Girls volleyball: Fox Valley All-Area Team

Loren Alberts, Huntley

Huntley was at its best when the Red Raiders worked their middles, and this 5-foot-10 senior set the tone there. Alberts finished with 198 kills, 23 aces and 165 blocks. She was an honorable mention all-American Under Armour selection. Will play at Damen College. "She became such a threat for us in the middle," Huntley coach Karen Naymola said. "She was also a go-to player who we really tried forcing the ball to whenever we needed a kill. She set such a great block and made it very difficult for any hitters to hit around. This also directly aided in our defense and allowed us to play defense around her enormous block."

Kendra Battle, West Aurora

The right side hitter blasted 240 kills and also had 13 aces, 40 blocks and 110 digs. Earned back-to-back all-conference selections in the Upstate Eight. Also was named to the 2018 AVCA Phenom List. Only a junior, Battle is a two-year starter. "Kendra has been a starter since her sophomore year and played all the way around," Blackhawks coach Kevin Mortlock said. "Kendra is a violent leftie right side hitter that every team needs to game plan for or she likely will take over."

Kaitlyn Beebe, Aurora Christian

Despite losing two of their top players including a Division I outside hitter who moved this summer, Beebe helped Aurora Christian reach the Class 1A sectional finals. The Grand Valley State bound senior and two-time All-Area pick was a well-rounded contributor who finished with 364 assists, 146 kills, 42 aces and 107 digs. Earned MVP honors in the Metro Suburban and all-tournament at the Harvest Christian invitational. "She was a great leader and commanded the court," Eagles coach Amanda Currens said. "Kaitlyn ran our offense smoothly and effectively."

Gigi Crescenzo, St. Charles North

Headed to Memphis, this four-year starter and repeat All-Area choice got better each and every year. That includes her junior season when she helped the North Stars reach the state tournament for the first time, then her final season this fall when she had 257 kills, 293 digs and 32 aces giving her totals of 596 kills, 84 aces and 643 digs. "Gigi is one of the most dynamic and athletic players I've ever coached," North Stars coach Lindsey Hawkins said. "She often goes unnoticed or overlooked by teams, which is a huge and costly mistake on their parts. She has been one of the rocks of this team for the past few years and she will be greatly missed for all that she brought to the court in terms of offense, defense and her general presence and leadership."

Hayley Fisher, South Elgin

The Storm enjoyed the best season in school history with 27 wins and just missed winning the Upstate Eight Conference with a tight loss to Glenbard East in the final game of the regular season. Fisher supplied much of the offense with 261 kills while serving 52 aces and picking up 247 digs. A four-year varsity starter finished with 801 kills for her career. "Hayley's years of varsity experience paid off her senior year," South Elgin coach Joni Plach said. "She was everything we needed her to be on and off the court for us. She played her senior year like she's been working on it the last four years. She had the senior year that I envisioned her freshman year. She knows what to do. She knows defense is just as important as offense. Her defense really picked up since last year."

Calli Gentry, St. Charles East

In college this 5-foot-9 senior will set at Wisconsin-Green Bay, but for the good of the team she moved to outside hitter. Gentry led the Saints with 12 kills in an upset of 31-3 Belvidere North in the sectional semifinals and then helped the Saints surprise 35-3 Huntley to win an unlikely sectional championship. Her 219 kills and 291 digs were both second best on the team. Also helped the Saints in the back row, another new challenge she accepted. "She had to learn those two roles this year and she did just an outstanding job at it," Saints coach Jennie Kull said. "Because she's an athlete and she has the right mentality to do whatever she needs to do to make the team better. She did a great job."

Grace Hinchman, Geneva

This 5-foot-7 junior could keep balls alive with the best of liberos, leading the Vikings to another 20-win season. She had 568 digs, including 27 against Joliet Catholic and Waubonsie Valley, 24 vs. Metea Valley and Batavia, and 23 against Providence. Only made 45 errors. Also served 22 aces with only 19 service errors. "She's a great player," Geneva coach Annie Seitelman said. "She is able to read well. She goes after all those hustle plays."

Katie Jablonski, Kaneland

A 4-year starter and repeat All-Area selection who eclipsed the 1,000-kill mark in Kaneland's regional championship win over Rock Falls, she ended her career with a team-high 325 kills, 292 digs and 55 aces. Among the many awards the past four years are all-tournament at the Wheaton North Tournament three times, all-conference three years and Conference Player of the Year in 2018. She also earned Kaneland's MVP twice, and best offensive player in 2015, 2016 and 2017. "Katie has been our go-to hitter for Kaneland the past four years," Kaneland coach Cyndi Violett said.

