Girls volleyball season preview: Scouting Lake County
Antioch Sequoits
Coach: Jimmy Lallaman (2nd season)
Last year’s record: 16-14, 5-2 (3rd place Northern Lake County)
Top returning players: Mikayla Haskell (5-10, sr., MB), Nora Ultsch (5-10, jr., OH)
Key newcomers: Ewa Bomba (5-8, fresh., OH), Brooke White (5-7, fresh., OH-RS)
Worth noting: Haskell is back after recording 150 kills and 75 blocks, while Ultsch posted 130 kills as a sophomore. “Mikayla has a lot of knowledge and physical skill that can make opposing teams’ defense shudder when she goes up to hit,” Lallaman said. “Nora has improved immensely. She is dedicated to the team and not afraid to swing freely.” Lallaman has also been encouraged with the progress junior Payton Burris has made. “Payton is dedicated to keeping the ball alive and is starting to take control of the defense on her side of the net,” Lallaman noted. Versatility/players being able to play multiple positions will be a strength, Lallaman said. “Most of the hitters have the ability to be in different positions to keep our offense mixed up,” he said. “We also have a lot of hard-working players on defense who have the push to keep the ball alive.” Lallaman said Lakes and Grayslake Central with a lot of returning varsity talent and a lot of volleyball IQ are two teams to keep a watch out for. “The conference outlook is looking very competitive,” he said.
Carmel Catholic Corsairs
Coach: David Pazely (15th season)
Last year’s record: 18-19, 1-5 (6th East Suburban Catholic)
Top returning players: Kelsey Reim (5-11, jr., MB), Charlotte Shepherd (5-9, soph., S), Scarlett Olszowka (5-9, soph., OH)
Key newcomers: Rebeca Arreola (5-5, soph., libero), Brailyn Albanese (5-10, soph., OH), Liv Johnson (6-1, fresh.)
Worth noting: Shepherd, who earned an all-American honor at nationals for her club team this summer, posted 577 assists, 49 kills and 34 blocks on the way to an all-area selection last year as a freshman, while Reim had 91 kills and 45 blocks. “We will be an aggressive serving team,” Pazely said. “We have scrappy defenders, will put up a strong block and have the speed to transition defense into offense.” Pazely likes that the roster features multiple players who can hit a heavy ball. “Being able to terminate from every position will keep our offense balanced and defenses guessing,” he said. In-system play has been a big help on defense. “Our defensive specialists have been getting us in system, but there’s always room for improvement in our serve-receive,” Pazely said. “Our pins are athletic and play good defense, and our block is going to cause a lot of teams a lot of problems.” Johnson, Pazely noted, is already getting Division I basketball offers, “but could go D-I for volleyball if she wanted to,” he said. Albanese “is still growing at 5-10 and is an incredibly dynamic athlete from both pins and as a setter,” Pazely said. Looking at the East Suburban Catholic, Pazely said every match will be a challenge. “It would be great if we could get 3-4 wins in conference this year,” he said. “Benet and Marist played each other in the state finals last year and could do it again this year. They are D-I universities playing high school volleyball. It’s incredible.”
Grant Bulldogs
Coach: JP Gizowski (3rd season)
Last year’s record: 10-24, 2-5 (6th Northern Lake County)
Top returning players: Kara Schubert (6-1, soph., MB), Zendrea Pfau (5-5, jr., DS-libero), Sienna Enters (5-10, soph., OH)
Key newcomers: Cameron Barr (5-10, jr., S-RS), Jersey Kettner (5-9, fresh., MB)
Worth noting: Schubert (103 kills, 62 blocks), Pfau (164 digs) and Enters (96 kills) were all-Northern Lake County Conference honorees a year ago. Gisowski said strong middles (led by Schubert) and smart shots from the outside will fuel the Bulldogs’ offense, while a big middle block and a scrappy mentality will power the defense. “They keep the ball up,” he said. “Our defense will chase every ball and manage a way to get it over the net.” Schubert and Pfau have been on the varsity since their freshman years, “and are only getting stronger,” Gisowski said. Barr is another Grant player to keep an eye on as a setter and hitter. Gisowski said Grayslake Central and Lakes are 2 teams in the league to watch. “We are hoping to compete with them,” he said.
