Girls volleyball notes: Glenbard West, Metea Valley, Huntley off to promising starts
Glenbard West girls volleyball coach Dan Scott can point to a variety of reasons his team got off to a 12-1 record to start the week, which included winning the recent Jacobs invitational in Algonquin where Ella Rowe and Farryn Burridge earned all-tournament honors.
West started the week riding an 8-match winning streak.
“They are a bunch of high-character kids who are fun to be around,” Scott said.
Scott calls setter Cara Herbert, all-tournament at Wheaton North recently, the heart and soul of the team. “Cara was voted co-captain by her teammates and is top three statistically in most categories,” he said.
Libero Erika Jensen also has been a key cog. “Erika has been a steady, calming influence for us,” Scott said. “She has led the defensive effort all season.”
Addison Trail update: The Blazers (2-8) took fourth at Willowbrook recently. Junior outside hitter and captain Giuliana Gallo leads the team in kills (61), digs (42) and aces (13).
Benet Academy update: Benet (8-1) finished third at the recent Plainfield North invite. The Redwings lost to Lockport, which lost to Chicago Marist in the final there.
Coach Brad Baker has been pleased with Claire Weathers’ development at libero. “Claire has stepped into the libero role as a new starter this season, and we continue to see her confidence grow each day. She is quickly becoming a defensive leader for our team, setting the tone with her effort and consistency.”
Glenbard East update: Belle McDermott has been a bright spot for the Rams (3-10). “Belle is putting a lot on her shoulders right now as a go-to hitter for us,” East coach Bradley Cardott said.
Glenbard South update: The Raiders (8-5) finished third at Willowbrook in Villa Park and tied for first at the Rolling Meadows quad but lost on a tiebreaker.
Coach Chad Grant lauded Mia Abate for her improvement and play offensively in recent times, while Callie Hardtke, one of the team’s only seniors, also has excelled. “Mia has made great decisions and hit with great efficiency,” he said. “Callie has been a great leader for us in the early going.”
IC Catholic Prep update: The Knights (4-4) finished second at the Timothy Christian-Westmont tournament. ICCP also split a pair of Girls Catholic Athletic Conference White Division matches with St. Ignatius (lost) and Rosary (won). Senior setter Mary Kate Hilgart, senior libero Julia Guttilla, senior middle Ani Talluto and freshman middle Meggie Goggin have been key difference-makers on the court for coach Karen Russ.
Metea Valley update: The Mustangs (10-2) won the Willowbrook tournament in Villa Park with a 5-0 record with victories against Addison Trail, Coal City and Trinity in pool play and Glenbard South and Willowbrook in bracket action.
Metea received key contributions from the likes of Olivia Stewart (20 kills, 6 aces, 7 blocks), Alana Schille (16 kills, 4 blocks), Katie Wagner (15 kills, 17 digs, 6 aces), Ashley Ward (58 assists, 23 digs, 9 kills, 5 aces), Ava Guzaski (30 digs, 6 aces), Sienna Bialek (11 digs, 5 aces) and Eileen Wilson (9 digs, 8 aces).
Montini update: The Broncos (6-5 overall) received all-tournament award performances from Hope Garland, Moria Quirk and Francesca Lorenzo at the Metea Valley tournament.
Naperville Central update: Naperville Central (6-6) won the West Aurora invitational title with a 4-0 mark and did not drop a set. “The team is starting to play great, selfless volleyball and stating to gel as a team,” coach Eric Kaisling said.
Caroline Impey logged 37 kills and 7 aces at West Aurora, while Kaylee Buda had 24 digs and passed at a 2.08 (on a 3.0 scale).
Naperville North update: The Huskies (5-2) took fourth out of 16 teams at the recent Conant invite. Junior Joelle Pye-Blacknard was named to the all-tournament team. The strong showing at Conant (including a win against Fremd on its home court) capped off a stretch of 7 matches in 4 days. “The team continues to work hard and build team chemistry on and off the court,” coach Nate Bornancin said.
