Scouting DuPage County girls volleyball
Top teams: Addison Trail, Benet, Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, IC Catholic Prep, Montini, Naperville Central, Naperville North, Timothy Christian, Waubonsie Valley, St. Francis, Wheaton Warrenville South. Willowbrook, York.
Top athletes: Addison Trail: Mia Johnson, sr., OH, Ally Severino, sr., OH/MH; Benet: Caroline Doyle, sr., L; Kyla Kenney, sr., OH; Rachel Muisenga, sr., S; Kiara Zamar, sr., L;
Downers Grove North: Sandy Brindl, jr., S, Madi Cuchran, sr., L; Gwen Wolkow, jr., OH; Downers Grove South: Alyssa Fountain, sr., OH, Lily Ross, sr., OH, Kayden Dempsey, jr., OH; Fenton: Abby Boehm, jr., MH;
Glenbard South: Brittany Miller, jr., OH, Coco Stachnik, jr., L, Alex Milharm, sr., MH; Glenbard West: Emory Kennebeck, sr., MH;
Hinsdale Central: Brooke Cooper, sr., OH, Nikolette Nedic, sr., OH;
IC Catholic Prep: Kristen Brachmann, sr., MH, Sophie Hurt, sr., S;
Lake Park: Taylor Connolly, sr., OH, Ariana Marchese, sr., L;
Metea Valley: Keira Jannisch, sr., OH, Sam Rueda, sr., OH;
Montini: Reeghan Boyer, jr., L; Maddie Kasallis, jr., MH; Paige Pickering, jr., OH;
Naperville Central: Kenzie Brower, jr., MH, Giorgia Cavalleri, sr. OH, Kaitlyn Skowronski, sr., OH;
Naperville North: Ellie Hall, sr., MH, Eva Hartung, sr., OH, Anna Jaworski, sr., S; Neuqua Valley: Lauryn Housholder, sr., OH, Jahnavi Karat, jr., S, Bryanna Jones, so, OH;
St. Francis: Olivia Hojnicki, sr., MH, Jessica Schmidt, so., MH, Katlyn Sipes, sr., L; Timothy Christian: Greta Hoogstra, sr., MH, Campbell Marshall, sr., S; Alli Myers, sr., L; Waubonsie Valley: Ashlyn Hickey, so., OH, Ally Smith, jr., S, Leah Tubbs, jr., MH; West Chicago: Lyniah Lee, jr., MH; Westmont: Alexa Bueser, sr., S; Wheaton Academy: Schuyler Williams, sr., OH; Wheaton North: Zoe Morano, sr., L, Isabella Zinkus, jr. S; Wheaton Warrenville South: Lizzie Chiesa, sr., OH, Darby Harris, jr., S; Willowbrook: Grace Reckamp, sr., S, Stephanie Dasbach, sr., MH;
York: Georgiana Barr, sr. OH,
Season outlook: Addison Trail brings back plenty of experience, with three-year starters Ally Severino (Elmhurst University) and Mia Johnson headlining the returnees. "We will move them around based upon the greatest needs of our team," Addison Trail coach Daniel Styler said. "We trust both of them to play multiple positions."
As expected, Benet, the defending Class 4A state champions, is loaded with college-bound players, as senior setter Rachel Muisenga, a Penn State recruit, is one of the top players in the state. Senior outside hitter Kyla Kenney, an Indiana recruit, is a big-time outside hitter.
"This year's team has eight seniors with five players that saw playing time on the 2019 championship team," Benet coach Brad Baker said. "We have several underclassmen that have a chance to be special. Our overall depth is some of the best we've ever had."
Downers Grove North coach Mark Wasik is optimistic for a memorable season, mainly due to the return of Michigan recruit, senior libero Madi Cochran. Junior outside hitter Gwen Wolkow (Campbell University) had 410 kills last season.
"Madi Cochran very well may be the top libero in the state," Wasik said. "She has the ability to impact the outcome of a match."
Downers Grove South is fresh off a regional championship, with a good blend of talented seniors and juniors to go with a slew of first-year players.
"We anticipate playing a sound defensive game with a balanced attack," Downers Grove South coach Kristina Toth said.
After finishing with a 17-18 record last season, Fenton returns 10 varsity players, including junior middle hitter Abby Boeehm and setter Elizabeth Aguirre.
