Girls volleyball Fox Valley notes: Aurora Christian adds to its trophy case; Geneva making move to 3A for postseason

The Aurora Christian girls volleyball team has been racking up the frequent trophy miles this fall.

Coach Mayra Johnson’s Eagles team won the Schaumburg Christian, Wheaton Academy and Chicago Christian invites and brought a 12-match winning streak into the week. ACS is 19-2 overall.

Senior outside Hope Wagner (243 kills,, 5.2 kills per set, .332 hitting) was the tournament MVP at Schaumburg Christian, while Gabbie Cotto and libero Ashlyn Aseltime (232 digs, 4.9 digs per set 41 aces) joined her on the all-tournament team. Breanna Hard was the Chicago Christian MVP, while Wagner was first-team all-tournament and Cotto made the second team. Aseltime is the Chicagoland Christian Conference leader in digs and is ranked highly in that category among Class 1A players and statewide. Wagner is second in the conference in kills per set and fifth among Class 1A players.

Aurora Central Catholic update: The Chargers were benefactors of a recent 5-match winning streak and brought a 16-10 overall mark into the week (2-1 Girls Catholic Athletic).

Abby Gambro (.361 hitting, key kills in wins against De La Salle and Rosary), Leah Burscheid, Karan Bohr (247 assists) and Marissa Schupbach (187 digs) have been key performers for the Chargers. Coach Becky Ramey noted outside hitters Abigail Brinka and Isabel Perez have made a difference in winning the serve-pass game.

Batavia update: Morgan Raiser (120 kills, 117 assists, 27 aces) has been named to 2 all-tournament teams this fall for the Bulldogs (12-14, 2-2 DuKane to start the week), while Ashley Bernal (127 assists), Olivia Dibiase (66 kills, 16 blocks) and Delaney Wik (103 digs, 227 receptions against only 12 errors) are also having notable seasons. Coach Tom Barry applauded the play of Raiser and middle Penny Shultz. “Morgan and Penny have been incredible at the net,” he said. “Penny being a middle, she doesn’t get a lot of attention, but she forces so many people out of system with her block. Morgan is always our most consistent and best player.”

Burlington Central update: Senior Haidyn Schatz ranks second in the Fox Valley in kills (159), fourth in aces and second in digs (174), while junior Ainsley Wilson is second in the conference in hitting percentage (.271) and leads the FVC in total blocks (41). Junior setter Tiernan Naus is third in the league in assists (235). Schatz recently surpassed the 500-career dig plateau, while Wilson is over 100 career blocks now, as is senior Julia Johnson, who put down 5 kills in 1 set against Jacobs.

Central started the week 14-9 and 6-6 in FVC action on the heels of sweeps of Cary-Grove and Jacobs. “We are looking to continue to be competitive in a very strong FVC and to repeat as regional champions,” coach Julia Smagacz said.

Geneva update: The Vikings (12-13 overall) started the week tied for second in the DuKane Conference at 3-1 and were riding a 5-match winning streak.

Of note lately, Ally Stevenson (362 assists) earned all-tournament honors at Downers Grove South. Emma Peterson leads Geneva with 209 kills, while Kai Davenport is tops in hitting percentage (.340) and blocks (29). Lexi Meives leads the way with 203 digs.

Interim head coach Kris Hasty noted Geneva will compete in its newly appointed Class 3A postseason classification. “We have played all 4A schools throughout the year and feel that strength of schedule will be in our favor,” she said.

Harvest-Westminster co-op update: The Harvest Christian-Westminster Christian co-op team started the week 11-6 overall and 5-1 in Northeastern Athletic action. Harvest-Westminster, which enjoyed a recent 5-match winning streak, currently sits in second heading into next weekend’s conference tournament (only league loss to South Beloit with multiple players missing due to illness, coach Will Benenhaley noted).

Karis Meeker leads the team in kills, and was cited along with Amelia Herther for their general excellence on the court. “After changing our defense, Karis and Amelia are making all communication happen to make our defense and offense be successful,” Benenhaley said.

Kaneland update: Knights coach Cynthia Violett lauded the recent play of Grace Remsen (23 blocks), Abi Carter (26 aces) and Zoe Kraus (200 digs).

“Grace has done well blocking and finding the court to put the ball down,” she said. “Abi has stepped it up with her leadership and serving and Zoe has stepped up with her leadership on the court and want for every dig.”

Violett noted the team’s 6-17 overall mark (2-2 in Interstate Eight play) is not indicative of where Kaneland is at currently. “We had a rough start with many injuries and adding 2 freshmen to the starting rotation,” she said. “Our record doesn’t reflect our talent since we play many high-level teams throughout the season.”

St. Charles East update: The Saints (8-11, 1-3 DuKane to start the week) recently took second at the Woodstock invitational, winning 3 matches there.

Senior Kaylee McInnis has been an all-around performer for East (team-high 208 kills, 140 digs and 19 aces), while sophomore Francesca Fevold (team-high 174 assists) and senior Ava Romero (29 blocks) also have been mainstays. Gianna Gjokaj earned all-tournament honors at Conant.

“Kaylee has been consistent all season in every aspect,” coach Lynnette Summins said. “Francesca continues to make improvements in her abilities to run a consistent offense, work hard on defense and steps into roles as a setter and right-side attacker seamlessly.”

South Elgin update: Things are looking up for the Storm, which started the week 17-6 and 4-0 in Upstate Eight West action. South Elgin faces West Aurora next week in a match Storm coach Jesse Bossenga noted should decide the league race.

Right-side hitter Cassie Verley (second in kills with 95) and middle Alena Amel (team-high 46 blocks) are firing on all cylinders. “Cassie has continued to impress as an attacker on the right side,” Bossenga said. “She has scored huge points for us as a primary attacker. The ability to spread the ball across the net and score with Cassie on the right takes a lot of pressure off the rest of our front row. Alena has blocked so well. She helps to set up a strong defense behind her and her offense has picked up, which gives us another scoring option.”

Camryn Boyd (team-best 179 kills), Paige Genke (373 assists, 31 assists), Julia Pachuta (151 digs), Brianna Decheva (140 kills), Kate Fenner (27 blocks) and Kiersten Lenox (21 aces) also continue to contribute to South Elgin’s success.

West Aurora update: The Blackhawks (15-8, 3-0 to start the week) are neck and neck with South Elgin in the Upstate Eight West race. Michigan Tech commit Ella Maxwell has 414 setting assists and has 500-plus in her sights, coach Alyssa Farney pointed out. Defensive stalwart Angelina Ortiz leads the team with 123 digs and Sydney Wagner, Farney added, has been a dominant all-around outside hitter. “Sydney continue to shine as a key force on offense and defense,” she said.