St. Francis update: The Spartans (5-2), helped by all-tournament selection Holly Muisenga, took third at the Peggy Sholten tournament at Conant in Hoffman Estates with wins against St. Charles East and Naperville North.
St. Francis coach Lisa Ston said Muisenga and Mackenzie Krzus have gotten off to hot starts from their setter and right-side attacking positions. “They are taking on huge roles in running our offense,” she said. “Not only are they our current kill leaders, but they are also 6-rotation players who impact every part of the game.”
Westmont update: Kotryna Vanagas (82 kills, 43 digs, 13 aces) and Layla Bunch (35 kills, .300-plus hitting, 23 digs) have powered the Sentinels (4-3), who took IC Catholic Prep, Trinity and Latin to 3 games at the Westmont-Timothy Christian tournament.
Wheaton North update: Junior 6-rotation outside Annalouisa Marchis is off to a hot start for the Falcons (5-3, 1-0 DuKane after a win against Lake Park), earning all-tournament accolades at the Wheaton North Blue and Gold tournament and posting 54 kills in the team’s first 16 sets while hitting .340.
Senior setter Sophia Ohashi and libero Abby Lee also have been factors for the Falcons, whose 3 losses all have come by narrow margins (2 were in 3 sets after having won the first set and the other was to 7-1 York by a combined 7 points).
Willowbrook update: The Warriors (5-3 overall) opened West Suburban Gold play with a win against Leyden. The Warriors also took second out of 8 teams at their own invite. Evelyn Lammers (42 kills), Kendall Norton (111 assists, 12 aces), Tess Doyle (55 digs) and Julia Amin (13 blocks) lead the way for Irene Mason’s squad.
Lammers, a freshman, and Doyle, a junior, have been much-needed additions to the team, Mason noted. “The strength and focus Evelyn shows as a freshman has been incredible,” she said. “Tess’s defensive intensity is electric. She’s a vocal leader who loves to compete.”
York update: The Dukes (7-1) won the Wheaton North tournament defeating West Suburban Conference Silver Division opponent Downers Grove North in the title match. York lost no sets in the matches it played at Wheaton North.
Amalia Toliopoulos and Katie Day earned all-tournament honors. Toliopoulos, who has transitioned from a 5-1 setter to York’s 6-2 offense this year, was leading the team in assists and was second in kills, while Day was the team leader in kills to start the week. Coach Danny Piwowarczyk said York’s passing has kept its offense consistently in rhythm thanks in big part to sophomore libero Lila Bennis, sophomore 6-rotation outside Eileen Carroll and defensive specialists Emma Braathen and Allison Fehlberg.
Fox Valley
Huntley update: The Huntley girls volleyball team is getting things done thanks to the contributions of many.
Coach Karen Naymola has been particularly pleased with the play of Boise State University beach volleyball commit Izzy Whitehouse and Rachel Hein.
“Izzy is swinging outside for us and consistently finding ways to score,” she said. “Rachel is a super versatile player we make do a little bit of everything.”
Izzy Whitehouse leads the team in kills, while Hein is tops in aces. Abigail Whitehouse is tops in assists and Sophia Tocmo in digs for the Red Raiders, who started the week 4-1 overall and a perfect 4-0 in Fox Valley Conference action.
Aurora Central Catholic: Junior libero Marisa Schupbach and sophomore outside Isabel Perez were all-tournament picks for the Chargers at the Schaumburg Christian tournament where ACC had a big 3-set win over Regina Dominican. Senior setter Karen Bohr was all-tournament at Chicago Christian where the Chargers (8-6) finished in the top eight. Coach Becky Ramey said junior Anny Gambro and senior Leah Burscheid continue to impress in the middle with strong blocking presence and the highest hitting percentages on the team.
Aurora Christian update: The Eagles won the Schaumburg Christian Conquer Classic with a perfect 5-0 mark (10-0 in sets). Aurora Christian downed Walther Christian, North Shore Country Day, Trinity Oaks, Resurrection and Aurora Central Catholic on its way to the title.