Taylor Jakubowski, Huntley

Already a 3-time All-Area pick, this 5-foot-8 junior setter is committed to Seton Hall and led the Red Raiders to a 35-4 season. She set 895 assists and also had 408 digs and 29 aces. Made the all-tournament team at Autumnfest where Huntley beat Benet to win the title. "Just a great season for her, and we are obviously excited we have another year with her," Huntley coach Karen Naymola said. "Taylor is one of the most selfless players I have ever coached. She is a natural leader and will do whatever it takes for her team. She steps up in any situations for us and is such a clutch player."

Julia Johnson, Huntley

The No. 1 target to put balls down for Huntley, this 5-foot-11 outside hitter earned all-tournament honors at the Autumnfest tournament as part of a tremendous senior season. Johnson led Huntley with 325 kills including a match-high 17 in the sectional finals against St. Charles East. She also finished with 31 aces and 216 digs. Will play collegiately at West Point. "She was a go-to player for us," Huntley coach Karen Naymola said. "When the ball needed to be put down we were finding a way to get it to Julia. I am very proud of her growth as a player. She became such a smart hitter and really proved to be one of the top outsides in the area."

Katie Lanz, St. Charles North

Last year's All-Area captain, Lanz finished her high school career with another big season for the 31-7, DuKane Conference champions. The UNC-Wilmington recruit who both set and hit for the North Stars had 288 kills, 256 assists and 82 aces - giving her a total of 723 kills, 212 aces and 655 assists. "Katie has probably the hardest swing and toughest serve in the area," North Stars coach Lindsey Hawkins said. "This combination from her has been lethal for many teams, and given us a huge advantage over the last few years. We will miss her versatility, as I could put her almost anywhere on the floor and she would still dominate."

Kaitlyn Murray, Harvest Christian

The senior setter had 3 aces, 19 assists and 11 digs in a straight set win over IC Catholic Prep to give the Lions a Class 2A sectional championship. Harvest Christian finished with a 26-14 record a year after Murray was part of the Lions' first team to ever reach the state tournament. Finished with 812 assists this season to break her own school record last season of 798. She had 2,299 career assists. "Kaitlyn was our leader on the court this season," Harvest Christian coach Mike Bui said. "One of the best kids I have coached in 17 years. She will be greatly missed. She took a very young team into the supersectional in 2A, so a lot of credit goes to her."

McKenna Slavik, St. Charles East

This 6-foot-1 senior setter is headed to Clemson after a memorable summer and fall. After helping her club team win an 18U national championship, Slavik set the Saints to a 24-15 season and championship of the Class 4A Huntley sectional. Slavik finished with 616 assists, 290 digs, 47 blocks and 30 aces - and she also led the team with 249 kills as she constantly caught teams off-guard with quick tips. This year's All-Area Captain and a repeat All-Area selection. "She is real determined," Saints coach Jennie Kull said. "She put in extra time. She loves to compete. She loves to win. Even in practice. Every day she would work really hard and she would expect everyone else to. She wasn't the type of kid to goof around. I mean she would for a little bit but then she would really get after it."

Julianna Vassallo, Kaneland

The Knights set a school record with 34 wins this fall which included a 24-game win streak. They finished 34-5, and their defense was a big reason why. This senior Vassallo earned all-conference honors while leading Kaneland with 68 aces. Also had 232 digs and 51 assists. "Julianna has been our libero for the past three years," Kaneland coach Cyndi Violett said. "As captains (with Katie Jablonski) this year they led our team to an impressive record and to the sectional championship."

Sarah Zayas, Huntley

While many focused on the power hitters Huntley featured this fall, the Red Raiders also could play defense. This 5-foot-3 senior libero and 2-time All-Area choice led the way in the back, breaking the school record with 434 digs. She also was second on the team with 42 aces as the Red Raiders went 35-4 and just missed a sectional championship. "She definitely set the tone for us on defense," Huntley coach Karen Naymola said. "She read so well that she just makes everything look effortless. We would not have been the team that we were without her on defense. She constantly talked and led her team."

