Girls volleyball Lake County notes: Libertyville takes Ram Slam title in Grayslake; Lakes claims Antioch invite crown
Momentum is on the Libertyville girls volleyball team’s side.
The Wildcats won the recent Grayslake Central Ram Slam tournament and then followed up earlier this week with a big road nonconference win against previously unbeaten Glenbrook North.
Libertyville (11-3 overall) also took third at its own Crosstown Classic where Charlie Fleegle and Claire Evans (team leader in kills with 109) earned all-tournament honors. The Wildcats have won 5 in a row since a pool-play loss to Milwaukee Wisconsin Lutheran.
Coach Greg Loika noted Evans has been attacking “at a very high clip and is certainly a go-to when we need a kill or side out,” he said.
Loika also felt Libertyville’s block was a difference-maker at Grayslake Central and in the big win against Glenbrook North. “Sydney Meyer (senior) and Elle Knight (junior) played extremely well against the talented outsides from teams such as Richmond-Burton, Grayslake Central and Glenbrook North,” he said.
Antioch update: The Sequoits (4-8, 1-0 Northern Lake County) recently went 3-2 in their own Lonergan invitational where Mikayla Haskell (team-leader in kills) was named to the all-tournament team. Nora Ultsch also has been an important offensive contributor for coach Jimmy Lallaman. “Nora and Mikayla have been essential players in our offense and have been making the biggest impact in scoring points and keeping us aggressive against other teams,” he said.
Mia Alanis, Payton Burris and Addie Housh also have been key cogs for Antioch through 12 matches.
Carmel Catholic update: The Corsairs (10-4, 0-1 East Suburban Catholic) have been busy in the early going, finishing fifth out of 16 teams at the Crosstown Classic and third out of eight at Grayslake Central, where they downed a strong Wisconsin Lutheran team. Beca Arreola, a sophomore libero, was named all-tournament at the Crosstown Classic. Carmel started the season 7-1 and 2 of its 3 losses have come against Libertyville.
Carmel’s offense is balanced with the likes of freshman middle Liv Johnson (55 kills, 26 blocks), sophomore outside Peyton Teipel (53 kills), junior middle Kelsey Reim (39 kills) and sophomore outside Scarlett Olszowka (47 kills, 39 digs, 25 aces), while setters Suzy Trznadel (senior, 106 assists, 54 digs, 30 aces) and Charlotte Shepherd (sophomore, 115 assists, 44 digs) run the offense. Arreola had 142 digs to stat the week.
Coach David Pazely has been pleased with the progress of underclassmen Johnson and Arreola. “Liv is a huge presence at the net and brings so much energy to the court in all that she does,” he said. “Beca covers a huge portion of the court for us and has a ton of incredible saves. I have lost count the number of times I look at the other coaches and ask, ‘How did she do that?’”
Grant update: Kara Schubert (team-high 76 kills and 26 blocks) and Zendrea Pfau were all-tournament selections at the Jacobs tournament.
“Zendrea is leading our defense,” Grant coach JP Gizowski said. “She was an outside hitter, but is now a libero. She is dominating the backrow and is fast. Kara is our offensive standout who we can always rely on to put the ball down or shut down another team’s attackers with her block.”
Sienna Enters was the team leader in kills (75) to stat the week for the Bulldogs (4-11, 1-0 Northern Lake County).
Grayslake Central update: The Rams (9-5, 1-0 Northern Lake County to start the week) took second at their own Rams Slam tournament, which included a 2-set win over Carmel Catholic after losing to the Corsairs in 3 the prior weekend.
Ella LaPorte was an all-tournament selection at the Libertyville Crosstown Classic and was leading Central in kills (108) to start the week. “Ella is a force on the outside,” Central coach Arian Colton pointed out.
The Rams also benefit from the play of Madalene Meckl (87 digs, 29 aces) and senior middle Niah Mondesir (33 blocks). “Madalene is playing great defense,” Colton said. “Niah is an emotional leader for us.”
