero Quinlan, who anchors the back row. Bassmaji and Mulvey will once again direct the offense. "As you can see we have a good group of kids with a lot of varsity experience coming back," Sebald said. "We add to them April Markowski, Danielle Zaccariello, and Inez Carrasquillo in the middle. We also add a freshman to the right side in Kelly Murphy." Sebald said 11 players are working very hard to not only play good volleyball but get the chemistry that it takes to be a good team. "We return some experience on the outside and setting and passing," the coach said. "We lack that in the middle so the girls that are in the middle are working hard to get into the flow and tempo of the offense and play good defense at the net." The Eagles were disappointed in their finish last fall. "So we are working hard to start strong and then build on that," Sebald said. "We were 11-19 and fifth in the conference with many of our losses in three games and by 3 or 4 points. We are looking to win the close games this year."