Honorable mention

Megan Anderson, Aurora Central Catholic, jr., S; Grace Bickford, Westminster Christian, sr., S/RS; Maddy Boyer, Batavia, sr., OH; Jenna Brown, Dundee-Crown, so., S; Emma Davine, Geneva, sr., MH; Sydney Fedderly, Kaneland, sr., S; Eli Ford, Geneva, sr., OH; Grace Franz, Kaneland, jr.; McKayla Geraghty, South Elgin, sr., OH; Maddie Gorniak, St. Charles North, jr., L; Lauren Greenwood, West Aurora, jr., L; Madison Hankins, Bartlett, fr., S; Taylor Jannusch, St. Edward, so., L; Sam Juarez, Batavia, sr., L; Jordyn Kelly, Jacobs, sr., L; Emma Konie, Huntley, so., RS; Sarah Konovodoff, Rosary, jr., L; Erin Kremer, St. Edward, sr., OH; Kyla Lannert, St. Charles North, jr., OH/S; Evynn Layshock, Cary-Grove, jr., OH/S; Katie Lomas, Burlington Central, sr., L; Jamie Maule, Crystal Lake South, sr., L; Alyssa Nesterowicz, Rosary, sr., OH; Annika Pickard, Rosary, sr., OH; Kaileigh Remlinger, Aurora Central Catholic, sr., OH/RS; Kendall Richardson, South Elgin, sr., S; Becca Robinson, Batavia, sr., S; Kirsten Rogers, St. Charles East, sr., MH; Samantha Rossetti, Hampshire, sr., S; Riley Seagren, Hampshire, sr., OH; Kate Selsky, Cary-Grove, sr., L; Anna Skrzpchak, South Elgin, sr., S; Inga Suceska, Elgin, sr., S; Kitzia Tinajero, Larkin, sr., S/L; Sam Urban, St. Charles East, sr., OH; Kennedy Venable, Elgin, sr., OH; Grace Vranicar, Kaneland, jr.; Maggie Wallenberger, Jacobs, so., OH; Ava Wilkins, Aurora Central Catholic, so., OH

Captain's honor roll

Girls volleyball

1995 - Jaime Johnson (CL South)

1996 - Stacy Barnett (CL South)

1997 - Vicki Lublow (Larkin) and Joni Melahn (Larkin)

1998 - Sarah Ahnen (Jacobs), Nicole Kwasniewski (Elgin) and Caroline Frede (St. Charles)

1999 - Marion Hansen (Huntley), Julie Malm (Larkin), Jorie Miguel (Jacobs) and Brooke Dodson (St. Charles)

2000 - Erin Borhart (Huntley) and Kelly Hopkins (St. Edward) and Lauren Harks (St. Charles East)

2001 - Erin Borhart (Huntley), Jamie Hastings (Cary-Grove) and Dani Nyenhuis (St. Charles East)

2002 - Meredith Stach (St. Edward), Aimee Knott (St. Edward) and Jaime Bevan (Geneva)

2003 - Brittney Aldridge (Hampshire) and Leslie Mansfield (St. Charles East)

2004 - Alyssa Groves (St. Edward) and Catherine Smale (Rosary)

2005 - Hillary Haen (Prairie Ridge), Paige Johnson (St. Edward) and Kim Nemcek (Geneva)

2006 - Hillary Haen (Prairie Ridge), Paige Johnson (St. Edward) and Emily Staples (St. Charles East)

2007 - Katie Post (Streamwood), Molly Turk (Burlington Central) and Laura Homann (St. Charles East)

2008 - Molly Turk (Burlington Central) and Laura Homann (St. Charles East)

2009 - Stephanie Holthus (Burlington Central) and Lauren Wicinski (Geneva)

2010 - Kelly Lamberti (Cary-Grove) and Lauren Carlini (West Aurora)

2011 - Amy Dion (Huntley) and Lauren Carlini (West Aurora)

2012 - Alyssa Ehrhardt (Jacobs) and Lauren Carlini (West Aurora)

2013 - Olivia Kofie (Larkin) and Taylor Krage (St. Charles North)

2014 - Carly Nolan (CL South) and Megan Schildmeyer (St. Charles East)

2015 - Claire Anderson (St. Charles North) and Erin Olson (Cary-Grove)

2016 - Grace Loberg (Geneva)

2017 - Katie Lanz (St. Charles North)

2018 - McKenna Slavik (St. Charles East)