Grayslake Central Rams
Coach: Arian Colton
Last year’s record: 31-6, 7-0 (Northern Lake County champions)
Top returning players: Niah Mondesir (sr., MB), Ella LaPorte (sr., OH), Madalene Meckl (sr., libero)
Key newcomers: Amiyah Miller (jr., MB)
Worth noting: LaPorte and Meckl were all-NLCC selections from a team that topped the 30-win barrier and ran the table in the conference. Strengths, Colton said, include big hitters on the roster and ball control. “The variety of our offense and our ball control and ball pursuit will be our strengths,” she said. Two more players to watch for the Rams include Jisselle Mejia and Alivia Salzman. “Jisselle will take on a big role this year due to her amazing ball control and shot variety,” Colton explained. “Alivia will help run our offense as a sophomore setter.” Colton said she expects Lakes to again be a top team in the NLCC. “We look to compete for the title again this year,” she said.
Grayslake North Knights
Coach: Nikki Kirchway (3rd season)
Last season’s record: 11-25, 4-3 (4th Northern Lake County)
Top returning players: Caelynn Chapman (sr., RS), Reese Oatsvall (sr., S), Zuri Ongalo (sr., MB), Jane Pritchard (sr., S), Lucy Roscoe (sr., DS-libero), Grace Watschke (sr., OH), Ava Werner (jr., RS
Key newcomers: Abby Dorich (sr., DS), Raygen Moore (sr., MB), Laila Verber (sr., OH)
Worth noting: Roscoe and Watschke made the all-Northern Lake County team in 2024 and are joined by Werner, Oatsvall and Pritchard as some of the Knights’ key returners. “Grace will be our go-to outside hitter. She has a variety of shots and will get many kills this season,” Kirchway said. “Ava is a great right-side player. She is smart and sees the court really well. Lucy is one of the top defenders and is our best serve-receive player. Reese and Jane will help run the court as setters.” Kirchway said defense is a major strength this fall. “We will be a strong defensive team,” she said. “We are working on being faster and smarter than our opponents offensively. Another one of our strengths is we are a strong out-of-system team and will get an attack the majority of the time. Our serve-receive and passing will be very strong again.”
Lake Zurich Bears
Coach: Rachel Wiatrowski
Last season’s record: 14-18
Top returning players: Sage Olson (soph, S), Emerson Smith (jr., OH), Ella Elsen (jr., S), Greta Roscoe (sr., MB)
Worth noting: Olson was an all-North Suburban Conference selection as a freshman last season, while Smith was all-NSC as well. “We have had a lot of growth this offseason,” Wiatrowski said. “Our strengths this season will be the IQ we are seeing both on and off the court.” Wiatrowski noted Olson and Elsen are running “a great offense and will have great connections with our hitters,” she said. Wiatrowski added Smith is fresh off a highly successful club season.