Glenbard North is looking to turn things around after a 12-win campaign. The Panthers are led by three-year varsity player, outside hitter Akira Lebron.
Glenbard South's led by senior middle hitter Alex Wilharm, a three-year starter, and talented juniors Brittany Miller and Coco Stachnik.
"The strength of our team is our serving," Glenbard South coach Chad Grant said. "We have several athletes that are both aggressive and accurate from the service lines."
Hinsdale Central is a team to watch in the West Suburban Conference. The Red Devils bring back senior outside hitter Brooke Cooper (Cornell), senior outside hitter Nikolette Nedic (Northern Illinois), senior setter Alyssa Lim and junior outside hitter Lauren Borhani.
"We have a really solid senior class that will be surrounded by a ton of talent from our juniors, sophomores and even a freshman," Hinsdale Central coach Lisa Tazelaar said.
IC Catholic Prep is set to be a powerful team this season, especially with senior setter Sophie Hurt (NIU) and senior middle hitter Kristen Brachmann. Both players are four-year varsity starters. The Knights (27-12) bring back several key players, including powerful outside hitters Jess Sobon and Claire Wagner.
Led by senior outside hitter Taylor Connolly and senior libero Ariana Marchese, Lake Park has a nice mixture of upperclassmen to go with young and upcoming players.
"We're going to be a young team with only two seniors returning," Lake Park coach Brian Fischer said. "Taylor and Ariana have been varsity players for three years and be leaders for the team."
Montini, which finished 27-12 in 2019, returns a well-balanced squad with high hopes. Montini first-year coach Patricia Linnig has the benefit of returnees Paige Pickering, Maddie Kasallis and Reeghan Boyer to build off this season.
"Overall, we have a really well-balanced, physical team with depth in each position," Linnig said.
Naperville Central (28-9) welcomes the return of senior outside hitter Giorgia Cavalleri. The Long Island University recruit missed her junior season with an knee injury.
"This is a hard-working bunch who loves a challenge," Naperville Central coach Brie Isaacson said. "Giorgia is a dominant outside hitter who loves to be aggressive."
Naperville North is positioned to be among the top teams in the DuPage Valley Conference. The Huskies have talent and depth at nearly every position, highlighted by senior setter Anna Jaworski (SIU).
"Anna leads the team in terms of leadership and skill," Naperville North coach Jennifer Urban said. "She has impeccable integrity, worth ethic and drive."
Neuqua Valley veteran coach Kelly Simon welcomes back three returning starters from last season's 24-win team that tied for first place in the DVC. Lauryn Housholder, Jahnavi Karat and Bryanna Jones are the players with the most experience back for the Wildcats.
St. Francis has the potential to be in store for another memorable run. Senior libero Katlyn Sipes is back to be one of the leaders for the Spartans.
"We will have a very solid defensive team," St. Francis coach Lisa Ston said. "Katlyn Sipes is explosive and has a great read on the ball."
Timothy Christian is coming off a Class 2A sectional title, but don't expect a drop-off. Not with senior libero Alli Myers, senior setter Campbell Marshall (Dordt University), senior outside hitter Hannah Schuringa and senior middle hitter Greta Hoogstra leading the way.
"We're a team that already knows how to play together," TC coach Scott Piersma said.
Waubonsie Valley is a revamped team after losing all of its players from last season's 28-win, regional championship team.
"We have a lot of potential and a lot of hardworking athletes," Waubonsie Valley coach Kari Galen said.
West Chicago is filled with new faces following an 18-win season. Still, juniors Lyniah Lee, Brianna Pechman and Elle Gerster bring a level of experience to the team.
Senior setter Alexa Bueser is one of the leaders for a talented Westmont team. The Sentinels (19-15) will rely on six seniors this season.
"We have strong serving and a smart offense," Westmont coach Jennifer Gliwa-Bell said.
Willowbrook is one of the more experienced teams, as several players from last season's 20-16 team are back.
"The strength of our team this year will be our experience," Willowbrook coach Irene Mason said.
In 2019, Wheaton Warrenville South placed second in Class 4A, losing to Benet in two sets. The Tigers (33-9) are led by captains, Lizzie Chiesa and Darby Harris.
"We should be pretty solid in ball control and defense and I'm excited about the new parts that we've added," Wheaton Warrenville South coach Bill Schreier said.