Girls volleyball Cook County notes: MSL adjusting to first year of new divisions
When the Mid-Suburban League began girls volleyball in 1972, now-closed Arlington was the first North division champion and Prospect the South champ.
In 1998, the league realigned the divisions due to enrollment and they became the MSL East and West.
Beginning this year, for the first time, the divisions will change on a yearly basis according to the team's previous records.
The East this fall (Barrington, Hersey, Fremd, Rolling Meadows, Buffalo Grove and Hoffman Estates) includes the six teams which had the best records over the past three years.
The West teams are Palatine, Prospect, Wheeling, Schaumburg, Conant and Elk Grove.
"We are excited to compete in the new MSL conference format and know that playing in this competitive conference is going to prepare us to make a run in the postseason," said fourth-year Hersey coach Laura Gerber, who was also the head coach at Prospect from 2016 to 2021.
Here is an update on Cook County teams through the first two weeks of the season.
Barrington: Coach Michelle Mayer got the Fillies off to a solid 8-4 start after a strong showing at the Jacobs Invite where they took second place last weekend.
"Ella Krull has been outstanding bringing energy and leadership to the court," Mayer said of her senior libero. "Her communication and hustle are setting the tone for our defense."
Kalyn Brookbank, who walloped 16 kills in a three-set win over Hersey, has stepped up in a big way, transitioning into a 6-rotation pin hitter. She currently leads the team in kills and is quickly becoming known as one of the most powerful hitters in the area.
"Eve Adler and Jaelyn Connole are doing a great job running our offense, showing poise in their setting while also contributing as offensive threats themselves," Mayer added.
Buffalo Grove: After two weeks of competition, first-year Buffalo Grove coach Tara Braceros has the Bison off a 5-3 start after beginning 0-3.
The Bison started the season with some key players out due to injury but they are now healthy and BG began the week on a five-match winning streak.
"We hope to extend this streak as we move into conference play," Braceros said. "This week provides us with a ton of opportunities for our team to compete and get better. We are consistently working on improving our first ball contact, so that our offense can take care of business."
Senior outside hitter Amelia Palubski and sophomore Olivia Hill are leading the way in kills with 38 and 37, respectively. On the defensive side of things, the Bison have size at the net, anchored by middle blockers Cameron Damm (13 blocks) and Sofi Dahl (14 blocks) while junior libero Ava Lo Verde has 75 digs.
Fremd: The Vikings (8-3 to start the week) went 4-1 in the Peggy Scholten tourney last weekend to win the silver bracket.
"This team has been so much fun already," said Vikings coach Pete Gavin, who led the Vikings to the Mid-Suburban championship last fall. "They support each other and never stop competing."
The Vikes were missing four seniors due to the ACT for the final day of the Scholten but had other people (including 2 sophomores and 2 freshmen) step up to continue helping Gavin's team improve.
"I am so excited to see what this group can accomplish together," Gavin added. "They are truly about team first and I believe that is going to serve us well in the long run. We have a difficult schedule ahead of us, but I’m excited for the journey."
Hersey: The Huskies entered Week 3 at 4-4.
"We have had tough competition playing Libertyville, Barrington, Maine South and Fremd," said Huskies coach Laura Gerber referring to the Peggy Scholten tourney last weekend. "All four are top teams and we held our own but couldn't take the win. We will have another opportunity against all of them other than Libertyville soon."
In the last 4 matches, outside hitter Macey Teuscher (33 kills, hitting .338) has proved herself as a dominant outside hitter.
Gerber said libero Freya McBride has played great defense and has 29 digs. Freshman middle hitter Morgan Matteucci has 12 kills (hitting .221) and right side Mahi Vullakula has 13 kills (hitting 229).
Leyden: The Eagles got their first win over Streamwood after losses to Rolling Meadows, Maine East and Vernon Hills.
"We talked as a team at the beginning of the season about what we need to do to be successful and identified two goals: make 90% of our serves in each match and have a positive hitting percentage as a team," said Leyden coach Emmett O'Keefe. "In our first win, we hit both of those goals, and in our three losses we did not."
O'Keefe has been pleased with the defensive development, particularly with the back row defense and serve-receive from senior libero and captain, Olivia Prokop. She is setting the tone for the defense with a team-leading 19 digs, averaging a 1.87 in serve-receive, which is the highest on the team. She also has 4 aces and has not missed a serve on 29 attempts.
Senior outside hitter Antonina Saminska has been another solid contributor. She has 10 kills, second highest on the team, and has played solid defense and brings a sense of calm to the court. She rarely makes errors and is a valued contributor.
Senior setter Aleksandra Manojlovic has 40 assists and has also not missed any serves in her 32 attempts.
Senior outside hitter and captain Sarah Skorna has 21 kills.
"She is the most dangerous offensive weapon we have," O'Keefe said. "She is working to develop more shots in her offensive arsenal and to improve her offensive consistency."
O'Keefe said the Eagles are also getting great leadership, blocking and court presence from their other captain, senior Julia Radziszewski, who is playing both middle and outside hitter.
"Our goal over the next few weeks will be to further integrate her into the offense," he added. “Overall, it has been an inconsistent start to our season but there is a pathway for improvement if the team can commit to fundamental improvements that can lead to on court consistency."
Maine South: After an 11th-place finish in the Crimson Classic and a second-place finish at the Peggy Scholten Invite where Safia Orucevic and Alex Galimski were named all-tournament, the Hawks stood at 8-4.