Lakes Eagles
Coach: Sarah Yeager (6th season)
Last year’s record: 21-15, 6-1 (2nd, Northern Lake County), Class 3A regional champions
Top returning players: Ray Sundquist (5-10, jr., RS), Lovelyn Zamora (5-5, jr., libero)
Key newcomers: Brynn Skinner (5-8, soph., OH), Isabel Stauber (5-9, jr., OH), Sammi Madsen (5-11, jr., S)
Worth noting: Sundquist (140 kills) is a returning all-Northern Lake County Conference selection, while Zamora posted 263 digs and 41 aces as a sophomore. “Though this team is young, it is built on strong leadership and driven by high-level competitors,” Yeager noted. “With outstanding team chemistry and a relentless pursuit of the game, we will compete with purpose, passion and unity.” Speed and confidence are in abundance offensively for the Eagles. “I like the speed of our offense and our team’s confidence in taking smart, calculated risks,” Yeager said. “Many of our attackers have a high volleyball IQ and consistently prioritize the smart play over the flashy one.” Yeager explained Lakes works hard on blocking and first contact, “and that focus will remain a priority throughout the season,” she said. “Defensively, our team has a relentless, never-say-die attitude, and I love the intensity with which we pursue every ball.” Sundquist, Yeager added, has the ability to take over games with her competitive edge and presence on the court. “She’s a high-level competitors and someone our team will rely on in pressure moments,” she said. Yeager feels Skinner and Stauber also are poised to make noise this fall. “Brynn is a fierce competitor and a natural leader, always ready to step up and make big plays,” she said. “I expect her to emerge as one of the top athletes in our area this season. Isabel competes at a high level and will be one of our go-to attackers. We’ll rely on her leadership and ability to deliver in big moments to help drive our team’s success.”
Libertyville Wildcats
Coach: Greg Loika (16th season)
Last year’s record: 26-13, 5-2 (2nd North Suburban), Class 4A sectional finalist
Top returning players: Charlie Fleegle (jr., libero), Claire Evans (sr., OH), Avery Maddux (sr., MB), Elle Knight (jr.), Ella Obourn (jr., DS), Ella Sazy (sr., MB)
Worth noting: While Libertyville graduated 9 seniors from last year’s regional title and league runner-up team, it does return plenty. Fleegle (344 digs, 63 aces) and Evans (220 kills) were all-state honorable-mention selections and were joined on the all-NSC team by Knight (188 kills). Fleegle is committed to Illinois State, while Maddux is committed to the Naval Academy. Loika said defense, transitional offense and multiple scoring weapons from multiple locations will be Libertyville’s best friends this season. Specifically, Loika likes how the Wildcats’ defense, an annual staple, is shaping up. “With a tall front row and passers like Charlie and Ella returning in the back row, we will be experienced and cover a lot of ground,” he said. “We’ll have youthful setting, but lots of offensive options to target, which will make us difficult to match up against.” Loika added Evans and Knight have looked “tremendous on the pins — offensively hitting at a very high clip,” in workouts, while he feels Maddux could have a stellar season in the middle. “Avery is a tremendous force on the net as a blocker as well,” Loika said. Conference-wise, Loika points to usual suspects Stevenson, Warren and a loaded Lake Zurich team. “It should be a competitive season,” he said.
Mundelein Mustangs
Coach: Jeff Blezien (2nd season)
Last year’s record: 24-14, 5-2 (3rd North Suburban), Class 4A regional champions
Top returning players: Bella Snow (sr., S), Sophia Mitry (sr., MB)
Key newcomers: Caitlyn Pyke (jr., libero), Tanner Leedle (jr., OH), Allison Tableman (jr., S)
Outlook: Mundelein is coming off winning its first regional title since 2009 and enjoyed an upper-tier finish in the tough North Suburban Conference. Snow (382 assists, 176 digs, 102 kills, 57 aces) was an all-NSC and All-Area selection, while Mitry, technically a junior who will be graduating early and is looking at D-II and D-III colleges, Blezien noted, was honorable mention all-NSC after posting 100 kills, 38 blocks and 30 aces as a junior. Blezien is excited about the Mustangs’ serving and floor defense capabilities. “Our offense is going to be a work in progress throughout the season, but we should have a balanced attack and be able to score from multiple positions on the court,” he said. “Our defense should be our strength. We will put up a solid block, and we are an athletic and scrappy team. We should be able to stress teams with our defense.” Blezien has high hopes for Pyke on the defensive end. On the conference front, Blezien points to Libertyville, Stevenson and Lake Zurich as teams of particular note heading into the season.