Senior outside hitter-defensive specialist Hope Wagner (57 kills, 24 digs, 9 aces in the tournament) was named the MVP, while senior libero Ashlyn Aseltine (60 digs, 10 aces, 10 assists) and sophomore middle Gabriella Cotto (21 kills, 8 aces, 3 blocks) joined Wagner on the all-tournament team. The Eagles took a perfect 12-0 record into this week’s action.
Cary-Grove update: Lucy Wittenberg, the team’s kills leader, was an all-tournament selection at Jacobs last weekend. Coach Taylor Rominski noted senior libero Anna Klimek has been a great leader and constant in the back row, while freshman Kara Dunker has excelled as a defensive specialist and presents a tough serve and a high motor pursuing the volleyball. Cary-Grove started the week 2-8 overall and 1-4 in Fox Valley Conference play.
Geneva update: Coach Lauren Kosecki noted Emma Peterson and Kai Davenport have “done a great job contributing to this young team,” she said. “We are constantly learning and growing each day and with each match. It’s great to see players step up.” Geneva started the week 3-6 overall.
Bartlett update: The Hawks won the U-46 tournament at the end of August and stood at 4-4 to start the week. Sam Buss (43 kills, 16 aces) and Brianna Petrasiunas (25 kills, 11 blocks) lead the way for Bartlett.
Hampshire update: The Whip-Purs got off to a 5-0 Fox Valley Conference start, including a key win against Prairie Ridge, and stood at 8-3 overall to start the week. Elizabeth King leads the team in kills and aces, while Kylie Lambert is tops in assists and Peyton Wurtz in digs.
Harvest-Westminster co-op update: The Harvest Christian-Westminster Christian co-op team scored a recent win over larger-enrollment Chicago Latin School. Freshman Karis Meeker leads Harvest-Westminster (5-3, 1-0 Northeastern Athletic) in kills, hitting percentage and aces. Sophomore captain Amelia Herther also was cited for strong play, particularly on defense and in the leadership department, coach Will Benenhaley noted.
South Elgin update: Senior setter Paige Genke passed the 1,000 career assist mark during the first week of the season for the Storm (5-3), who brought a 5-game winning streak into the week. Freshman outside Camryn Boyd (68 kills), Alena Amel (20 blocks), Genke (151 assists), Julia Pachuta (69 digs), Bri Decheva (63 digs) and Kiersten Lenox (7 assists) are the team’s statistical leaders. Senior Cassie Verley, coach Jesse Bossenga noted, has solidified the Storm’s attack on the right side, giving the team the ability to spread the ball around and score all along the net.
St. Charles East update: Sophomore libero Gianna Gjokaj was named all-tournament at Conant after posting 30 digs (average of 6 per match) in helping the Saints (2-6, 0-1 DuKane) finish eighth out of 16 teams. Kaylee McInnis (65 kills), Ava Romero (8 blocks), Gjokaj (44 digs), McInnis (44 digs) and Tessa Schneider (10 aces) were leading the team statistically to start the week. Sophomore middle Nora Lange also continues to improve drastically each day, coach Lynnette Summins noted.
West Aurora update: The Blackhawks (7-5) recently went 3-1 at their own Blackhawk invitational. West Aurora started the week having won 6 of its last 8 matches.
Team statistical leaders heading into the tournament included Natalie Mitchell (47 kills), Sydney Wagner (.483 hitting), Jocelyn Guerrero (8 aces), Janiyah Ricks (12 blocks), Addison Taylor (11 blocks), Janessa Garia (39 digs) and Ella Maxwell (124 assists). Wagner, a captain, is coming off an injury, coach Alyssa Farney noted.
Farney has been pleased with how Mitchell and Division II Michigan Tech recruit Maxwell have played out of the gates. “Natalie has been playing at a high level,” she said. “She swings with tremendous power. As a junior, she is steadily developing her leadership skills under the guidance of our senior captains. Ella has been a driving force running our 5-1 system. She has embraced her role as one of our captains, has led the team with poise and has grown into the strong, steady leader we’ve been looking for.”