Grayslake North update: The Knights (2-6, 0-1 Northern Lake County) have been paced by strong play from junior right side Ava Werner (23 kills, 11 aces) and senior libero Lucy Roscoe (52 digs).
“Ava is doing a great job,” North coach Nikki Kirchway said. “She has the ability to open areas on our opponents and puts the ball where they are not and/or forces them out of system. She is a great team player who works hard for her team and teammates. Lucy is an amazing libero. She is our best in serve receive. Lucy is mentally tough and is not afraid to dig our opponents’ big hitters. She is a hard worker who puts more than 100% in every time she steps on the court.”
Grace Watschke (22 kills), Abby Dorich (10 aces), Reese Oatsvall (37 assists), Jane Pritchard (31 assists), Abby Dorich (34 digs) and Zuri Ongalo also have been important North contributors.
Lakes update: The Eagles (9-4, 1-0 Northern Lake County) recently won the Elaine Lonergan invitational hosted by Antioch. Brynn Skinner, Isabel Stauber, Lovelyn Zamora and Addison Sundquist were all-tournament selections for Lakes, which started the week riding a 7-match winning streak.
Sammi Madsen (125 assists, 29 aces), Stauber (59 kills), Sundquist (59 kills) and Zamora (102 digs) lead the Eagle in key statistical categories.
“Addison has been outstanding on the right side, bringing high energy and a strong kill efficiency that makes her tough to top,” coach Sarah Yeager said. “Lovelyn set the tone defensively with her relentless pursuit and never-give-up attitude. Not only has she made big defensive plays, but her consistency on first contact allows us to run our offense effectively.”
Lake Zurich update: Sage Olson leads the Bears (8-4) in kills (122) and digs (64 digs) and was named to the all-tournament team at the Libertyville Crosstown Classic. Ella Elsen (141 assists), Arisa Bisofa (20 blocks) and Emerson Smith (24 aces) also have contributed to Lake Zurich’s strong start.
Bears coach Rachel Wiatrowski Sage Olson said Olson, a sophomore, is off to an electric start. “What sets Sage apart isn’t just the numbers, it’s how she plays,” she said. “She’s smart, constantly reading the court and making high-IQ plays that shift momentum in our favor. Her athleticism is undeniable. She’s quick on her feet, strong in the air and relentless in every rally. Even when the pressure is high, Sage doesn’t fold. She rises.”
Elsen, a junior and 3-year varsity setter, went over the 1,000-career assist mark at the Crosstown Classic. “Ella is absolutely tearing it up this season,” Wiatrowski noted. “She’s keeping our hitters in rhythm and our offense firing on all cylinders. What sets Ella apart is her attitude. She’s smart, hard-working and gives everything she has, all while keeping a positive spirit and smile on her face. She’s a leader, a competitor and a key reason why our team continues to grow stronger. We’re lucky to have her setting the tone.”
Vernon Hills update: The Cougars downed Mundelein in 3 sets to move to 4-5 on the young season thanks to 10 kills and 3 aces from junior outside Kiersten Cieslinski, 9 kills from senior outside Annabelle Smith, plus contributions from freshman setter Aria Shah, freshman libero Claire Ayvazian, junior libero Allyson Koetz, junior middle Mya Beitzel and senior setter Alyssa Kopanytsa.
Warren Township update: Lyla Christensen and Hannah Sinclair were all-tournament at Jacobs where the Blue Devils (6-10 overall) put together a 3-match winning streak.
Christensen (138 assists, 23 aces) and Shayla Ray (59 kills, 11 blocks) have been key for Warren. “Lyla has been the true leader we envisioned her becoming, taking control of the offense in a 5-1 system while also stepping up as the emotional heartbeat of the team,” assistant coach Kyle Arnold said. “Shayla brings a swing that is nearly impossible to defend when she’s in rhythm. Her energy and joy is contagious, making her a constant spark on the court. Recently, we have utilized her all the way around just to keep her presence and passion in play as much as possible.”
Sinclair leads the team in digs with 88, while Mia Tanni is tied with Ray for the team lead in blocks with 11.