Stevenson Patriots
Coach: Tim Crow (24th season)
Last year’s record: 22-16, 6-1 (North Suburban co-champions); Class 4A regional champions
Top returning players: Ryler Bondad (5-7, jr., S), Abigail Inman (5-10, jr., OH), Maya Patryarcha (5-11, jr., MB), Audri Linnane (5-11, jr., RS), Nomin Baterdene (5-9, sr., OH), Neha Manchikalapati (5-10, sr., MB)
Key newcomers: Lexi Randle EL (5-9, sr., libero), Cate Taborek (5-10, soph., MB), Lydia Fakhoury (5-10, fresh., OH), Ava Albin (5-7, sr., libero), Priscilla Weisner (5-8, soph., OH), Jane Tan (5-8, jr., S), Zuzanna Wal (5-6, jr., libero), Alexa Karcz (5-10, sr., RS), Emma Matula (5-9, sr., MB)
Worth noting: Crow, in his 24th season in Lincolnshire, has a deep roster to work with. “We have a lot of depth to make competition better every day at practice,” he said. Stevenson brings back 4 players who started as 10th graders last season “and know what it means to compete at the varsity level,” Crow said. Bondad (601 assists, 170 digs, 49 aces) and Inman (201 kills, 215 digs, 49 aces) are returning all-NSC selections. Patryarcha had 61 blocks and 47 kills, while Linnane posted 140 kills and 38 blocks a year ago. “We have 2 strong setters and a number of hitters who can be effective from different areas of the floor,” Crow said. “Our floor game looks to be solid. We have multiple kids who are comfortable in that role.” Crow puts the Patriots in that upper-tier of the NSC along with Libertyville and Lake Zurich.
Round Lake Panthers
Coach: Alma Sierra (1st season)
Last year’s record: 2-20, 1-6 (7th Northern Lake County)
Top returning players: Rylee Dominowski (sr., OH), Lelani Glover (sr., RS), Eisani Perez (sr., libero-DS)
Key newcomers: Grace Hadick (soph., OH), Briseida Ortega (jr., DS)
Worth noting: Dominowski and Glover earned all-NLCC honors last season. “Our strengths are the desire to work hard and put the team first above all else,” Sierra said. Sierra noted the Panthers are working hard to improve technique and creativity on offense, while also showing constant hustle and determination on defense to defend each point better than the one before. “The entire team brings energy and dedication to the court,” she said. Sierra said while Dominowski brings power and creativity offensively on the pin and in the middle, her leadership skills also stand out. “She leads by example, setting the tone for work ethic and communication on and off the court,” she said. Sophomore Hadick, Sierra noted, brings elite-level instincts to the court. “Don’t let her age fool you,” she said. “Her hustle, anticipation and strong arm swing will make her a cornerstone of the team and future of the program.” Ortega was also lauded for her defensive skills. “Briseida is quickly establishing herself as one of the top defensive players in the program,” Sierra said. “Her constant hustle and determination to get as many balls up as possible, as well as her coachability, make her every coaches and teammates’ dream player.”