"We have used a few different lineups to see what works early in the season, and everyone has stepped up and has had a major role in some way so far to start the year," said Hawks coach Jon Weiland.
Senior setter Teagan Heneghan is very close to 750 assists, and has a chance to reach 1,000 by the end of the season.
Senior middle Emily Currey has been a force at the net with 21 blocks and 31 kills. Junior middle Liv Crawford has made herself effective on the court, hitting .526 with 10 kills.
Maine West: The Warriors went 2-2 in the Hoffman Estates Tournament and entered the week with a 3-4 record.
Captain Gwen Wilson, a junior outside hitter, is leading the team in kills (34 kills, 8 total blocks) while averaging about 5 kills per game.
Sophomore OH Jeni Garcia (29 kills) and senior MH Jenna Pettersen are next at 20 kills apiece. Pettersen also has 7 blocks while senior MH Maureen Haisch has 10.
"There has been fierce competition for our defensive specialists," said Warriors coach Nora Feyer. "Olivia Bialek (sophomore DS) has stepped up her game and has the best serve-receive rating on the team (passing a 2.05 average) and a team-high 33 digs."
Bella Jacobshagen (senior DS) and Olivia Wloadarcyzk (junior DS) have contributed with their aggressive serves, consistent passing and defensive digs.
Captain Ava Roback has been leading the team with setting, aggressive serving with a team-high 8 aces, and 31 digs.
Sophomore setter Rosalee Prokrop stepped up last weekend and was a big contributor, allowing the Warriors to run an effective 6-2 offense. "She has a wicked serve and connects really well with our middles," Feyerer added.
Prospect: Prospect won its first home game against Maine West and dropped two close matches with Maine South and Hersey.
"So far the girls are still learning to play together, but have been doing really well," said Prospect first-year coach Alaina Mowinski, whose team is being led by Murray State basketball recruit Allie Linke in offensive stats. "And we are still trying to strengthen our overall defense overall."
St. Viator: Coach Charlie Curtin had the Lions (6-2) on a five-game winning streak to begin the week. The champions of the Hoffman Estates tournament had a few early season injuries that made them adjust a few lineups.
"But we are learning to adjust and thrive with our new lineup," Curtin said. "Abbey Sheldon has really stepped up as a backrow player (team-high 15 aces). Erin Lynch (14 aces, team-high 51 kills, team-high 58 digs) continues to be a solid six-rotation outside.“
Avery Albritton (40 kills, 12 blocks) and Olivia Walberg (32 kills, 6 blocks) are splitting right-side duties. Olive Meyers (76 assists) and Rose Berlen (71 assists) are distributing the ball evenly in the Lions' 6-2 offense.
Gerber said libero Freya McBride has played great defense and has 29 digs. Freshman middle blocker Meghan Matteucci has 12 kills, hitting .221. Right side Mahi Vullakula has 13 kills, hitting .229.
Schaumburg: The Saxons were 4-5 after placing 13th in the Peggy Scholten Invite, winning the copper flight in the 16-team event named for the former Conant hall of fame girls volleyball coach.
Sophomore OH Avery Duever leads the team in aces (12 aces), kills (69) and blocks (7). Senior setter captain Katelynn Caldwell is the team leader in assists (129) and digs (46).
Senior libero Larissa Baldwin has 8 aces, 15 assists and 45 digs while sophomore middle blocker Urte Luksas has registered 6 aces, 22 kills (second on the team), 3 blocks and 3 digs. She missed four matches this past weekend due to injury but was expected back this week.
"Since the summer, this young core has developed a strong sense of cohesion, thanks in large part to Katelynn (Caldwell), who’s performing at an all-conference level," said first-year coach Adam Bloniarz. "She’s the glue that holds our offense together. With dedicated and consistent contributors like Avery (Duever), Urte (Luksas) and Larissa (Baldwin) — teammates who execute their roles exceptionally well — this team is set up for a successful season.
"This year's group is truly exciting. They compete with intensity and have a high offensive ceiling."
Schaumburg Christian: The Conquerors entered this week at 6-1 after hosting a 16-team tournament last weekend.
"It was a good opportunity for all of the teams there to get a chance to play a lot of teams that they would not normally see during their regular season," said Schaumburg Christian coach Steve Burmaster.
The gold division was won by Aurora Christian while Schaumburg Christian took the silver.
Prior to the tournament, Schaumburg Christian defeated Parkview Christian (2-0) and Regina Dominican (2-1).
"So we had developed some confidence going into our tournament," Burmaster said.
The Conquerors went 2-1 in pool play, defeating Larkin and Willows in two sets, then falling to Resurrection in two sets to enter the silver division. They defeated Christian Heritage, 2-0 in the finals, to win the silver division.
"We have five returning starters off of last year's team that went 23-3," Burmaster said. "Therefore, we have lots of good experience, despite being a young team.
"Our setter, Eunice Cho (sophomore) is doing a great job running a 5-1 offense this year after being part of a 6-2 offense last season."
Burmaster said his three primary passers (libero Lydia Lopez, junior OH Sara Perfanov and sophomore Giada Falco) are all very solid passers and stellar defensive players.
"So they keep our passing and digging game consistent, which allows us to extend lots of rallies that often end up in our favor," Burmaster added. "I have also been pleased with our middle blockers who are both newcomers after starting in the same position for last year's 21-win junior varsity team."
Middle blockers Maddie Gross (junior), Lizzie Tomasek (sophomore) and freshman opposite side hitter Harper Bisterfeldt have all made significant contributions.