Vernon Hills Cougars
Coach: Max Spiglanin (3rd season)
Last year’s record: 23-14, 5-1 (2nd Central Suburban North)
Top returning players: Annabelle Smith (5-7, sr., OH), Emma Isakhanian (5-10, sr., MB), Kiersten Cieslinski (6-0, jr., OH-MB-RS)
Key newcomers: Mya Beitzel (6-0, jr., MB), Allyson Koetz (5-4, jr., libero), Claire Ayvazian (5-6, fresh., DS-libero), Aria Shah (5-6, fresh., S)
Worth noting: Smith (116 kills, 71 digs, 36 aces), Isakhanian (81 kills, 27 blocks, 15 aces) and Cieslinski (215 kills, 118 digs, 42 aces) are back from a Cougars team that finished second to Niles West in the Central Suburban North and advanced to a Class 3A title match. Isakhanian and Cieslinski (verbally committed to Division I Marshall University) also were All-Area selections. “We have an exciting mix of veteran leadership, versatile hitters and a deep incoming class that will push competition in the gym every day,” Spiglanin said. “Our balance across positions and ability to adapt will be key.” Spiglanin said Vernon Hills will benefit from multiple offensive threats at every rotation, “with hitters who can score from anywhere on the court,” he said. “Our versatility gives us the ability to run different looks and keep defenses guessing.” A strong serve-receive core, a scrappy back row and an improved blocking presence at the net are reasons for optimism on defense, Spiglanin said. “If we can focus and thrive in these areas, it will take us a long way this season.” Spiglanin said Smith is stepping into a larger offensive role with leadership on and off the court, while Isakhanian is ready for a bounce-back year after injury. “Emma is an impact player at the net on both sides of the ball,” he said. The coach also applauded Cieslinski as a versatile, high-impact player capable of dominating in all 3 front-row positions. Spiglanin said Niles West will again be a top division contender, while Niles North always provides a competitive matchup.
Warren Township Blue Devils
Coach: Yun Chen (7th season)
Last year’s record: 21-16, 6-1 (North Suburban co-champions)
Top returning players: Lyla Christensen (sr., S), Shayla Ray (RS)
Worth noting: Christensen was an all-NSC pick as a junior after posting 588 assists, 63 aces and 58 kills. “I really like the versatility of our offense,” Chen said. “Lyla does a great job of distributing the ball, and while we’re a young team without a single go-to hitter, that works to our advantage. Opponents won’t be able to key in on one player which should keep defenses honest and guessing throughout the match.” Chen said the defensive side is still a work in progress, but serve-receive and passing will be keys to the team’s success. “We have multiple defensive specialists competing hard for those important spots,” Chen said. Blocking also is improving. “Blocking is coming along as our front-row players improve their timing and communication. We know strong defense will fuel our transition game, so it’s a big point of emphasis for us.” Chen labels chemistry and competitiveness as the Blue Devils’ biggest strengths. “They are a tight-knit team that pushes each other every day in practice and that connection shows on the court,” Chen said. “We also have a good balance of experienced upperclassmen and hungry younger players, which gives us depth across multiple positions.” Ray moves over from the middle to the right side, which Chen pointed out, will give her more hitting and blocking opportunities.
Wauconda Bulldogs
Coach: Melissa Hales (2nd season)
Last year’s record: 11-25, 3-4 (5th Northern Lake County)
Top returning players: Laci Smith (5-8, sr., OH-DS), Makayla Berg (soph., OH), Avery Geoghan (jr., S)
Key newcomers: Sophie Giles (fr., OH)
Outlook: Smith is back after undergoing surgery about halfway through last season. Prior to her injury, she posted 66 kills, 83 digs and 13 aces in 11 matches. “Laci his back from surgery after a strong club season and is motivated to leave a mark on this team and program her senior season,” Hales said. Berg finished with 66 kills, 56 digs and 13 aces as a freshman, while Geoghan had 335 assists, 44 kills and 43 aces. “Makayla shared time as a freshman and has grown and matured a lot over the club season,” Hales said. “We will rely on her more this season. I can see her motivation driving her to be a standout player. Avery ran a 5-1 offense last year and has improved with her setting and consistency and location.” Hales noted the Bulldogs have a good amount of returning players to go with “some great, new additions,” she said. “Our strengths are our team defense with blocking, digging and hustle) and we have some added offensive power. I like the strength and consistency of our outsides and versatility in the middle and right side. I feel we have a very strong blocking team as our first line of defense against our opponents’ offense,” Hales said. Lakes and Grayslake Central figure to be tough in conference. “We have goals to finish in the top half and I feel strongly that our athletes have worked hard to have a stronger team this year.”